An annual city-wide celebration of York's Viking heritage with living history encampments, workshops, traditional crafts, feasts, family events, evening entertainment and dramatic combat performances.
A major seasonal shopping event with over 250 artisan stands, local food producers, fashion retailers, and chef demonstrations at the York Racecourse.
A magical Christmas film screening with the soundtrack performed live by a professional orchestra, presented by Carrot Productions.
An intimate evening where Dame Judi Dench reflects on her extraordinary life and career, celebrating her new memoir written with Brendan O’Hea.
Traditional Christmas service with nine readings, music by the Choir of York Minster and carols for everyone to join in.
The York Christmas Market returns to the city centre with traditional chalets, twinkling lights and independent traders selling local artisan goods and festive food.
A cappella concert by The King's Singers exploring the greatest Romantic vocal music of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, their first time in York.
York's favourite party brings a big top to the York Racecourse for two weekends of laughs and live entertainment, featuring a live oompah band, drag artist, traditional funfair and German-inspired food.
The Choir of York Minster performs traditional Christmas music with seasonal readings by guest Ian Kelsey and music by the Yorkshire Volunteer Band.
A family-friendly circus and musical theatre show featuring acrobatics, balancing acts and live vocals, with Britain's Got Talent stars Max Fox and Christian Lee.
A festive winter entertainment event featuring an open-air ice rink, vintage funfair rides, a Christmas tree, and a Santa's Grotto at the York Designer Outlet.
The festival brings around a hundred decorated Christmas trees to the medieval York Minster, with a light switch-on at the Minster Mash-Up service.
Swashbuckling musical pantomime with Tom Lister as Captain Hook and Jimmy Bryant as Smee, featuring action, flying scenes and special effects.
High-energy tribute concert to ABBA performed by the world-famous Australian band Bjorn Again at the York Barbican.
First Eucharist of Christmas with choral music by St William's Singers; no booking required.
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra perform live with special guest Roachford, plus opening act Joe Webb.
A festive concert by the world-famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band, renowned for its role in the film Brassed Off, held in the historic York Minster.
A festive 90-minute guided walking tour exploring the history, tales, and traditions of Christmases past in the historic city of York.
A diverse season of live entertainment at the Grand Opera House York, featuring West End musicals, plays, comedy, and family shows.
The Human League headline the Live at York Museum Gardens concert series, with guests Go West, Blancmange and Toyah.
The Hawkstone Farmers' Choir, Britain's Got Talent winners, perform live in concert at York Barbican.
Internationally acclaimed Cory Band joins forces with Shepherd Brass Band for a concert of popular, classical and traditional brass band music, with arrangements by Musical Director Philip Harper.
Annual winter lights festival across the city centre, with the official switch-on on Thursday 12 November, featuring over 175,000 lights on historic buildings and trees.
A 26.2-mile marathon race starting and finishing at the University of York, with a route through the historic streets of York and surrounding countryside.
Comedian Adam Kay brings his 10th anniversary tour of his diary-based comedy to the stage, pairing all-time favourites with never-before-told stories.
A spectacular, inclusive journey across the universe with astronomer and author Adrian West, featuring 4K visuals and cinematic storytelling.
A high-octane musical featuring more than 20 iconic Queen hits, presented by Pick Me Up Theatre.
The Say Owt poetry season returns to York for autumn 2026, featuring a series of spoken word and poetry events across various venues in the city.
The 75th-anniversary UK tour of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, starring Nicholas Bailey and Susan Penhaligon.
A popular 10K city run through historic York landmarks, suitable for all abilities and a fundraiser for partner charities.
World premiere musical based on the film, written by Irvine Welsh, at the Grand Opera House.
The Chapter House Choir performs a selection of carols by candlelight, joined by the Chapter House Youth Choir and the Handbell Ringers of the Chapter House Choir.
The world stage play premiere of the iconic psychological thriller The Silence of the Lambs, based on Thomas Harris's novel.
A trail of 70 ghostly wire-mesh sculptures with live storytellers across York Museum Gardens, King's Manor and Library Lawn, featuring immersive experiences and a night market.
A festive family fairy-tale adventure pantomime at the York Theatre Royal, featuring Jenny Gayner as the Wicked Queen and Dean Whatton as Sarge.
Stand-up comedy show Tall Tales by Susan Calman at the Grand Opera House, a one-night-only performance.
A self-guided trail of ice sculptures inspired by history and folklore, with the theme 'Legends Unleashed', encouraging visitors to explore York's shops and attractions.
Giovanni Pernice returns with his live ballroom dance tour Unstoppable at York Barbican, a theatrical production of choreography and narrative.
Open studios event across artists' studios throughout York, featuring over 160 artists in more than 100 pavilions.
J.M.W. Turner's masterpiece Ulysses deriding Polyphemus is on public display at York Art Gallery as part of the exhibition 'Turner, Wedgwood & Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman'.
