400 York residents aged 65 and over can join the Lord Mayor at the Assembly Rooms on 1 December. Apply by 5pm on 16 November; places are drawn at random.
York residents aged 65 and over can apply for a place at this year’s Christmas Cheer receptions. The Lord Mayor and Sheriff of York will host 400 older residents at the Assembly Rooms on Blake Street on Tuesday 1 December 2026.
Applications close at 5pm on Monday 16 November. Names are drawn at random, so applying early does not improve your chances (City of York Council, 30 October 2026).
The two sessions
There is a morning reception at 10am and an afternoon one at 2pm. Both serve Christmas food and both have live music. The council lists the line-up:
| Session | Children’s choir | Other music |
|---|---|---|
| 10am | St Wilfrid’s Primary School | Shepherd Brass Band, with soloist Alex Mather |
| 2pm | Ralph Butterfield Primary School | York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir |
You can say which session you prefer. The council says it will do its best to match first choices, depending on how many people apply. A raffle runs at both.
“What better way to start your festivities than with good company in a spectacular setting?” said the Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Margaret Wells. “I’m honoured to be hosting the annual Christmas Cheer Receptions on Tuesday 1 December.”
How to apply
Fill in an application form. Paper copies are available from:
- the council’s Customer Centre at West Offices, Station Rise
- any York library
- St Sampson’s Centre
- Age UK York shops, or its headquarters at St Edmund’s House, Margaret Street
You can also ask for a form by emailing civic@york.gov.uk.
Return it by hand or by post to: The Christmas Cheer Draw, c/o Civic Services, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA. A scanned form can be emailed to the same address. It must arrive by 5pm on Monday 16 November.
The people drawn are sent a ticket for one session. The council’s release does not say whether there is a charge or how unsuccessful applicants will be told.
Businesses: raffle prizes wanted
The council is asking local businesses to donate raffle prizes. Offers go to civic@york.gov.uk before Monday 23 November.
What it means for you
- If you are 65 or over and live in York, you can apply. So can a relative or neighbour on your behalf by picking up a form.
- Deadline: 5pm, Monday 16 November. Places are drawn at random, not first come, first served.
- The day: Tuesday 1 December, 10am or 2pm, at the Assembly Rooms on Blake Street. That is a Tuesday, when the Christmas Market stalls are closed as a trial and normal footstreet hours apply, so Blake Street is shut to traffic from 10.30am to 5pm as usual. The Blake Street and Lendal Blue Badge route does not run during the market period, but the council has marked extra Blue Badge bays on Blake Street and Duncombe Place; our Christmas Market road closures page has the detail.
- Getting there: park and ride runs from six sites around the city, and concessionary passes are accepted after 9am on weekdays; see our York roadworks and travel page.
For more on what is happening over the season, see our York Christmas Market 2026 page.
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