Christmas at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
Discover what's happening at Fountains Abbey this Christmas. Wrap up warm, grab a festive bake, see the abbey sparkle and as the afternoon light starts to fade, take a wander through the ruins aglow.
Winter Tales at Fountains Abbey
Wrap up warm and join us for Winter Tales at Fountains Abbey. Visit three different locations through the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate and immerse yourself in four different Winter Tales: The Mitten, The Silver Pinecones, The Nutcracker and The Children and The Sun. Join the author, Dawn Casey, or our volunteers on one of our storytelling weekends too.
Dawn Casey’s work is inspired by her deep love of nature, her respect for the tales of old, and her delight in the wonder of the world. Her collection The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales won the Gold Nautilus Award for books that 'support conscious living, green values, spiritual growth and positive social change.' Dawn published Winter Tales in 2020 and Nature Tales in 2024. She lives with her family, on the South Downs of Sussex.
Group storytelling sessions
Every weekend from 7 December to 29 December.
Our volunteers will be holding storytelling sessions in the lead up to Christmas and during the Christmas holidays. Drop in every weekend at 11am and 12pm to hear some of the Winter Tale stories read to you.
- Hear The Mitten read on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December in Swanley Grange.
- Hear The Silver Pinecones read on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December upstairs in Fountains Mill
- Hear The Nutcracker read on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 December in Fountains Hall
- Hear The Children and The Sun read on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 December in Fountains Hall
Unfortunately, sometimes our volunteers are unavailable and we may have to cancel storytelling sessions at short notice. Please ask the admission staff on your arrival for the schedule on that day.
Swanley Grange, Fountains Mill and Fountains Hall will be dressed and decorated using inspiration taken from Winter Tales by Dawn Casey, illustrated by Zanna Goldhawk.
Our Christmas traditions
See which Christmas traditions will be returning to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal this year.
Live Music
On from 2pm every Saturday and Sunday between 30 November - 29 December (excluding 8 and 15 December). Once you've finished the Christmas shopping, explored the Winter Tales and been revived by a warming mug of hot chocolate, it's time to see the abbey aglow with all the colours of the rainbow. Walk beneath the abbey cellarium's vaulted ceilings, under the grand columns of the nave and stop to watch the live choirs and bands fill the ruins with festive music. Join in if you know the tune! The lights will be switched on at 2pm. Bands and choirs will play in the cellarium from 2-3pm. Recorded carols will fill the air from 3-5pm. Last admission is at 4pm and the estate will close at 5pm as usual. On 15 and 22 December we'll be joined by Ripon Trinity Singers singing well known Christmas carols round the tree at the Visitor Centre at 11am.
Discover more ways to enjoy a festive day out at Fountains Abbey
Our missing Christmas traditions...
Father Christmas
Unfortunately, Father Christmas will not be visiting Fountains Abbey this year. If you're looking for a lovely local Father Christmas experience why not visit Beningbrough Hall for some storytelling, a chat and gift from the man in red, plus the chance to capture some festive photos. Find out more.
Christmas Lunches
We won't be serving up plated Christmas lunches in the restaurant this year. There will still be plenty of tasty festive treats on offer though. Why not try a hot turkey roll, festive scone or a slice of homemade Christmas cake.
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