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!
Also, have a look at our Halloween in York guide.
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‘The Greatest Shows’ at York Minster
October 31st, 2025 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Doors open 6.45pm. The performance includes a short interval
Check out all the details at Ignite Concerts.
York Restaurant Week
13th – 26th October 2025
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.
York Ghost Week
York Ghost Merchants Events
Details to be released for 2025
Ghosts are an obscure yet undeniable part of the story of our city and we celebrate them wholeheartedly.
This is our fifth official Ghost Week; the first took place precariously between lockdowns but proved a welcome diversion at a time that was difficult for all. The following year we built upon this success and hosted “ The Residents” an installation of 1,000 glass Ghosts at the Mansion House, for the second year we showed “The Intaglio Seal” a short film at the Medical Society and last year the Jaggery Family event was held in St Anthony’s Garden .
“The Little York Ghost Hunt” is always at the centre of proceedings and has become embedded firmly in York’s calendar. This year the nights of the Little York Ghost Hunt are Monday 28th – Thursday 31st October inclusive.
Over the years we have added in other events, both of our own making and with select partners. A full programme for 2024 with ticketing information can be found on the Ghost Merchant’s site.
York Races Fixture Details | October Finale 2025
10th and 11th of October.
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.
The Countryside Market will return on Friday.
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
FRIENDS! The Musical Parody
Tue 30 Sep – Sat 4 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
From £15+ £3.95 transaction fee
Sold Out
Uncanny: Fear Of The Dark
Sun 5 Oct – Mon 6 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
Grayson Perry: Are You Good?
Tue 7 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
From £35.46+ £3.95 transaction fee
Nina Conti: Whose Face Is It Anyway?
Wed 8 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
From £28.81+ £3.95 transaction fee
The Wittering Whitehalls: Barely Alive
Thu 9 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
From £32.69+ £3.95 transaction fee
Alan Davies: Think Ahead
Fri 10 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
From £34.90+ £3.95 transaction fee
Sold Out
Joanne McNally: Pinotphile
Sat 11 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
Babatunde Aléshé: High Expectations
Sun 12 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
From £20.22+ £3.95 transaction fee
Sold Out
Six
Tue 14 Oct – Sat 18 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
Miles Jupp: On I Bang
Mon 20 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
From £29.92+ £3.95 transaction fee
Strange but True Crime with Jennifer Rees
Tue 21 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
From £25+ £3.95 transaction fee
Sold Out
Dead Ringers – 25th Anniversary Tour
Wed 22 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
Nick Mohammed is Mr Swallow: Show Pony
Thu 23 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
From £24.10+ £3.95 transaction fee
Taylormania
Fri 24 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
From £37+ £3.95 transaction fee
Rory Bremner – Making an Impression
Sat 25 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
From £32.13+ £3.95 transaction fee
An Audience with Stuart Broad presented by Laithwaites
Sat 25 Oct 2025
Grand Opera House York
From £41+ £3.95 transaction fee
Pick Me Up Theatre presents Bugsy Malone
Fri 31 Oct – Sat 8 Nov 2025
Grand Opera House York
From £19+ £3.95 transaction fee
What’s On at The York Theatre Royal in October?
St Leonard’s Pl, York YO1 7HD
Clare Teal: 25th Anniversary Tour
Thu 02 Oct
The Tale of the Loneliest Whale
Fri 03 Oct – Sat 04 Oct
Sandi Toksvig – Friends of Dorothy
Fri 03 Oct
Dragged to the Musicals
Sat 04 Oct
Lost Atoms
Tue 07 Oct – Sat 11 Oct
The Old Paint Shop
Thu 09 Oct – Sat 25 Oct
Evolution of Fishermen
Thu 09 Oct
Freida Nipples presents…The Exhibitionists
Fri 10 Oct
Anna Soden: It Comes Out Your Bum
Sat 11 Oct
Fool(ish) Improv: Cobbled Together
Thu 16 Oct
We Caliban
Fri 17 Oct – Sat 18 Oct
An Evening with Kiki Deville
Fri 17 Oct
The Jazzville Quartet
Sat 18 Oct
Murder at Midnight
Tue 21 Oct – Sat 25 Oct
Queer Spaces: Climate Pride
Wed 22 Oct
Karl Mullen
Thu 23 Oct
The Nicki Allan Quartet
Fri 24 Oct
The Haunted Haus of Games with The Isolation Creations
Sat 25 Oct
Bat, Cackle and Pop!
