What’s On in York in October? Whether you are visiting the city or, like me, you live here it’s always good to have a list of what’s on so you can plan your month ahead!
As always, things are subject to change, so do check with the individual venue to make sure of the most up to date details.
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Candlelit Concerts – Candlelit Film Night
St Olaves Church, York
Saturday October 28, 2023 8PM to 9PM
There will be a series of candlelit concerts from September until Christmas with different themes. Check out all the details at Ignite Concerts.
Buy Candlelit Concert tickets here.
Enjoy the best of Hans Zimmer and John Williams with music of the movies set in a stunning candlelit atmosphere. Performed by Ebor Quartet, listen to film score classics in the magical setting of St Olaves church.
- Pirates of the Caribbean Medley
- Jaws
- Schindlers List
- E.T
- Intersteller
- Star Wars Medley
- Gladiator
- Inception
- Harry Potter Medley
- Indiana Jones
- Jurassic Park
- Lion King Medley
Candlelight Concert: A Tribute to Queen
National Centre For Early Music, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL
Saturday October 28, 2023 6.30pm or 8.30pm
Candlelight Concerts – a Tribute to Queen.
Duration: 60 minutes (doors open 45 mins prior to the start time and late entry is not permitted)
Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Programme
- Love of My Life
- Under Pressure (ft. David Bowie)
- You’re My Best Friend
- Don’t Stop Me Now
- Who Wants to Live Forever
- We Will Rock You
- I Want to Break Free
- Bohemian Rhapsody
- Crazy Little Thing Called Love
- We Are the Champions
- Somebody to Love
- Another One Bites the Dust
Buy tickets here for Candlelight Concerts – a Tribute to Queen.
York Restaurant Week
9th – 15th October 202
Enjoy some of York’s best dining experience on a budget! For 7 whole days, diners can access a huge variety of food and drink offers, all deliciously priced at £5, £10, £15, £20, £25 or £30. From snacks and brunch to afternoon tea and gourmet meals, make the most of affordable offers with friends and family.
Take a look at the York Restaurant Week site here.

Sunday Night Jazz in the Restaurant at No. 1 York
Sunday 29th October 2023
Join us for an evening of jazz in The Restaurant at No.1, York.
Book in for dinner or just join for a drink to listen to the laid-back acoustic Karl Mullen Jazz Trio play your requests as well as classics by Dave Brubeck, Oscar Peterson, Nina Simone and songs from the Great American Songbook.
Book a table below or simply swing by. All are welcome at any time throughout the evening.
Click here to buy tickets for the Jazz evenings at No.1, York.
Kate Semple Clay Workshop
Thursday 12th October 2023 6pm-9pm
Join York-based artist Kate Semple at No.1 by GuestHouse to create your own coil-built coffee set including a mug, saucer, jug, sugar bowl and spoon. She’ll bring all the equipment. You just need to bring yourself!
The evening will start at 6.00pm with a glass of something sparkling before you spend the next 3 hours leisurely, chatting away, building your coffee set until 9.00pm. Then Kate will take your finished set away to be glazed and fired before posting it back to you or a lucky recipient!
The workshop will take place in the private dining space at Pearly Cow, York. There will be tea and coffee available throughout the evening, along with the opportunity to order further drinks and snacks from Pearly Cow with a 10% discount applied.
York Unlocked
York Unlocked 2023 on the weekend of 7 and 8 October 2023 will see the doors thrown open to around 70 fabulous buildings FREE of charge.
The unique 2 day event opens up access to the magnificent buildings and open spaces in the city that are often closed to the public. It aims to help both residents and tourists alike to uncover hidden treasures and experience familiar places through fresh eyes.
York Ghost Week
(Details taken from the York Ghost Merchants Facebook page)
York Ghost Merchants Events
Partner Events
York Races Fixture Details | October Finale 2023
13th and 14th of October.
On the Friday, our Countryside Market also proves an easy way to get some early Christmas gifts.
The Friday offers a chance to catch up with friends whilst enjoying easy access to some of the best views and facilities on the turf.
In recent years, Saturday has become one of the busiest weekend racedays of the month nationwide, so there continues to be a buzz about the grandstands.
What’s On at The Grand Opera House in October?
Clifford St, York YO1 9SW
What’s On at The York Theatre Royal in October?
