A mask of secrecy often surrounds the theme of Castle Howard’s Christmas decorations as the historic house prepares for a spectacular reveal, but this year’s theme takes this to a whole new level as visitors will be welcomed into preparations for a grand Venetian Masquerade Ball in the most lavish seasonal presentation yet.

York’s Christmas Market, organised by Make It York, will be returning to the city centre between 14^th November and 22^nd December - with plans to make it better than ever for residents and visitors.

A major new exhibition featuring the earliest works and “lost pots” of one of Britain’s most well known artists is coming to York next summer.Grayson Perry: The Pre-Therapy Years will be showcased from 12 June - 20 September 2020 at the Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA) at York Art Gallery.

York’s city-wide festive celebrations will get underway from a new venue next month, when Duncombe Place hosts the traditional launch of St Nicholas Christmas Fair and the switching on of the city’s ever-growing collection of winter lights, from 6pm on Thursday 14 November 2019.

Visit York and The York Dungeon have joined forces for the third consecutive year to create a tantalising twilight trail of glowing ghosts around the city. This year, the Great York Ghost Search returns to York for an extended 3 week season from 11 October to 1 November.

York Design Week is a way for presenting a new, collaborative, dynamic vision of the creative industry sector in York. It is not just a 7 day festival. It is part of a wider, infinite landscape of creativity, and is designed to create a surprising new perception of our historic city, inviting residents to participate, explore and play.

THOR’S tipi bar, will once again make a welcome return to York city centre, running from 13th November 2019 right through until 1st January 2020. Last year, the ever popular and highly acclaimed bar saw over 50,000 people visit this uniquely themed attraction that plays on York’s Viking heritage and still remains a firm fixture of the Christmas offering in the city. 

The award-winning Winter Wonderland, York’s favourite festive event, returns to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York, from 16th November to 5th January, celebrating its 15^th year in the city and its 10^th at the centre.

Unique experiences sit at the heart of a new campaign to attract more people to the city of York, as tourism chiefs invite visitors to uncover secret venues and tours that even life-long residents will not have seen. Only In York 2019 is set to reveal unseen, unforgettable and unmissable experiences to attract new and returning visitors alike.