Wed 29 Oct – Fri 31 Oct
Ballet Black: Shadows
Thu 30 Oct
New York Brass Band vs Heavy Beat Brass Band
Fri 31 Oct
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.
Wed 01 Oct 2025
The James Brown Experience
Celebrate the original soul legend in an immersive concert experience that goes beyond imitation and captures the essence of the Godfather’s unmatched legacy with The James Brown Experience.
Fri 03 Oct 2025
Fisherman’s Friends
In celebration of performing together for over 30 years on stages across the world, Fisherman’s Friends are proud to announce their new UK tour dates for 2025 and 2026.
Sat 04 Oct 2025
Roy Chubby Brown – It’s Simply Comedy
After 50 plus years in comedy, Roy Chubby Brown is still going strong, entertaining thousands and thousands of fans annually up and down the country, Roy is the undoubted King of Comedy.
Sun 05 Oct 2025
Graham Nash – More Evenings of Songs & Stories with Special Guest Peter Asher
Graham Nash, two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy award winner, will perform songs spanning his sixty-year career from The Hollies to Crosby, Stills and Nash, to CSNY and his beloved solo career.
Fri 10 Oct 2025
Sophie McCartney – One Foot in the Rave
After last year’s phenomenal 70 date international tour, award-winning comedian and number one bestselling author Sophie McCartney is back with a brand-new show!
Sat 11 Oct 2025
Ben Portsmouth: This Is Elvis 2025
Ben Portsmouth brings you his jaw-dropping tribute to The King of Rock and Roll!
Tue 14 Oct 2025
Rick Wakeman – The Return of the Caped Crusader, Part 2: The Six Wives of Henry VII and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
Don’t miss this unlikely-to-be-repeated opportunity to hear two classic epics by one of the true legends of progressive rock, Rick Wakeman, and his band of superb musicians when they tour the UK.
Wed 15 Oct 2025
The Billy Joel Songbook starring Elio Pace
The electrifying celebration of a timeless legend is back for 2025!
Thu 16 Oct 2025
Francis Rossi
Francis Rossi is extending his forthcoming tour of the UK with 30 new dates added in 2025
Sat 18 Oct 2025
Jack Dee: Small World
Join Jack as he guides you through his varied life and career with his customary charm and well-known gift for talking absolute rubbish on any given subject.
Sun 19 Oct 2025
Imperial Classical Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Imperial Classical Ballet® is delighted to return to the UK with their breathtaking production of The Nutcracker.
Mon 20 Oct 2025
The Horne Section’s Hit Show
They have two series of their own Channel 4 TV show, an iTunes-chart-topping podcast and now they’re tuning up their instruments once more to tour the country: it’s the Horne Section’s Hit Show!
Tue 21 Oct 2025
The Divine Comedy
The band return to York following their sell-out date in 2022. With support from Studio Electrophonique.
Wed 22 Oct 2025
An Evening with Davina
Join TV icon and wellness advocate Davina McCall for a special live evening of uplifting conversation, personal stories, and plenty of laughs.
Sat 25 Oct 2025
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.
Fri 24 – Sun 26 Oct 2025
Riverdance 30 – The New Generation
Riverdance will embark on its special 30th anniversary tour in 2025, bringing its magic to audiences around the world.
Sun 26 Oct 2025
Matt Green – Legitimate Concerns
Following his debut sell-out national tour, online comedy star Matt returns with brand new jokes about the state of politics, the world and himself
Tue 28 Oct 2025
Brian Cox – It’s All About Me!
In his first ever one man show, It’s All About Me!, Brian takes us from the backstreets of Dundee to starring in Hollywood blockbusters, a journey full of laughter and pathos.
What Festivals are on in York in October?
Yorktoberfest
18-19 & 25-26 October 2024
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
Dance
varietyThe Poldark Show Presents El Mistico
Thu 10 OctEl Mistico is mystical; a unique unforgettable performance!
Tribute Act
FundraisingAn evening of Italian Dining
Mon 14 OctLa Piazza Antica – Goodramgate Join us in the private dining room of this historic building for a delicious three-course Ita…
Play, 17-25
Play, 17-25R.O.G.E.R. Radio Attempts Frankenstein
Sun 20 OctThe cheeky chappies and lovely ladies of R.O.G.E.R. Radio take on Frankenstein
Play, 17-25
Musical, 17-25
Also check out our other monthly What’s On guides.
