Things to do with your family this Christmas

Please note that we're closed on Fridays throughout November, December and January with the exception of Friday 1 January. We are also closed on 24 and 25 December but open on Boxing Day.

Story time with Father Christmas

Father Christmas is coming to Fountains Abbey for 2020. Hear a festive Fountains tale, meet the big man yourself and receive a little gift if you've been a really good little boy or girl. Keep your eye out for when tickets go on sale. 

Sing-a-long at Music and Lights

You've been to see Father Christmas, explored the family trail and been revived by a warming mug of energy giving hot chocolate. Now it's time for Music and Lights. See the abbey aglow with all the colours of the rainbow and hear live music fill the cellarium.

Hear the choirs sing or band play between 2-3pm in the cellarium on select dates. These will be confirmed clsoer to the time.

Sing with us at Carols by Candlelight

Sunday 6 and Sunday 13 December, 3-3.45pm

This heart-warming service in the abbey cellarium has become a Christmas tradition. So much so that there's going to be an extra service this year. Pick up a candle on your way down to the abbey and add your light to hundreds of others as we all sing carols together as part of this Christmas service. This event is incredibly popular. We recommend arriving early for a seat. Everybody is welcome.

Warm up with a hot chocolate

We bet tummies are rumbling after a big adventure through the abbey, a trip to Father Christmas or lots of creative crafty activities. Sit down together with a  steaming cup of coffee, a creamy mug of hot chocolate or a pot of tea to warm up after an adventure through the garden.

See the deer

Come along to St. Mary's church and see the wild deer being fed through the colder season. There are three different kinds of deer. Can you spot the difference? It's a great chance to see them up close as through winter they need a bit more food than they can get from the deer park to help keep them healthy.

Book onto a Christmas lunch at Fountains Abbey

Get going with all that Christmas shopping!

Christmas decorations are in the shop from November but you can start your gift shopping whenever you like. The shop is accessible without going through the admissions point and car parking is free. Pop up for a relax in the restaurant and do your shopping - we're just under 10 minutes outside Ripon. 

Every penny you spend in the shop goes back into looking after Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. If you'd like to find out more about the work we do visit our conservation page listed at the bottom of this page.