It’s December! Time to embrace all things festive. Lots of things to do this week with your little Vikings, from the Elf screening at the Yorkshire Museum, Christmas shopping at Made in York and full-on Christmas fun at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland. Don’t forget to check out the best places to meet Santa in York this Christmas in our handy guide, and our panto round-up here.

Monday 2^nd December

Story Time – York Castle Museum – 11am to 11.30am – Free and no need to book (normal entry charges apply for the museum; York Card holders free)

Pre-school stories relating to the museum buildings. This week’s book is Steam Train Dream Train.

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland  – York Designer Outlet – 9.30 am to 9.15pm – Free entry but charges for activities (£9.95 adult/£8.95 for ice skating; £4.50 per child for a visit to Santa’s grotto)

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland returns to the Designer Outlet this Christmas with ice skating at The Ice Factor, a traditional funfair and Santa’s grotto (book online to avoid the queues). It’s one way to get the kids more interested in a Christmas shopping trip to the Outlet.

Tuesday 3^rd December

Toddler Tasting Time – York Castle Museum – 12.30pm to 1.30pm – Free for session (normal entry charges apply for museum entry; York Card holders free)

Drop in to taste some historic ingredients, listen to a story and join in with rhymes related to the ingredients. This week’s ingredient is dried fruits. Call 01904 650333 to book.

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland  – York Designer Outlet – 9.30 am to 9.15pm – Free entry but charges for activities (£9.95 adult/£8.95 for ice skating; £4.50 per child for a visit to Santa’s grotto)

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland returns to the Designer Outlet this Christmas with ice skating at The Ice Factor, a traditional funfair and Santa’s grotto (book online to avoid the queues). It’s one way to get the kids more interested in a Christmas shopping trip to the Outlet.

Wednesday 4^th December

Big Scream (parents/carers and babies under one) – City Screen Picturehouse – 11am – normal admission prices apply

This week’s film is Saving Mr Banks.

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland  – York Designer Outlet – 9.30 am to 9.15pm – Free entry but charges for activities (£9.95 adult/£8.95 for ice skating; £4.50 per child for a visit to Santa’s grotto)

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland returns to the Designer Outlet this Christmas with ice skating at The Ice Factor, a traditional funfair and Santa’s grotto (book online to avoid the queues). It’s one way to get the kids more interested in a Christmas shopping trip to the Outlet.

Thursday 5^th December

Museum Monkeys (sessions for 2 to 5 year olds) – York Castle Museum – 11am to 12 noon – Free but booking essential (normal admission charges for museum entry; York Card holders free)

In the kitchen: decorate biscuits, have a tea party and investigate the play food. Call 01904 650333 to book. More information here.

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland  – York Designer Outlet – 9.30 am to 9.15pm – Free entry but charges for activities (£9.95 adult/£8.95 for ice skating; £4.50 per child for a visit to Santa’s grotto)

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland returns to the Designer Outlet this Christmas with ice skating at The Ice Factor, a traditional funfair and Santa’s grotto (book online to avoid the queues). It’s one way to get the kids more interested in a Christmas shopping trip to the Outlet.

Elf Screening – Yorkshire Museum – 6.30pm – £15 per person; booking essential

Watch family favourite Elf on the big screen at the Yorkshire Museum, while enjoying festive food and drink. More details here.

Friday 6^th December

Toddler Time – City Screen Picturehouse – 11.30am – £3 for children, accompanying adults free if you join the Toddler Time club (free).

This week’s film is The Mr Men Show.

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland  – York Designer Outlet – 9.30 am to 9.15pm – Free entry but charges for activities (£9.95 adult/£8.95 for ice skating; £4.50 per child for a visit to Santa’s grotto)

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland returns to the Designer Outlet this Christmas with ice skating at The Ice Factor, a traditional funfair and Santa’s grotto (book online to avoid the queues). It’s one way to get the kids more interested in a Christmas shopping trip to the Outlet.

Museum Baby – York Castle Museum – 11am to 11.45am – Free for session (normal admission charges for museum entry; York Card holders free)

Sweets: have fun in the sweet investigation area, enjoy messy chocolate play and listen to the story of The Chocolate Voyage. Call 01904 650333 to book.

Saturday 7^th December

Kids Club – City Screen Picturehouse – 10.45am (activities), 11.15am (film) – £3 non-members/£1 members. Membership is £4.

This week’s film is When Santa Fell to Earth.

Made in York – Clements Hall, York YO23 1BW – 1pm to 5.30pm

Local artists and crafters gather at Clements Hall today to help you finish your Christmas shopping in style. As well as browsing the stalls for unique buys, there will be festive food to enjoy as well as face painting and other activities to keep the children entertained.

A Children’s Christmas at Barley Hall – Barley Hall – 2pm to 4pm – £14 per child, with one accompanying adult free (price includes hot drink and mince pie for the grown-up)

Head to Barley Hall for an afternoon of festive fun in this lovely medieval house. Expect parlour games, stories, a Christmas tea party and a chance to meet Father Christmas (and get a present for under the tree!).

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland  – York Designer Outlet – 9.30 am to 9.15pm – Free entry but charges for activities (£9.95 adult/£8.95 for ice skating; £4.50 per child for a visit to Santa’s grotto)

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland returns to the Designer Outlet this Christmas with ice skating at The Ice Factor, a traditional funfair and Santa’s grotto (book online to avoid the queues). It’s one way to get the kids more interested in a Christmas shopping trip to the Outlet.

