York is buzzing, and this guide makes it easy to dive in. Whether you live here or you’re visiting for a weekend, the city’s calendar is stacked with tasty food markets, big nights at York Barbican, spooky tours, and special museum days.
Below you’ll find the standout events happening soon—simple dates, why they’re worth your time, and quick tips to plan your visit. Everything is walkable, photogenic, and friendly for all ages.
Pick one event or stack a few for a full day. Grab your coat, charge your phone, and let’s explore the best York events you simply can’t miss.
York Food & Drink Festival (19–28 September 2025)
Ten days. Dozens of traders. Live demos. Street food you’ll still be thinking about next week. The York Food & Drink Festival takes over Parliament Street and the city centre each September with a huge market, tasting trails, family activities, and evening bars with music. It’s Yorkshire’s biggest food festival, so come hungry and pace yourself—you’ll want to sample a bit of everything.
Local tip: Go earlier in the day for shorter queues, then return after dark for the bar areas and live sets.
Dead Northern: Horror Film Festival (26–28 September 2025)
If you like your cinema with chills, get tickets for Dead Northern, a three-day horror and fantasy festival at City Screen Picturehouse. Expect indie shorts, cult classics, special events, Q&As, and late-night screenings—all in a city famous for ghost stories. It’s the perfect mix of scares and community vibes.
Local tip: Book a double feature—an early evening classic plus a late-night premiere—for the full experience.
Haunted York: Trick & Treat (1 September–31 October 2025)
York leans into spooky season with Haunted York: Trick & Treat, a city-wide celebration running through September and October. Expect themed tours, eerie evenings, family-friendly Halloween fun, and atmospheric nights around the snickelways. Bring comfy shoes and a warm layer—the ghostly stories hit harder when the air turns crisp.
Local tip: Evening walks sell out fast on weekends. Mid-week slots are quieter and just as creepy.
York Racecourse: October Finale (10–11 October 2025)
Racing fans, this is your last call. The October Finale wraps up the York Racecourse season with two lively days: Finale Friday and Coral Sprint Trophy day. Even if you’re not a regular at the track, it’s a great excuse to dress up, meet friends, and enjoy one of the city’s best outdoor atmospheres before winter sets in.
Local tip: Aim for gates-open time to explore the course, grab a good spot, and beat the betting queues.
Aesthetica Short Film Festival (5–9 November 2025, with online through 30 Nov)
Each November, York turns into a hub for new voices in film. Aesthetica celebrates independent cinema across venues city-wide—plus VR, games, masterclasses, and industry talks. In-person events run 5–9 November, with on-demand access available online all month, so you can keep discovering films after your trip.
Local tip: Build a themed day—comedy block in the morning, a director Q&A after lunch, then a VR session to finish.
York Christmas Market & Festival (13 November–21 December 2025)
As the lights go up, York Christmas Market (often called St Nicholas Fair) brings wooden chalets, mulled drinks, handmade gifts, and festive food to the historic streets. It’s one of the UK’s most loved markets and a brilliant way to kick off your holiday season. Even if you’ve been before, go at different times of day: mornings for peaceful browsing, evenings for twinkling lights and that cozy, storybook feel.
Local tip: Weekdays feel magical and less crowded. Grab a hot chocolate, stroll the city walls afterward, and watch the Minster glow.
Bonus: Year-Round “What’s On” Hubs
New events pop up every week—concerts, exhibitions, markets, theatre, family days, and more. Before you set your plans, check these official calendars so you don’t miss a hidden gem:
- Visit York – What’s On: The city’s main listings for festivals, gigs, tours, and special events.
- Live music & tours: Quick snapshot of who’s playing where around York. Handy for last-minute plans.
How to Plan Your Perfect Event Day in York
1) Start central: Many events cluster around Parliament Street, Coney Street, and the city centre. That makes it easy to combine a festival with a museum visit or a quick walk to the Minster. (Food & Drink Festival and Dead Northern screenings are right in the heart of things.)
2) Book in advance: Popular screenings, ghost walks, and weekend market slots fill up. Snag tickets early for Aesthetica and Dead Northern, and pre-plan Christmas Market travel if you’re coming on a Friday or Saturday.
3) Travel smart: York is walkable and well-served by trains. If you’re driving for the races or the market, look at Park & Ride options to skip city-centre traffic on busy days. (Event pages often share travel tips.)
4) Make it seasonal: Autumn in York means hearty street food, cosy pubs, spooky stories, and big-screen nights. Winter brings lights, carols, glühwein, and gift shopping. Pick your vibe and let the calendar do the rest.
Sample Weekend Itineraries
Autumn Foodie Weekend (late September): Morning coffee and pastries at the Food & Drink Festival → chef demo at lunchtime → sunset stroll on the walls → bar area music in the evening. Day two: brunch, then a double-bill at Dead Northern for thrills.
Culture + Cinema (early November): Start with a Minster visit and lunch in the Shambles area → afternoon screenings and a masterclass at Aesthetica → evening drinks at an indie bar nearby. Day two: watch on-demand films from your hotel or rental to catch what you missed.
Festive Escape (mid-December): Arrive midweek → browse the Christmas Market chalets → warm up with a spiced drink → evening views of the Minster lit up for the season. Next morning: slow breakfast, last-minute gifts, train home with a bag of local treats.
Final Word
Whether you’re here for street food, jump scares, cinema, racing, or fairy lights, York serves up an unforgettable run of events from September through December. Mark your calendar, book a couple of headline tickets, and leave space for surprises—you’ll find plenty.
If you want, tell me your dates and interests (food, films, family, nightlife), and I’ll shape this into a tailored plan with bookings and a map.
