The Friends of York Walls have applied for and been allocated a Christmas Tree to decorate as part of the annual “York Minster 2026 Christmas Tree Festival” event.
The York Minster Christmas Tree Festival = Opening Times –
The festival will take place inside York Minster and will be open to the public on Saturday 28th November, with a special family friendly Saturday service at 10am, to which all participating organisations are invited, and then run until Tuesday 5th January 2027.
Entrance to the Minster is free to York residents with proof of address and will also be free to participating organisations.
FOYW are now asking for volunteers to help with making tree decorations and decorating our tree. All are very welcome.
We are looking for volunteers to help with –
- decoration ideas, (see link to speadsheet at HERE)
- making the decorations,
- help with co-ordinating activities,
- hanging decorations on our allocated tree in the Minster (November 26th or 27th – actual date and time slot tba !),
- collecting the decorations at the end of the exhibition period (January 6th or 7th 2027 – date and time slot tba !).
Decorating the allocated tree –
We will be provided with a pre-lit 6ft Nordmann tree by The Minster. The location of our tree will be set by The Minster.
We will be allocated a time slot on Thursday 26th November or Friday 27th November to decorate your tree.
There will be in excess of 100 organisations decorating their trees during this time, so groups are restricted to a maximum of five.
We (FOYW) have requested preferred date/time for decorating – but this will be considered by The Minster and can’t yet be guaranteed)
York Minster has set out certain rules related to the tree decoration (see Minster website)-
- The date for decoration is the 26th of November so all decorations must be ready by the 19th of November.
- In decorating the tree, we need to consider the balance of creativity with health and safety for all visitors to the Minster. Please avoid glass or ceramic ornaments because of possible breakages. If you have any questions around the specifics of the tree decoration, please get in touch.
- This year we ask that you don’t use any edible decorations, lametta, fake snow or cable ties, as this makes recycling the tree difficult.
- As we are increasing the number of trees this year please ensure that all decorations can be hung from the tree. We won’t have space for any items to be displayed on the floor around the trees, this incudes any additional signage.
- We provide each a sign for each tree, please do not add to this signage with additional material.
- The signage that we provide adheres to industry accepted standards for accessibility, we cannot accommodate requests for changes.
- The Minster reserves the right to veto any decorations which may be dangerous or deemed unsuitable- this may include items that have potential to cause offence or be seen as overtly political.
- We would ask that you take sensible precautions when decorating your tree to avoid accidents.
- If your tree is in the Chapter House, please take extra care around the medieval doors.
- If you need additional help with manual handling/moving items, one of our members of staff will be only too happy to help.
Taking down and collecting decorations –
We (FOYW) will be allocated a slot to take remove our decorations on either Wednesday 6th January or Thursday 7th January before the trees are sent for recycling. Times of removing decorations are 09:30-12:00 and 13:00-15:30. Please could you ensure that you will be able to pick up your decorations then, as The Minster are not able to take decorations off our tree or store them for us.
If you would like to get involved – please email
friendsofyorkwalls@yorkwalls.org.uk
with subject = “Christmas Tree Volunteering”
It is suggested that we use the spreadsheet HERE to co-ordinate ideas, progress, etc..
Posted 19th Junhe 2026 af Issue 1
