26 things to do in York this weekend, December 3-4, 2016
It’s the family Christmas weekend, the first panto hits town and there’s shopping and wrestling too, though not necessarily in that order… Find the lot in our What’s On GuideChristmas Family Festival
The emphasis is on family fun across York this weekend. Santa moves in to his new grotto in Shambles Market, and a viking from Jorvik will be offering 45 minutes of free storytelling at 11am and 3pm. Look out too for Betty Balloon and her giant balloon characters, as well as trees and snowmen walking around. Saturday and Sunday.
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| At Home with the Snawsells | Barley Hall | Sat @ 10am-4pm |
| Saturday story-telling & tours | York Minster | Sat @ 10.30am |
Toy Fair
Take a nostalgic trip to playtimes past as the Toy Fair brings some old favourites to York Racecourse. From Dinky to Corgi, Star Wars to Scalextric, there will be something from most people’s childhoods among the 100 stalls. Sunday, from 10am – more here.
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| York Makers Christmas Fair | Clements Hall | Sat @ 10am-4pm |
| Made In Yorkshire Christmas Show | Guildhall | Till Dec 18 |
| Etsy Made Local, Team York’s Christmas Market | Hilton York | Sat @ 10am-4pm |
| Skelton Schools Christmas Fair | Skelton Primary School | Sat @ 2pm-5pm |
| Scarcroft Primary Christmas Fair | Scarcroft Primary School | Sat @ 2.30pm-5.30pm |
| Christmas Fayre 2016 | Yorkshire Heart Vineyard | Sun @ 10am-4pm |
Santa at the Mill
Father Christmas is popping up all over the place at the moment, but one of his more unusual grottos is inside Holgate Windmill. He’s hauled a sack of goodies up the steep stairs and is ready to meet youngsters on Saturday and Sunday between 2pm and 4pm. More here.
Where to see Santa in York this Christmas: Grotto Guide 2016
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Victorian Christmas at the Castle | Castle Museum | Till Dec 24 |
| Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland | Designer Outlet | Till Jan 2 |
| Christmas Embroidery Workshop | York Minster | Sat @ 10am-1pm |
| Family Carol Service | York Minster | Sun @ 2pm |
The Mischief Before Christmas
Once upon a time there were two rather mischievous Christmas spirits. They would travel the land with a twinkle in their eye, looking for a place to tell their stories. And they have landed at York Theatre Royal from Saturday, sharing their tales with youngsters aged between three and seven… more here.
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| King Lear | John Cooper Studio | Sat & Sun 2pm & &.30pm |
| Three Cheers For Christmas! | Friargate Theatre | Sat @ 2.30pm |
| Jim Davidson | Grand Opera House | Sat @ 7.30pm |
Hunchback of Notre Dame
Panto time has arrived (oh yes it has!) First out of the blocks in York are the Rowntree Players with a slapstick take on the Hunchback Of Notre Dame. Governor LeTrump is determined to cast his menacing spell over the city of Paris but with the circus in town, his evil plans slowly begin to unravel… At the Joseph Rowntree Theatre from Saturday – more here.
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jake & The Jellyfish | Fulford Arms | Sat @ 7.30pm |
| Family Christmas Concert | York Minster | Sat @ 7.30pm |
| Gig-Rocket Reducer | Winning Post | Sat @ 8.30pm |
| David Ward Maclean | Yorkshire Terrier | Sat @ 9pm |
American-style wrestling
Fibbers has become quite the wrestling hotspot, and there’s another treat for grapple fans this Saturday from 7pm. Featuring ‘The Mexican Sensation’ El Ligero and ‘Dangerous’ Danny Binks, they sound a whole lot more entertaining than Judge Rinder on Strictly… more here.
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK Snooker Championships 2016 | Barbican | Till Sun |