What’s On in York in September? 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.
Fancy something a bit different? Have a look at these York Tours.
Dijon Dinner at The Grand, York
Station Rise, York YO1 6GD
The Grand, York is hosting an exclusive celebratory dinner in collaboration with York Food Festival to mark a magnificent 70 years of Dijon, France and York being twinned.
The event will be attended by Dijon officials and York’s civic party. The memorable evening will be hosted in The Grand’s characterful Grand Boardroom which boasts original Edwardian features and a palatial atmosphere.
Headed up by Legacy Head Chef Ahmed Abdalla and Executive Head Chef Kevin Bonello, who previously headed up the culinary team and earned a Michelin Star at De Mondion in Mdina, Malta; the menu finds a synergy between French and British cuisine, with Legacy’s values of sustainability, seasonality and locality at the events’ core.
Date and time: 29th September- 7pm until late
Price: £95 per person
Included: Five-course menu, perfectly-paired wine, canapès, coffee & petit fours
Dress code: Formal
Further Information: Please contact events@thegrandyork.co.uk or call 01904 380038
Sunday Night Jazz in the Restaurant at No. 1 York
Sunday 24th September 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.
The Crescent Record Fair
The Crescent Community Centre (YO24 1AW off Blossom Street)
Sunday 24 September
11am – 3pm
free admission
A small record fair with a great selection of quality records from 8 sellers
PSYCHIC EVENING WITH MEDIUM JENNY PUGH
Saturday 30th September
Wigginton Recreation Hall, The Village, Wigginton, York YO32 2PL
Advance tickets £10 from www.JennyPughPsychic.com
Jenny Pugh, author of ‘Why Do Angels Have Wings?’ is a gifted clairvoyant medium who has communicated with the spirit world from an early age. Using her remarkable talents, Jenny can pass on their beautiful messages of love and guidance, providing evidence of their survival. She invites you to join her for a relaxed and exciting night of clairvoyance, where will be love, laughter, and maybe even a few happy tears. Her psychic talents will spellbind you, and the survival evidence she provides will bring you comfort, knowing that your loved ones are still with you. Take your seat, relax, sit back and listen…as Jenny’s next message could be especially for you!
Ticket link: https://www.jennypughpsychic.com/event-info/an-evening-of-clairvoyance-with-jenny-pugh-15
York Unleashed Comic-Con
York Racecourse, Knavesmire, York, YO23 1EX
Sunday 3rd September 2023, 11am to 5pm
York Unleashed Comic-Con is back at York Racecourse hosting another fun and friendly celebration of all things geeky! This is the big one!
On all 6 floors of the Knavesmire Stand, it’s the perfect day out for all the family as it is filled to the brim with media guests including York actor David Bradley (Argus Filch in the Harry Potter movies) and legendary Bernard Hill (Kind Theoden in Lord Of The Rings), there will be movie scene attractions, costume characters, movie vehicles and so much more for you to enjoy!
York Unleashed has been designed to bring out the mega fan in everyone and there will be plenty of opportunities for those new to the convention scene and for seasoned con-goers to have fun and explore a range of pop culture interests such as superheroes, anime, manga, horror, gaming and Disney. There is everything from Lego to wrestlers, dinosaurs to Ghostbusters…..for Star Wars fans we also have the man behind Yak Face, Sean Crawford, for you to meet!
Door price is only £10 (under 16s £5)
Buy your tickets here: https://www.unleashedtickets.co.uk/ourshop/
Candlelit Concerts – The Beatles
Church, Priory Street, York
Saturday September 23, 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.
Enjoy your favourite Beatles classics performed by Ebor string quartet and illuminated by candlelight. Feat singer Alistair Griffin.
Buy Candlelit Concert tickets here.
- Eleanor Rigby
- Yesterday
- Eight Days a Week
- Michelle
- Something
- While my Guitar Gently Weeps
- All My Loving
- In My Life
- Here Comes The Sun
- Hey Jude
- All You Need Is Love
- She Loves You feat. Alistair Griffin
- Across the Universe feat. Alistair Griffin
- I Wanna Hold Your Hand feat. Alistair Griffin
- The Long and Winding Road feat. Alistair Griffin
- Let It Be feat. Alistair Griffin
Candlelight Concert: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
St Saviourgate, York YO1 8NQ
Saturday November 18th, 2023 6.00pm or 8.30pm
Candlelight Concerts – Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
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.
Buy tickets here for Candlelight Concerts – Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.
BBQ Masterclass at The Grand
Various Dates in July, August and September
The Grand, York has teamed up with BBQ experts, Weber, to launch a series of Weber Academy classes.
Adding to the hotel’s already state-of-the-art cookery school, the classes showcase the best in BBQ excellence. The sessions cater to cooking enthusiasts at all levels and offer a diverse range of skills, from grilling the perfect burger to making pizzas and even chocolate fondants. It’s sure to make alfresco dining even more exciting this summer.
Running from July until September, and led by The Grand’s Cookery School Director, Marc Williams, guests will depart the class ready to cook up a feast for family and friends.
Click here for more details of The Grand, York cookery classes.
What’s on at York Racecourse?
YorkMix Family Raceday – Sunday 10th September 2023
There’s fun for all on our YorkMix Family Raceday, including record prize money for a seven-race card.
