York Festive History Walking Tour

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!

Meeting Point

Constantine the Great

4 Minster Yard, York YO1 7JB, UK

Outside the South doors of York Minster

What's included:

• Guided Walking Tour from Professional Blue Badge Tourist Guide

What to expect:

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

York Minster

Minster Yard, Deangate, York, YO1 7HH

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.

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York Theatre Royal

St. Leonards Place, , York, YO1 7HD

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.

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York Mansion House

St. Helens Square, York, YO1 9QL

York - The Chocolate City. Christmas wouldn't be complete without this festive York-born treat!

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Stonegate

York, YO1 8AW

Enjoy the wonderful lights and hear stories of medieval Christmas and the shopping of Christmas past.

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The Roman Bath

9 St. Sampsons Square, , York, YO1 8RN

What happened at Saturnalia, the Roman December festival? What did we take from it for our celebrations today.

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Shambles Market

5 Silver Street, York, YO1 8RY

Should we really kiss under the mistletoe? and why would you eat fruitcake with cheese?

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Parish of All Saints' Pavement

High Ousegate, York

The Viking Mid-Winter Solstice is explored - what did we take from it for our traditional Christmas.

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