York’s winter magic returns with beasts, spells and eerie streets

York’s autumn and winter calendar is getting a magical addition with WizardFest 2026, a family-friendly festival created by The Wizard Walk of York in partnership with Little Vikings, with support from Make it York. It brings mythical creatures, spell-themed activities and a slightly eerie atmosphere into the city centre, while keeping the tone playful rather than frightening. The festival is particularly suited to families with younger children, and it offers an alternative to York’s more traditional ghost walks.

The main Wizard Walk of York runs daily from St Crux Church at the bottom of the Shambles, with tours at 11am, 1.30pm, 4pm and 6pm. The walk combines magic, comedy and stories about the city, without requiring visitors to know anything about Harry Potter. Children can also pick up a handcrafted wand kit, which includes instructions for seven tricks and a printable certificate. Advance booking is sensible, as paid activities were reported to have sold out quickly last year.

There are plenty of free activities to fit around the walk. The Black Cat Quest, aimed at children aged five to 12, starts at the York Cat Gallery on Low Petergate, while the Magical Owl Trail begins at Shambles Market. The new Activity Zone on Parliament Street is open daily from 10am to 4pm, and the festival programme also includes Brick Magic workshops, dragon encounters outside St Sampson’s Church and, on selected days, the chance to meet owls. The Fancy Dress Parade and “Best Dressed” contest takes place on Monday, starting at 3pm in St Helen’s Square.

The evening programme gives the festival a different feel. On Monday, the Magical Night Market runs at Shambles Market from 7.30pm to 10pm. Sunday’s programme includes a screening of Wicked at York City Screen, while the Wizard Family Rave takes place at Thor’s Tipi from 10am to midday, with tickets priced at £3.50 per person. Families can also find themed treats around the city, including butterbeer, Phoenix Fries, the Beastly Burger and the Wizard of York Ice-Cream. With its mix of trails, workshops, costumes and city-centre venues, WizardFest is built for dipping in and out of rather than following one fixed route.