Museum Monkeys (sessions for 2 to 5 year olds) – York Castle Museum – 11am to 12 noon – Free but booking essential (normal admission charge for museum, but free to York Card holders)

See: look through the coloured glass, find the eyes in the ball pool and look in the mirror to draw a self-portrait. Call 01904 650333 to book. More information here.

Kids’ Kitchen Club – York Castle Museum – 2.30pm to 3.30pm – Free but booking essential (normal admission charges for the museum; free to York Card holders)

Bring your children to the working kitchen studio at York Castle Museum to help make recipes from the past. This week’s recipe is Georgian mince pies.

The Christmas Adventure – Stockeld Park – 10.30am to 8.30pm – Prices vary according to the activities you choose (visit the website for further details).

Experience real Christmas magic at Stockeld Park, home of the Enchanted Forest. As well a chance to visit Santa in his grotto (and meet the reindeer of course), there’s ice-skating and Nordic skiing on offer, as well as a maze and outdoor play areas galore.

Winter sculpture exhibition – Beningbrough Hall – 9^th November to 23^rd February 2014 (weekends only) – 11am to 3.30pm – Normal admission prices apply

This indoor and outdoor exhibition of life-size sculptures by award-winning sculptor Andrew Kay captures the powerful anatomy of wild beasts.

Christmas at Castle Howard – Castle Howard – Saturday 23^rd November to Sunday 22^nd December 2013 – 10am (house opens at 11am) and last admission at 4pm – Entry to farm shop, garden centre, courtyard etc. is free; entry to house and grounds from £14 for adults/£7.50 for children (under fives free); entry to grounds £9.50 for adults/£6 for children over five (under fives free)

Experience the glamour and grandeur of Castle Howard, decked out in all its festive glory. Discover candlelit interiors, a stunning display of Howard family ‘twigs’, winter garlands and floral arrangements. Outdoors there are all the usual delights, including the fantastic adventure play area and loads of opportunities for stunning woodland walks. The gift shops, farm shop and garden centre will all be open, too, ready to help you tick the last gifts from your Christmas list.

Santa Specials – North York Moors Railway, Pickering Station – 30^th November and 1^st, 7^th to 8^th, 14^th to 15^th and 21^st to 22^nd December – £14.50 per adult/child

Book now to join Santa and friends for festive fun on the Santa Express, a shuttle service departing Pickering, Grosmont and Whitby stations. Ticket price includes return travel, a present per child, mince pies for all, and a hot or cold drink for everyone (and an alcoholic tipple for the grown-ups. There will also be festive entertainment at Pickering station between 12.30pm and 1.40pm and 2.15pm and 3.15pm. Dogs are not permitted and buggy space is limited, so leave it in the car if possible.

Sunday 8^th December

The Christmas Adventure – Stockeld Park – 10.30am to 8.30pm – Prices vary according to the activities you choose (visit the website for further details).

Experience real Christmas magic at Stockeld Park, home of the Enchanted Forest. As well a chance to visit Santa in his grotto (and meet the reindeer of course), there’s ice-skating and Nordic skiing on offer, as well as a maze and outdoor play areas galore. Read about our day out to Stockeld here.

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland  – York Designer Outlet – 9.30 am to 9.15pm – Free entry but charges for activities (£9.95 adult/£8.95 for ice skating; £4.50 per child for a visit to Santa’s grotto)

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland returns to the Designer Outlet this Christmas with ice skating at The Ice Factor, a traditional funfair and Santa’s grotto (book online to avoid the queues). It’s one way to get the kids more interested in a Christmas shopping trip to the Outlet.

Santa Specials – North York Moors Railway, Pickering Station – 30^th November and 1^st, 7^th to 8^th, 14^th to 15^th and 21^st to 22^nd December – £14.50 per adult/child

Book now to join Santa and friends for festive fun on the Santa Express, a shuttle service departing Pickering, Grosmont and Whitby stations. Ticket price includes return travel, a present per child, mince pies for all, and a hot or cold drink for everyone (and an alcoholic tipple for the grown-ups. There will also be festive entertainment at Pickering station between 12.30pm and 1.40pm and 2.15pm and 3.15pm. Dogs are not permitted and buggy space is limited, so leave it in the car if possible.

Winter sculpture exhibition – Beningbrough Hall – 9^th November to 23^rd February 2014 (weekends only) – 11am to 3.30pm – Normal admission prices apply

This indoor and outdoor exhibition of life-size sculptures by award-winning sculptor Andrew Kay captures the powerful anatomy of wild beasts.

Christmas at Castle Howard – Castle Howard – Saturday 23^rd November to Sunday 22^nd December 2013 – 10am (house opens at 11am) and last admission at 4pm – Entry to farm shop, garden centre, courtyard etc. is free; entry to house and grounds from £14 for adults/£7.50 for children (under fives free); entry to grounds £9.50 for adults/£6 for children over five (under fives free)

Experience the glamour and grandeur of Castle Howard, decked out in all its festive glory. Discover candlelit interiors, a stunning display of Howard family ‘twigs’, winter garlands and floral arrangements. Outdoors there are all the usual delights, including the fantastic adventure play area and loads of opportunities for stunning woodland walks. The gift shops, farm shop and garden centre will all be open, too, ready to help you tick the last gifts from your Christmas list.