The Lord Mayor’s invitation to support and attend the Christmas Cheer Receptions
The Lord Mayor and Sheriff of York announce a fundraising concert, an appeal for raffle prizes and the opening of applications to attend the Christmas Cheer Receptions, when 400 of York’s senior residents are invited to join them at the city’s spectacular Assembly Rooms.
The annual receptions for residents aged 65 and over, will take place on Tuesday 2 December 2025, when 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 Osbaldwick Primary Academy 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 York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir will be entertaining guests.
As part of Christmas Cheer, a raffle will take place. Any local businesses are invited to kindly donate prizes and to please email civic@york.gov.uk before Monday 24 November with their offer.
The Christmas Cheer Reception will be partly funded by proceeds from a special concert ‘of glorious harmony’ by the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir on Saturday 11 October, 7pm at the Guildhall. The Lord Mayor is a patron of ‘The Phil’ as the choir is affectionately known. Their programme will include highlights from their repertoire which spans West End, opera, folk, spiritual, ballads and up-tempo songs. Tickets for what should be a memorable concert are available here.
The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of York at the York Assembly Rooms
The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Martin Rowley BEM, said: “What better way to start your festivities than with good company in a spectacular setting?
“I’d love to see you at the concert by ‘The Phil’ choir on 11 October to support our fundraising. And I’m honoured to be hosting the annual Christmas Cheer Receptions on 2 December.
“The receptions offer our older residents top class entertainment, food and fun. It’s a chance to meet new friends and bring in the festive season in a truly memorable way.
“If you’re eligible to apply and are free to join us on 2 December, please send off your application to enjoy this wonderful occasion.”
200 people can attend each reception, and applicants can specify if they would prefer to go to the morning or afternoon events.
To attend either of the receptions, please complete an application form. Paper copies can be picked up from 6 October at the council’s Customer Centre at West Offices, from any York library or St Sampson’s Centre. If you’d prefer, please email civic@york.gov.uk for an application form.
All completed paper application forms should be dropped off or mailed to: ‘The Christmas Cheer Draw’, c/o Civic Services, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA – to arrive no later than 5pm on Monday 17 November 2025. Completed online forms should be emailed back to civic@york.gov.uk again by 5pm on Monday 17 November.
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.