Looking along an old cobbled shopping street at night. There are glowing Christmas lights hanging from the buildings and wreaths strung up across the rooves. This is The Shambles as seen on a Christmas Walking Tour In York

Christmas Walking Tour In York

21st November 2024 - New Experience Number 30.

Jump to 'Try it yourself'

Whilst I’ve done various tours around my home city, I’d never done a Christmas Walking Tour in York. Spotting it on the Visit York Events listings, I decided to give it a go as one of my 52 new things in 2024.

I love York, but then I am slightly biased as it has been my home city for over twenty years, and it is ridiculously beautiful. I also love Christmas, so pairing the two together sounded perfect. 

Like a present wrapped under the tree, the York Christmas Walking Tour has picked out fascinating festive facts from across the centuries, and perfectly packaged them up with York’s yuletide connections for a mesmerising 90 minute winter wander.

Challenge Fifty-Two, a white woman with dark hair wrapped up warm in the cold. She is standing next to some huge baubles and a neon sign which reads 'jingle all the way', as seen on a Christmas Walking Tour In York
Getting in the festive spirit
Close up of a red and black umbrella. The umbrella says 'York Christmas Walking Tour' on it.
Easy to find your guide

Christmas In York

Our cobbled streets, narrow snickets and magnificent buildings are beautiful at any time of year and well worth a visit. However, from mid November onwards, the city feels a little more magical when Christmas comes to town. 

Strings of lights sparkle along the streets. Old fashioned shop fronts are festooned with decorations. Independent shops and eateries offer unique delights, perfect for finding special gifts and treats, and the smells and sounds that float around the Christmas Markets simply ooze Christmas spirit with a sprinkling of nostalgia. 

It’s no wonder it has been suggested that York is perhaps Britain’s most Christmassy city!

Yes, it can get very busy, but if you’re not in a rush and can take your time, you can soak up the seasonal ambience, and a lovely way to slow down and take it all in, is to go on the York Christmas Walking Tour.

Like an encyclopedia of facts, with anecdotes, and all manner of Christmas knowledge, your friendly guide will help you to navigate through the crowds, and through the memories of Christmas past.

Looking along a snow covered road on a cloudy day at the magnificent York Minster
If you're lucky, a dusting of snow makes York look even more Christmassy!
Looking along a row of old buildings which are now shops. It is slightly foggy, and the Christmas lights that are strung up along the shop fronts are glowing in the dull light.
A York Christmas Walking Tour brings the festive history of the city to life

What It’s Like To Go On A Christmas Walking Tour In York

Our 90 minute tour was well paced, with plenty of stops at interesting places, and a wealth of festive history along the way. 

Bringing seasonal tales from history to life with enthusiasm, our friendly guide was happy to answer any questions along the way.

The 4pm start means we saw the Minster in the remains of the daylight, before moving on to the markets and streets where the festive lights were glowing as it got dark.  It also tends to quieten off as people make their way home towards the end of the day which made it a little easier to get around.

A black and white 3 storey building with pitched roofs. It has been converted into a Christmas shop.
This Christmas shop is open all year
Looking along a snowy street. The sky is dark blue as it is a winter dawn. There are old buildings along the left hand sisde, and York Minster is at the end.
The mighty Minster has played a part in Christmas tradition

Learning About Christmas Customs

Beginning at The Minster, we covered some of the differing religious aspects of Christmas, and I was surprised to hear how York has been quite a forward thinking city over the festive period through the ages.

Learning about the many topsy turvy customs from the season, some of which continue today, hearing where traditions may have come from and how they have evolved over the years, gave me a new found appreciation for the way we celebrate Christmas now.

Of course, no tour of York would be complete without a mention of our Chocolate heritage, and the huge part we had to play in shaping Christmas confectionary.

Betty's cafe, a corner building with large class windows looking into the cafe, and lots of sparkling lights outside at dawn. A sight seen on a Christmas Walking Tour In York
Betty's looks even more inviting at Christmas!

Discovering People And Places Who Shaped Christmas

From bizarre rituals, to love stories, farming and feasts, hardship and merriment, the ninety minute tour shared the spirit of Christmas past with a dash of good humour as we discovered some of the naughty and nice characters through the ages.

