Christmas Guided Walking Tour in York
Overview
90 minute Daily Festive Walking Tours, exploring the History, Tales and Traditions of Christmases Past. The streets of York have been witness to celebrations for nearly 2000 years. Explore the medieval streets beneath the twinkling lights and discover the traditions and history of this Wonderful Winter City.
Put your Christmas Jumper on and join Blue Badge Tourist Guide, Sarah Cowling, for a socially distanced experience to capture the Spirit of Christmas. Discover if York really England's most Christmassy City? Where did Rudolph get his Red Nose from? Which Grinch tried to cancel Christmas? and Which famous author read his stories in York and made us a present of Boxing Day?
We will hear tales of Christmas Past, from the bacchanalian celebrations of Roman Britain to the Midwinter Feasts of the Vikings. They have all left their mark on our festivities today
Come and get into the spirit of things in Britain's original Christmas City - we might even find some takeaway mulled wine!
Put your Christmas Jumper on and join Blue Badge Tourist Guide, Sarah Cowling, for a socially distanced experience to capture the Spirit of Christmas. Discover if York really England's most Christmassy City? Where did Rudolph get his Red Nose from? Which Grinch tried to cancel Christmas? and Which famous author read his stories in York and made us a present of Boxing Day?
We will hear tales of Christmas Past, from the bacchanalian celebrations of Roman Britain to the Midwinter Feasts of the Vikings. They have all left their mark on our festivities today
Come and get into the spirit of things in Britain's original Christmas City - we might even find some takeaway mulled wine!
Inclusions
- Guided Walking Tour from Professional Blue Badge Tourist Guide
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: York Minster, Minster Yard Deangate, York YO1 7HH England
Did the first Christmas Festival take place here in 521AD? What is on the Altar at York Minster? Shelter in the shadow of this magnificent Gothic Minster and marvel at the Christmas Festivals this part of York has seen over the last 1500 Years.
Pass By: York Theatre Royal, St. Leonards Place, York YO1 7HD England
We pass by the Theatre Royal as we venture to another historical cultural venue and find out the significance of a Victorian Author who created Christmas as we know it.
Pass By: York Mansion House, St. Helens Square, York YO1 9QL England
York - The Chocolate City. Christmas wouldn't be complete without this festive York-born treat!
Pass By: Stonegate, York YO1 8AW England
Enjoy the wonderful lights and hear stories of medieval Christmas and the shopping of Christmas past.
Pass By: The Roman Bath, 9 St. Sampsons Square, York YO1 8RN England
What happened at Saturnalia, the Roman December festival? What did we take from it for our celebrations today.
Pass By: Shambles Market, 5 Silver Street, York YO1 8RY England
Should we really kiss under the mistletoe? and why would you eat fruitcake with cheese?
Pass By: Parish of All Saints' Pavement, High Ousegate, York England
The Viking Mid-Winter Solstice is explored - what did we take from it for our traditional Christmas.
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: York Minster, Minster Yard Deangate, York YO1 7HH England
Did the first Christmas Festival take place here in 521AD? What is on the Altar at York Minster? Shelter in the shadow of this magnificent Gothic Minster and marvel at the Christmas Festivals this part of York has seen over the last 1500 Years.
Pass By: York Theatre Royal, St. Leonards Place, York YO1 7HD England
We pass by the Theatre Royal as we venture to another historical cultural venue and find out the significance of a Victorian Author who created Christmas as we know it.
Pass By: York Mansion House, St. Helens Square, York YO1 9QL England
York - The Chocolate City. Christmas wouldn't be complete without this festive York-born treat!
Pass By: Stonegate, York YO1 8AW England
Enjoy the wonderful lights and hear stories of medieval Christmas and the shopping of Christmas past.
Pass By: The Roman Bath, 9 St. Sampsons Square, York YO1 8RN England
What happened at Saturnalia, the Roman December festival? What did we take from it for our celebrations today.
Pass By: Shambles Market, 5 Silver Street, York YO1 8RY England
Should we really kiss under the mistletoe? and why would you eat fruitcake with cheese?
Pass By: Parish of All Saints' Pavement, High Ousegate, York England
The Viking Mid-Winter Solstice is explored - what did we take from it for our traditional Christmas.
Additional information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- All required safety measures will be taken so that all our visitors can feel safe
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
marymary27
December 2021
This was an excellent tour, Sarah our guide told us about the history of Christmas time festivities tied in to the history of York, as we walked around the lights of the city centre. She made sure that younger members of the group felt included too. The walking speed was at just the right pace, a...
This was an excellent tour, Sarah our guide told us about the history of Christmas time festivities tied in to the history of York, as we walked around the lights of the city centre. She made sure that younger members of the group felt included too. The walking speed was at just the right pace, and the length of the walk also just right.nigel r
December 2021
A superb way to spend an evening being guided round the city whilst learning more about how Christmas came about from the traditions dating way back before the Christmas story.
A superb way to spend an evening being guided round the city whilst learning more about how Christmas came about from the traditions dating way back before the Christmas story.Y6845RKrobertj
December 2021
Whole experience of christmas lights and the Minster. So atmospheric. Lovely old buildings and excellent history of Christmas in York.
Whole experience of christmas lights and the Minster. So atmospheric. Lovely old buildings and excellent history of Christmas in York.PoshSod
December 2021
We were very lucky to have ‘The Other Sarah’ take us on this engaging walk around the centre of York aiming to convince us York really is the best city for Christmas. Right from the start, outside the Minster, we were swept along on a wave of knowledge and stories that kept our whole group enthra...
We were very lucky to have ‘The Other Sarah’ take us on this engaging walk around the centre of York aiming to convince us York really is the best city for Christmas. Right from the start, outside the Minster, we were swept along on a wave of knowledge and stories that kept our whole group enthralled. Blue Badge Guides really do know their stuff and after 90 minutes we were all totally convinced this honestly is the centre of Christmas. I will add for anyone who might be a little concerned these tours are totally safe and not overcrowded. Might be a little late for some younger people but our all adult group loved it and all agreed, we would come back again.Josh_B
December 2021
Wonderful tour guide! Even though quite cold, we enjoyed the walking tour and hearing the history of Christmas in York and seeing all of the Christmas lights!!
Wonderful tour guide! Even though quite cold, we enjoyed the walking tour and hearing the history of Christmas in York and seeing all of the Christmas lights!!paulrobertr2016
December 2021
Loved this tour, packed with facts and Michelle was amazing. Lots of things we didn't know. The Terry's chocolate orange was a bonus! Perfect length tour.
Loved this tour, packed with facts and Michelle was amazing. Lots of things we didn't know. The Terry's chocolate orange was a bonus! Perfect length tour.