St Leonard’s Pl, York YO1 7HD
RAMBERT’S DEATH TRAP
Tue 03 Oct – Wed 04 Oct
A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE
Thu 05 Oct
ANDY AND THE ODDSOCKS
Sat 07 Oct
THE MISTAKE
Sat 07 Oct
METAMORPHOSIS
Tue 10 Oct – Sat 14 Oct
THE WHISPERING JUNGLE
Thu 12 Oct – Fri 13 Oct
MACBETH
Wed 18 Oct – Sat 21 Oct
BLUE BADGE BUNCH
Sat 21 Oct
FRANKENSTEIN
Tue 24 Oct – Sat 28 Oct
LEARNING TO FLY
Thu 26 Oct
YORKSHIRE THERE AND BACK
Fri 27 Oct
FREIDA NIPPLES PRESENTS… TIMELESS TEASE
Sat 28 Oct – Sat 28 Oct
NOISES OFF
Tue 31 Oct – Sat 04 Nov
What’s On at The York Barbican in October?
Paragon St, York YO10 4AH
Here are some of the highlights at The York Barbican, but please check their listings for lots more events.
ITV’S EMMA KENNY – THE SERIAL KILLER NEXT DOOR
Emma Kenny will take you on a journey looking at what ingredients of possibility lead to body counts by killers like Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Paul Knowles.
STUART MICHAEL – THE PSYCHIC MEDIUM
Boasting an impressive, worldwide celebrity client list, Stuart brings his quick-witted humour, sensitivity, and compassion to the stage!
MICHAEL STARRING BEN
Take a journey back in time to remember Michael Jackson – the man, the music and the magic.
CLASSICAL BALLET AND OPERA HOUSE PRESENTS: SWAN LAKE
A timeless ballet with exquisite dancing featuring live Orchestra with over 30 musicians
CLASSICAL BALLET AND OPERA HOUSE PRESENTS: THE NUTCRACKER
A lavish Ballet of festive season featuring live Orchestra with over 30 musicians
HOWARD JONES: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS 1983 – 2023
With support from Blancmange.

THE WATERBOYS
Few bands have as great a live reputation as The Waterboys.
LAUGH OUT LOUD COMEDY CLUB
Bringing the best live stand-up to York, featuring comedians from shows such as Mock The Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and many more
MIRIAM MARGOLYES: OH MIRIAM! LIVE
Join us on another unforgettable adventure through the extraordinary life and strong opinions of Miriam Margolyes, live on stage in her biggest tour yet to mark the launch of her new book.
LLOYD COLE
Lloyd Cole has announced a UK/Ireland tour in the autumn.
FASCINATING AÏDA – THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW!
Celebrating 40 years on the road in 2023, Dillie, Liza and Adèle, Britain’s raciest and sassiest musical cabaret trio, are bringing their brand-new show to York Barbican
PAUL CARRACK
Paul Carrack known to many as ‘The Man with the Golden Voice’, returns to the road in the autumn of 2023.
ELVANA – THE WORLD’S FINEST ELVIS FRONTED TRIBUTE TO NIRVANA!
From the bowels of Disgraceland, Rock & Roll icons of the afterlife are raised from the dead!
GABRIELLE: 30 YEARS OF DREAMING
Gabrielle’s ’30 Years of Dreaming Tour’ will see her celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of her era-defining smash hit #1 single ‘Dreams’ and perform highlights from her catalogue of hits, which also include ‘Rise’, ‘Out Of Reach’ and ‘Sunshine’.
JIMMY CARR: TERRIBLY FUNNY 2.0
Another chance to see the incredible sell-out show Jimmy brought to York in 2022!
SPIDER – MAN: INTO THE SPIDER – VERSE – LIVE IN CONCERT
For the first time ever, the Academy Award® winning film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, is set to tour the UK this Autumn.
SAMANTHA FISH + JESSE DAYTON
The American singer-songwriter and guitarist, Samantha Fish, joins us here at York Barbican. Plus special guests: The Commoners.
STEVE STEINMAN’S VAMPIRES ROCK DAY OF THE DEAD FEATURING THE SYMPHONIC ROCK ORCHESTRA
Vampires Rock Day of the Dead Symphonic is the latest instalment of the Vampires Rock Saga, now in its 20th year.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS?
An experiential ghost story, unlike anything you have ever experienced before.
THE STYLISTICS: GREATEST HITS
The Stylistics, who are currently on a sold out tour in the US, are proud to announce their UK ‘Greatest Hits Tour’ in 2023, which opens at the York Barbican
JAMES MARTIN
Celebrity chef James Martin is turning up the heat with a brand-new tour for 2023.
What Festivals are on in York in October?
Yorktoberfest
Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st October and from Friday 27th to Saturday 28th October.
York is set to enjoy beer, bratwurst and all things Bavarian when – Yorktoberfest – returns 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.
What’s On at The Joseph Rowntree Theatre in October?
Haxby Rd, York YO31 8TA
To be announced