32 things to do this weekend in York, November 28-29, 2015
With markets and charity fairs galore, you could get your Christmas shopping sorted this weekend (then spend the rest of the month feeling smug). And York Minster’s advent service reminds us of the real meaning of this time of year. The full lowdown is in our What’s On GuideMedieval Christmas Fair
Take a break from Amazon and eBay and do some old-school browsing this weekend. Shopping doesn’t come any more olde worlde than the Festive Medieval Market at Barley Hall, offering handcrafted leather goods, traditional tableware and jewellery, as well as seasonal food and drink. Until Sunday – more here.
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Made In Yorkshire Fair | Guildhall | Sat & Sun @ 10am-5pm |
| York Does Vintage | Merchant Adventurers’ Hall | Sun @ 11am-6pm |
| St Nicholas Fair | Parliament Street | Till Dec 23 |
| Christmas Fair | St Wulstan’s Church | Sun @ 12.30pm-3.30pm |
| Christmas Craft Fair | Tang Hall Explore Library | Sat @ 9.30am-1pm |
| York Makers Christmas Fair | Wigginton Recreational Hall | Sun @ noon-4am |
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York Minster Advent Procession
One of the more magical moments in the run up to Christmas, the annual Advent Procession begins with York Minster plunged into darkness. Then a single flame is used to spread light throughout the congregation, with each person holding a candle and passing the flame to their neighbour, as York Minster’s clergy and choir process down the Nave from the Great West Doors. On Sunday at 5.15pm – more details.
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland | York Designer Outlet | Sat & Sun |
| The Keeping of Christmas | Fairfax House | Sat & Sun 10am-5pm |
| 1920s Christmas Experience | Fairfax House | Tell Dec 13 |
Mercury: The Ultimate Queen Tribute
It is 40 years this year since Bohemian Rhapsody became the bonkers soundtrack to everyone’s Christmas. We’re just guessing, but we reckon the song will be one of the Queen back catalogue brought to the Grand Opera House by Mercury: The Ultimate Queen Tribute on Saturday night – more here.
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| The Wheel | Black Box Theatre | Sat @ 2.30pm |
| Saturday Night Lounge | Duchess | Sat @ 8pm |
| 2015 Yorkshire Schools Dance Festival | University of York | Sat @ 3pm-5pm |
| An Evening of Cabaret & Comedy – The Best Bits | Jo Ro Theatre | Sat @ 7.30pm |
UK Snooker Championships
It’s the first weekend of the Betway UK Snooker Championships at the Barbican this weekend. There have already been shocks – two-time winner Ding Junhui was dumped out in the first round and got very sweary at his press conference. Expect more twists and turn until the December 6 final – more here.
Watch the funniest moments and finest shots from 10 years of York snooker
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| White Rose Head 2015 | River Ouse | Sat @ 11am-1.30pm |
| York City v Accrington | Bootham Crescent | Sat @ 3pm |
Christmas Big Band Night
It’s all going very 1940s down at the De Grey Rooms on Saturday night with the big band sounds of Mr Swing’s Dance Orchestra. No rationing though – you are greeted with a glass of fizz and some canapés before the night swings into action. More here
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Lotta Led | Fibbers | Sat @ 7.30pm |
| Esperi | Basement Bar | Sat @ 8pm |
| A Frog in My Throat | York St John Chapel | Sat @ 6.30pm |
| University Symphony Orchestra | Jack Lyons Concert Hall | Sat @ 7pm |
| Deaf School | Duchess | Sun @ 7.30pm |
| Splendid Jewel: Micklegate Singers | St Wilfrid’s Church | Sat @ 7.30pm |
| The New York Dance Band | Bishopthorpe Social Club | Sat @ 8pm |
| Bluephunk | The Ainsty | Sat @ 9pm |
St Leonard’s Hospice Christmas Fair
Games, prizes, fun, homemade cakes, festive refreshments and a barbecue are on the menu at the hospice on Tadcaster Road. And it’s one of a number of events for good causes this weekend – more below. Saturday, 1pm-4pm.
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wilberforce Trust Christmas Fayre | New Earswick Folk Hall | Sat @ 2pm-4.30pm |
| Christmas Fair and Coffee Morning | Dunnington Reading Rooms | Sat @ 10am-11.45am |
| National Childbirth Trust Nearly New Sale | Mount School | Sat @ 1.30pm-3.30pm |