We will be joined by popualr children’s character, Bluey, who you can see at intervals thoroughout the day.
The additional fun is focused on the younger generation with both visits from a popular character and the “Entertainment Marquee” which has been home to giant inflatables, diggerland, a children’s zoo, zorb football, face painting, and lots more. Keep checking for back for full details of the 2023 line up.
Part of this traditional Sunday normally sees the young riders taking part in the Pony Racing Series.
Please note, for this special family meeting County Stand dress code is relaxed: gentlemen are not required to wear jacket, collar and tie.
Please keep an eye out for a programme of events nearer the time.
Autumn Saturday
A brand NEW raceday means a new music act to the Knavesmire, direct from London’s West End, this is the world’s favourite George Michael celebration! “Fastlove – a Tribute to George Michael”.
A live band will accompany the upbeat hits made famous in the WHAM years or the soul classics from a glittering solo career.
Please be assured that all racedays come with a money back refund guarantee for all advance bookings made direct with York Racecourse, up to seven days before the race day.
What’s On at The Grand Opera House in September?
Clifford St, York YO1 9SW
What’s On at The York Theatre Royal in September?
St Leonard’s Pl, York YO1 7HD
There’s lots going on at The Theatre Royal in September.
Fri 01 Sep – Sat 02 Sep
THE HOUSE WITH CHICKEN LEGS
Wed 06 Sep – Sat 09 Sep
THE ONE LIKE JUDI LOVE
Thu 07 Sep
VELMA CELLI’S GOD SAVE THE QUEENS
Fri 15 Sep
MURDER IN THE DARK
Tue 19 Sep – Sat 23 Sep
A PLAY FOR THE LIVING IN A TIME OF EXTINCTION
Wed 27 Sep – Sat 30 Sep

What’s On at The York Barbican in September?
Paragon St, York YO10 4AH
Have a look at what’s on at The York Barbican – check their site for lots more events.
WORLD SENIORS DARTS TOUR
York Barbican is set to host its first ever major darts tournament when the World Seniors Match play takes place in September 2023.
JO WHILEY’S 90S ANTHEMS
It really WAS better in the 90s…. let Jo Whiley show you with this sensational new show. If you can remember the 90s, you were a lightweight (or weren’t living them properly) – let Jo Whiley remind you of what you’ve forgotten with this sizzling anthem-packed party to end them all.
WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Celebrating the music of the incredible rock and soul legend Tina Turner; Enjoy Private Dancer, Proud Mary, Simply The Best and many more.
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.
JIMMY CARR: TERRIBLY FUNNY 2.0
Another chance to see the incredible sell-out show Jimmy brought to York in 2022!
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
Big Ian brings together his team of the finest voices & performers in York for A Night To Remember.
JON RICHARDSON: THE KNITWIT
Off The Kerb Productions Present: Jon Richardson: The Knitwit!
DAWN FRENCH IS A HUGE TWAT
After a sold out 2022 tour, Dawn returns with more shows due to huge demand and heads to York Barbican!
PHIL WANG: WANG IN THERE, BABY!
Phil Wang is bringing a brand new stand-up show to venues nationwide.
AN EVENING WITH THE HOLLIES
Icons of British music, The Hollies, have announced a UK tour for 2023, celebrating embarking upon their 7th decade as a band.
JON RICHARDSON: THE KNITWIT
Due to extremely high demand we are bringing you another Jon Richardson date here at York Barbican!
BEN PORTSMOUTH: THIS IS ELVIS 2023
There was only one Elvis but Ben is the closest you will ever get in terms of Elvis’s looks, his singing voice and on-stage charisma.
What Festivals are on in York in September?
York Food and Drink Festival
22nd September to the 1st of October 2023
What’s On at The Joseph Rowntree Theatre in September?
Haxby Rd, York YO31 8TA
SWING BAND “DOWN FOR THE COUNT ALL-STARS” TOURING THEIR NEW ALBUM THIS AUTUMN
Thursday 14th Sept. Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Rd. York. YO31 8TA. Doors: 19:30. Tickets: £15.00-£23.00
Performing Swing Era favourites and big band classics from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, alongside new arrangements of jazz classics
London’s favourite vintage band, Down for the Count All-Stars, is touring their new album “Just You, Just Me” this autumn. The critically acclaimed band have been making waves on the UK jazz scene with their warm, engaging, and energetic performances as they bring the sounds Swing Era back to life.
Audiences can expect to hear hits from the band’s latest album, including Exactly Like You and C’est Magnifique, as they take you on a journey celebrating the very best of the Swing Era. The show also includes original arrangements of beloved classics, written by band members Simon Joyner and Mike Paul-Smith, which breathe new life into classic jazz hits.
Down for the Count started life as a group of school friends in Buckinghamshire in 2005, in the inspiring environment of the Aylesbury Music Centre. The band’s musical director Mike Paul-Smith explains, “all of us took part in student orchestras and jazz bands and had amazing opportunities to perform at places like The Royal Albert Hall, on tour at The North Sea Jazz Festival, and at great concerts with famous jazz artists. Without the fantastic environment at our local music centre, we never would have had the idea to form the band and try to do the same sort of thing ourselves.”
What’s On for the Kids in September?
Have a look at our post on things to do with kids in York.