Stand-up comedy tour Full Fat Legend by Greg Davies at the York Barbican.
A new stage adaptation of Victoria Wood's comedy classic Dinnerladies, starring Les Dennis and directed by Sean Foley.
A winter-themed experience at the JORVIK Viking Centre where the 10th-century Viking ride is transformed into a snow-covered wonderland with festive Yule Lads.
A pun-filled pantomime by The Deadpan Players reimagining the classic Rapunzel fairytale, with music, laughs and outrageous hairstyles.
Imperial Classical Ballet returns with a new season of Swan Lake, featuring a live Tchaikovsky score, at the York Barbican.
A New Year's Eve party with fine dining, candlelit dinner, countdown and live bagpipes at Carlton Towers.
A family-friendly Halloween show bringing the cult film to life with singing, dancing, games and audience interaction.
Interactive exhibition inspired by the How to Train Your Dragon series at DIG, where children can investigate archaeology and meet characters from the books.
Boyzlife, with Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden, perform the biggest hits from Boyzone and Westlife.
A theatrical production exploring the relationship behind the public image of the late Queen Elizabeth II, focusing on the team responsible for her iconic wardrobe.
The ambitious 2026 season at York Theatre Royal, featuring world premieres, musical revivals, and the family pantomima 'Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs'.
Progressive rock band Yes performs their 1971 album 'Fragile' in its entirety, accompanied by a gallery of works by artist Roger Dean.
A Christmas-themed Sunday lunch with a private visit from Santa and his elves, where every child receives a special gift.
Theatrical performance of Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad, a feminist reimagining of Homer's Odyssey, presented at York Theatre Royal.
Fisherman's Friends, the beloved Cornish a cappella folk group, perform live at the York Barbican on their 2027 tour.
A unique tribute band where Elvis Presley fronts Nirvana, blending rockabilly swagger with the raw punch of grunge across Nirvana's catalogue.
A musical concert featuring acclaimed Broadway and West End stars performing beloved songs from more than 29 Disney films, with theatrical effects and animation.
Stand-up comedy show with Alan Carr at York Barbican, strictly for over-14s.
Farmer Copleys bring their award-winning Tulip Festival to York with hundreds of thousands of tulip bulbs, a working windmill and Dutch-themed food and drink.
A traditional carol service by candlelight performed by the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir in the historic Holy Trinity Church.
Comedy show by Tom Allen, bringing his stand-up to the stage on his Totally tour.
Exhibition celebrating John Flaxman, marking the 200th anniversary of his death, with loans from museums across the UK.
Gabrielle performs her greatest hits including 'Rise', 'Dreams' and 'Out of Reach' on her The Hits Tour at the York Barbican.
The Yorkshire Bach Choir performs Bach's Mass in B minor, his ultimate masterpiece, accompanied by the Yorkshire Baroque Soloists.
Russell Howard returns with his new stand-up comedy tour, Don't Tell The Algorithm, at the York Barbican.
The eighth edition of the music festival, showcasing punk, folk and rock bands, held at The Fulford Arms.
A festive concert featuring Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong, inviting audiences to sing along to classic Christmas carols during their 2026 UK tour.
Interactive Christmas tour led by Santa's Elf to find missing chocolate, meet Santa and make your own chocolate creation.
Annual international independent film festival featuring screenings, industry masterclasses, VR labs, and networking opportunities across various venues in York.
A high-energy dance show by The Legends, five Strictly Come Dancing stars, celebrating the glamour and excitement of Las Vegas with live performances, showgirls and casino themes.
A family Christmas experience with a visit to Father Christmas, a Christmas fairground and festive entertainment.
A new production of Arthur Miller's 1949 masterpiece, directed by Dominic Hill, exploring the tragic consequences of the American Dream.
York's largest car boot fair held at the racecourse every Saturday, except on racing days.
Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble bring their Wizard of Prog concert tour to the York Barbican, covering over 50 years of his career.
Tony Hadley performs swing and crooner classics from Sinatra, Bennett and Presley, alongside big-band versions of his Spandau Ballet hits.
A theatre murder mystery based on Mark Haddon's novel, following Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old maths genius with Asperger's Syndrome, as he investigates the death of a neighbour's dog.
A Christmas Carol brought to life by This Is My Theatre in a candlelit setting at Holy Trinity Goodramgate, with performances on 18, 19 and 20 December.
Immersive one-man show of A Christmas Carol with Ebenezer Scrooge on Kirkgate, the museum's recreated Victorian street, with performances throughout the day.
Festive boat tours on the River Ouse with options to meet Santa, sightsee or enjoy fish and chips.
A 14-member ensemble orchestra brings the score of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt to life in an immersive live experience, celebrating the game's 10th anniversary.
More than 100 eateries across York city centre offer special dining deals, from casual lunches to fine dining, making it an affordable way to explore the city's culinary scene.
Kate Rusby returns for her 21st annual Christmas concert with carols, originals and festive favourites.
