Fab Festivals in York – What’s On and When – I like to update this festival post every year with new festivals and dates.   

As ever, please do check with the individual venue to get the most current info!  The Festivals are organised in date order so you can find the right time of year for you. 

If I am missing one, please let me know.

festivals in york
Credit: Charlotte Graham

 

York Resident’s Festival

28th – 29th January 2023

York Resident’s Festival is organised as a way of saying thank you to residents for the warm welcome they give to York’s 6.9 million visitors each year, with  attractions opening up their doors free of charge for the weekend. 

The festival encourages residents to explore their own city and experience it in a different way – discovering a range of attractions, tours and unique events right on their doorstep.

festivals in york

 

York Ice Trail

3rd and 4th February 2024

The theme for York Ice Trail will transform York into the ‘City of Dreams’ and invite people to dream big and let their creativity run wild.  

The last York Ice Trail took place in February 2023 and was a huge success. Over 40,000 visitors came to the city to view the 36 ice sculptures that lined the streets over the weekend. Research commissioned with Qa Research showed that 9 out of 10 visitors would recommend the trail to family and friends, with 4 out of 5 saying they would want to return for the next Ice Trail. 

York Ice Trail
©Charlotte Graham

 

Jorvik Viking Festival

Saturday 11 to Sunday 19 February 2023

 

There’s always lots to see and do at the Jorvik Viking Festival. From Storytelling to ‘Have-a-Go’ Sword Combat and Archery.  One of the many things to do in York February half term.

Viking hordes from every corner of the globe are set to descend on York once again next February with the return of JORVIK Viking Festival, Europe’s largest celebration of Norse culture and combat.  The 2023 Festival is set to run for nine days, from Saturday 11 to Sunday 19 February at an assortment of venues around the city.

“We’re very excited to be announcing a return to the February half term for 2023, when we’re expecting hundreds of Vikings once again to grace the city centre with living history, pageantry and, of course, live combat in the very place where their ancestors settled over 1000 years ago,” comments Gareth Henry, head of events for York Archaeological Trust, which organises the annual celebration.

February half term in Yorkshire

 

York Restaurant Week

6th – 12th March 2023

York Restaurant Week is a “celebration of the vibrant food and drink scene in York city centre. For a whole week restaurants, cafés, pubs, bars, hotels, and street food vendors offer fantastic fantastic savings on set menus all priced at £5, £10, £15 or £20.

Diners have access to a wide variety of dining experiences, ranging from afternoon tea to a full three course meal. It’s a great opportunity to try somewhere new, and an affordable way for families and friends to dine out together.”

york restaurant week - festivals in york

 

York Chocolate Festival

6th to the 10th April 2023

York has a proud heritage in chocolate making and celebrates with a Chocolate Festival in April.  The festival including the markets and demos are FREE entry. Specific events are at various prices (which can be found on the website programme). 

The festival market, bars, food factory and demonstrations are located on Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square.  Events such as wine tastings, dinners, trails etc are city wide.

york festivals

 

York Festival of Ideas

2-15 June 2023

York Festival of Ideas 2023 will take place from 2-15 June, with ‘Rediscover, Reimagine, Rebuild’ as its theme and a diverse programme of free events to educate, entertain and inspire.
 
Meet world-class speakers, experience incredible performances, join fun family activities, explore York on guided tours, and more! With topics ranging from archaeology to art, history to health, and politics to psychology, the Festival promises something for all ages and interests.
 
Browse our diverse programme – by theme, date or format – and find out everything you need to know about the Festival.
 
york festivals
 

York Pride

Saturday 3rd June 2023

York Pride, North Yorkshire’s biggest LGBTQ+ event, is back with their annual festival on the Knavesmire.

festivals in york

York Georgian Festival

St. Helen’s Square, York YO1 9QL

3rd – 6th August 2023

This summer, the glorious Georgians are taking over the city of York! With the fabulous fashions of dashing dandies, extravagant feasting and romantic country dancing, there is a vibrant tale of a golden social scene hidden within the brickwork of York’s abundant 18th century architecture.

With so much to celebrate, York Mansion House is proud to be collaborating with some of the city’s much-loved museums, venues and historical experts to bring you York’s first ever Georgian Festival.

Dust off your petticoat, powder your best wig and join us for an exciting plethora of engagements at Fairfax House, Bar Convent and more. Learn to dance the minuet, discover Georgian family life with Horrible Histories writer Terry Deary, solve the mystery of tricky Dick Turpin’s missing corpse in an immersive murder mystery night and take a peep behind-the-scenes with York’s curators.

festivals york

 

York Food and Drink Festival

22nd September to the 1st October 2023

festivals in York

 

Yorktoberfest

Dates to be announced soon

York is set to enjoy beer, bratwurst and all things Bavarian when a brand-new event – Yorktoberfest – comes to York Racecourse this October.  The residents of York and beyond will be invited to eat, drink and be merry-go-round at the Clocktower Enclosure on the Knavesmire, where a giant Bavarian-styled beer tent and traditional funfair will set a festive scene.

festivals in york yorktoberfest

Aesthetica Short Film Festival

8-12 November 2023

asff.co.uk

Aesthetica is York’s own BAFTA-Qualifying Film Festival. Every year, the event welcomes thousands of attendees in a vibrant celebration of independent cinema, VR experiences, and video games. Spanning animation, comedy, documentary, thriller and more, the event is perfect for all ages and even includes special family friendly screenings for those with small children. In addition to short films, feature films, video games, and VR, the event also includes a wide range of social events, industry sessions, sound installations and exhibitions, with 2023’s featured speakers including reps from Audible, Canon, BBC, Film4, Ubisoft, and Ridley Scott Associates. 

York residents qualify for a 50% Discount on Tickets with #YorkDays 

You can find the full Festival Programme here: https://tinyurl.com/32jyvupk   

what festivals are on in york

York Festival of Christmas – St Nicholas’ Festival

York is a lovely place to visit at Christmas and it’s Dickensian-like streets really put on a festive show.  There are places to visit Santa, at least two pantomimes to attend and of course the fabulous York Christmas Fair.

Christmas festival in York

Visiting York at certain times of the year?  Have a look at our ‘What’s on in York’ guide.

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