The Lord Mayor and Sheriff of York are inviting 400 of York’s older residents to join them at the city’s spectacular Assembly Rooms to celebrate at the Christmas Cheer Receptions.
The annual receptions for residents aged 65 and over will take place on Tuesday 1 December 2026. A spread of tasty Christmas fare will be served and a feast of musical entertainment can be enjoyed.
Eligible residents can choose to attend either the morning event at 10am, or in the afternoon at 2pm:
- In the morning, guests can enjoy a children’s choir from St Wilfrid’s Primary and the Shepherd Brass Band along with soloist Alex Mather.
- In the afternoon, the children’s voices will be from Ralph Butterfield Primary School, and York’s well-loved Philharmonic Male Voice Choir will be entertaining guests.
As part of Christmas Cheer, a raffle will take place. Local businesses are invited to kindly donate prizes. Those interested can email civic@york.gov.uk before Monday 23 November with their offer.
The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Margaret Wells, said:
What better way to start your festivities than with good company in a spectacular setting? I’m honoured to be hosting the annual Christmas Cheer Receptions on Tuesday 1 December.”
To attend either reception, please complete an application form. Paper copies can be picked up from the council’s Customer Centre at West Offices, from any York library, St Sampson’s Centre or from AgeUK York shops or headquarters at St Edmund's House, Margaret Street, York. Or email civic@york.gov.uk for an application form.
Application forms should arrive no later than 5pm on Monday 16 November. Paper copies can be handed in or posted to: ‘The Christmas Cheer Draw’, c/o Civic Services, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA. Or, they can be scanned and emailed.
Names will be drawn at random and those chosen will be a sent a ticket for one of the sessions. The organisers will do their best to match first choices, depending on the number of applications received.