Looking along a cobbled street with buildings on either side. Christmas lights hang along the side of the buildings. A sight that may be seen on a Christmas Walking Tour In York.
A rare picture of an empty street in York centre
Looking along a row of old buildings that have been converted into shops. Christmas lights hang along the shop fronts. It looks very festive.
York looks even more beautiful when Christmas comes to town

Hearing about people who have influenced winter festivities throughout history, including Vikings, Romans and Royals, we visited places around the city centre that have hosted a variety of significant Christmas moments. 

Stopping in St Helen’s Square, and of course visiting The Shambles, we discovered the wonderful stories behind some of the products that are now staples of the season.

As we were visiting places from Christmas past and Christmas present, you won’t be surprised to hear that Mr Dickens gets a notable mention during the tour, including a visit to a magnificent venue where he once gave a reading of the Christmas Carol to a packed out audience.

A cosily glowing Christmas Tree behind a fence outside a shop on a dark morning.
Find out the tradition of the Christmas tree
A town square at night. It is cobbled and has old buildings around it. It is Christmas and the tree looks very festive and glowing, as seen on a Christmas Walking Tour In York
Discover people who shaped Christmas in York

Why You Should Join A Christmas Walking Tour In York As A Local

It’s easy to overlook tours where you live, but I’d really recommend giving this one a try.

  • I guarantee you’ll learn something new. 
  • Whilst I knew a majority of the general local history, I learnt such a lot about the history of Christmas in general, and the history of Christmas in York. You’re certain to come away with some nuggets of new knowledge.
  • If you’re looking to embrace the spirit of Christmas in your home town, why not give this a go?
  • Perhaps you’ve got friends or relatives coming to stay, take them on the tour to show them how York has played such a big part in the way Christmas is celebrated today.
  • It’s good fun to be a tourist in your own home.
An empty cobbled town square with a Christmas tree and lights in the middle, buildings around the edge, and a church at one end. It is dark as night is fading to morning. As seen on a Christmas Walking Tour In York
You'll hear fascinating festive facts in St Helen's square

Why You Should Join A Christmas Walking Tour In York As A Visitor

  • The Christmas Walking Tour In York has been operating for 6 years. Run by a Blue Badge Tourist Guide, you know you’re in good hands for a great time.
  • There is so much to see and do in York it can be hard to know where to start, so why not let a guide show you some of the main hot spots with added insight.
  • The tour will take you around some of the must-see sights, regaling you with wonderful tales from our Christmas Past.
  • No matter where you are from, or how you celebrate Christmas, you’ll uncover reasons why it is so widely celebrated in the way it is today.
  • You’ll be better placed to decide whether York really is the most Christmassy City in Britain.
Looking along a cobbled street with buildings on either side which are decorated with strings of christmas lights.
Explore the city and decide...
Night time view looking along a street with old buildings on either side. Some windows are lit up from inside. Christmas lights hang from the tops of the buildings. It is a glowing and festive scene.
...if you think it's the most Christmassy city in Britain

Want To Try It Yourself?

  • The Christmas Walking Tour In York runs daily at 4pm from mid November until the 24th December in 2024.
  • You need to book your place in advance. 
  • You can book directly through their website – York Christmas Walking Tour
  • Take a look atLove Yorkshirefor details of other tours run by the company.
  • For other tours in York, take a look at the Visit York website.

Click here for other ideas of festive new things to try

Cost Of Experience

  • An adult ticket cost £12 for the York Christmas Walking Tour. It costs £5 for under 16s, and is free for children under 6 years of age. 

Recommendations

  • Check the weather. The tours run regardles of weather, so check the forecast and dress accordingly. 
  • Wrap up warm. Although this is a walking tour, there are times when you are not moving and it can get cold, so make sure you layer up. Or of course you could always pick up a mulled wine or hot chocolate from one of the market stalls!
  • Keep your footwear comfy. You’ll be on your feet for 90 minutes, and the old streets of York are not the most even, so perhaps leave your stilettos at home for this one. 
  • Don’t forget your camera! Capture some pictures as you follow in the footsteps of Christmas through the ages.

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