Date: 20 November 2025

York Castle Museum is brimming with festivity as it officially opened for the Christmas season last weekend (15 November 2025). Inspired by Yorkshire Christmases through the ages, this year the museum celebrates Christmas from the 17th century to the 1980s, with stunning period decorations and a packed programme of exciting events for all to enjoy. 

The famous recreated Victorian Street, Kirkgate, is a firm visitor favourite this time of the year, as it transforms into a magical and snow-covered festive scene, lined with sweet scented fir trees. This year is no different, and York Castle Museum are grateful to Moor Lane Farm Christmas Trees for generously supporting the museum by supplying the Kirkgate trees, including the magnificent 16ft Nordman Fir that’s displayed on the street. Taking pride of place, the tree is beautifully decorated with a mixture of baubles and Victorian-inspired paper decorations. The smell of the trees evokes nostalgia for many and immerses visitors in a truly Dickensian-style Christmas. 

The team at Moor Lane Farm, friends Mikey, Louis and Debbie, oversaw the installation of the grand fir tree at York Castle Museum ahead of opening. This hands-on approach is at the heart of everything they do, with the trio taking on all aspects of the business themselves from organising and selling, to packing and delivery and beyond. Mikey and Louis started the business when they were teenagers, growing year on year to now provide trees to places like York Castle Museum and continuing the theme of a very Yorkshire Christmas. 

Carla Starkey, Immersive Interpretation Producer at York Museums Trust said: “Christmas on Kirkgate has become a much-loved tradition at York Castle Museum, and we are so grateful to have worked with Moor Lane Farm Christmas Trees to create an even more magical experience with the most beautiful fir trees lining the street. We cannot thank them enough for their support and were honoured that they were willing to hang the last bauble on the large 16ft tree as part of the installation.” 

Mikey from Moor Lane Farm commented, “We are delighted to support York Castle Museum this year with stunning Christmas trees from our farm. The business has grown over the last nine years from just a few trees to what we hope will be an amazing festive season this year. Christmas is something we are all extremely passionate about and we put our all into providing a magical experience for everyone when they are choosing a tree. It’s a privilege to see our hard work paying off and to display our incredible trees in prominent locations in York.”  

As a charity, York Museums Trust relies on ticket sales and donations to care for the buildings and collections, but also the generosity of businesses like Moor Lane Farm Christmas Trees. With the support of visitors and local businesses, York Museums Trust can continue to provide magical Christmas experiences year after year. 

Christmas at York Castle Museum: A Very Yorkshire Christmas opened on 15 November 2025 and runs until 4 January 2026. For a full list of daily activities, seasonal workshops and events as well as opening times and tickets, visit www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk 

Moor Lane Farm Christmas Trees, based in Copmanthorpe York, is now open daily for the festive season, from 8.30am – 6.30pm, offering complimentary hot chocolate whilst you browse for the perfect tree. For more information visit www.moorlanefarmchristmastreesyork.co.uk