York Early Music Christmas Festival

Discover music from a Georgian Country House Christmas, a celebration of Celtic Yule and a touch of Elizabethan mischief and mayhem

This Christmas, a warm welcome awaits you at the National Centre for Early Music with the York Early Music Christmas Festival, a firm favourite on the medieval city of York’s Christmas Calendar

The festival showcases beautiful music celebrating Christmas from different parts of the world and includes a special Christmas performance of Handel’s Messiah, performed by the Yorkshire Bach Choir.

During the festive season the city bustles with revellers and shoppers alike, but those in search of an atmospheric Yuletide evening away from the crowds need look no further.

It is no coincidence that early music is the perfect soundscape for the festive season as so many pieces were originally composed to entertain and unite people at this time of year.

The National Centre for Early Music's Early Music Christmas Festival will transport you to a magical Christmas past. The concerts conjure up the delights of Christmas in a Georgian country house, a village Christmas full of mischief and mayhem, and even a Christmas Eve in 17th Century Rome.

The festival welcomes new performers and many returning friends for what promises to be one of the highlights of the city’s Christmas calendar.

This year’s programme includes: Solomon’s Knot; Palisander; Joglaresa; Fretwork; and The Mellstock Band.

Most performances take place in the intimate surroundings of the NCEM's York home in St Margaret's Church, off Walmgate, with plenty of mince pies and wine available at most concerts.