Whats On in York

Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in York with a fantastic line up of events and activities over the school holidays. Treat the family to an exciting half term and plan your trip to York with our guide of some of the top things to do. Discover family friendly activities, summer festivals and get involved in exciting events to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

York Spring Fair and Food Festival  May 27 – June 5
Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with one of the largest funfairs seen in North Yorkshire, a food festival showcasing the very best artisan products, live music and family entertainment.
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Long Gallery Afternoon Tea Experience at Castle Howard  May 27
To celebrate this momentous year in history, Castle Howard invites you to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen, with an exclusive Afternoon Tea experience in their spectacular Long Gallery, the location for your afternoon tea will be the same dining space enjoyed by Queen Victoria & Prince Albert during their visit to the Estate in 1850.
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JORVIK Viking Festival 2022  May 28 – June 1
Europe’s largest Viking Festival will return to York from the 28th May – 1st June with something for everyone! The Vikings are back, and invading the city once again for five days of Norse activities and fun for the whole family.
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Platinum Jubilee Holidays at National Railway Museum  May 28 – June 5
Celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee with some special May half-term family activities at the National Railway Museum, from royal carriages you can peep inside and a new exhibition all about the royals’ love of train travel. There is everything you need for a regal day out!
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Family Activities for the Jubilee Weekend at York Minster  June 1 – 5
Mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and celebrate her historic reign with a range of family friendly activities at York Minster. Remember kids go free at York Minster with a paying adult and admission is free for York residents with valid proof of address.
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A Ramble by the River  June 1
As the Summer Solstice beckons, Death in a Chocolate Box presents a new walking tour – A Ramble by the River. Listen to the Lady Brigante as she shares with you the tales of those ordinary folk including the story of the disgraced bigamist, a young rivet heater, another desperate young mother and the tragedy of a quarrelsome soldier.
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Taste of Summer at York Gin  June 2
Be one of the first to try the brand-new for summer Mediterranean Lemon gin at a special Jubilee Gin Tasting event with York Gin. Experience the full York Gin range with tasters of six gins each served with their recommended tonic. Plus enjoy the fascinating stories behind each of the gins.
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…from previous updates but still useful!

Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical  May 25 – 28

The epic struggle between good and evil comes to life on stage in the musical phenomenon, Jekyll & Hyde. Be immersed in the myth and mystery of London’s fog-bound streets where love, betrayal and murder lurk at every chilling twist and turn.
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York Spring Fair and Food Festival  May 22 – June 5
The York Spring Fair & Food Festival returns to York Racecourse for 10 days of fun and entertainment, bringing together one of the largest funfairs seen in North Yorkshire, a food festival, with live music and lots of family friendly entertainment.
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Music Night with Kelly Ann Bolland at Yorkshire Heart  May 27
Join Kelly Ann Bolland at The Yorkshire Heart Vineyard for an acoustic night in beautiful surroundings. Kelly is a singer songwriter from York and makes her own acoustic twists on rock classics. The evening starts from 6:30pm with sharing platters to be served at 8pm with a second set to finish around 9:30pm.
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Baedeker: The 80th Anniversary at The Bar Convent  Until Nov
Over the course of the Second World War, York experienced 10 air raids in total. The Baedeker Raid was the most destructive in terms of material damage and loss of life. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Baedeker Raids when York was bombed by the Luftwaffe and the Bar Convent was directly hit. A new display uses documents from the archives to explore daily life at the convent during the war.
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Lynda Heaton’s Expressions in Watercolour  Until June 4
Discover the art of Selby artist Lynda Heaton, “Expressions in Watercolour” is a new exhibition showing at the Village Gallery on Colliergate. Passionate about watercolour, marvel at her skill in painting the natural world from her imagination and memories.
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York City Walls Festival Exhibition  Until May 31
Mansion House has partnered up with York Walls Festival for a new York City Walls exhibition! Looking into walled cities, looking at the history and comparing York and Nanjing, China. The exhibition will be held over the festival weekend, starting Saturday 30th April.
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Beyond Bloomsbury: Life, Love and Legacy  Until June 5
This major new exhibition, in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery and Sheffield Museums, will explore the lives and works of an extraordinary group of writers, artists and thinkers, known as the Bloomsbury Group, who were active in England in the first half of the twentieth-century.
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Grinling Gibbons: Monuments to Glory  Until July 31
Discover the work of Grinling Gibbons, the most celebrated British woodcarver of the 17th century, through a new exhibition at York Minster as part of a national programme to mark the 300th anniversary of his death. Entry to the exhibition is free with general admission.
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Cruise the Ouse
You can once again hop aboard a City Cruises boat and see York from a whole new perspective, while getting fascinating insights into the history and features along the river.
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Green Spaces in York
While of course we must remain home as much as we can, it’s still important we stretch our legs and enjoy some fresh air. The beautiful Museum Gardens, Dean’s Park and Rowntree Park (complete with cafe overlooking the park and river) are all open for just this purpose. Or simply get your steps in whilst strolling along your favourite section of the City Walls.

#LoveWalking
Stretch your legs and see York on foot. Our new Love Walking hub is full of great ways to explore the city and see sights old and new.
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Shambles Market
The Shambles Market remains open for essential shopping, and is the best place to get fresh produce from local traders. The Shambles Food court is also open for scrumptious takeaway treats.
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These events have been hand picked by Visit York.

Go to Visit York’s What’s On page to see a full list of things to do in York.