Seaside Fun

Seaside Fun takes over St Sampson's Square and Parliament Street from 30 July to 2 August, bringing the seaside to the city centre for Yorkshire Day 2026. It's a few days of traditional seaside rides and activities right in the middle of York, so you don't have to leave the city to get a bit of the coast.

The rides are the main draw, with traditional seaside attractions set up across the square and along Parliament Street. There's also a trail of seagulls that leads you from the rides over to the Shambles Market, so it's easy to wander between the two. For families with smaller children, there's a giant pop-up sandpit and face painting to keep them occupied while the adults have a look around.

It all sits within the wider Yorkshire Day Market, with Yorkshire traders and stalls lining Parliament Street, and the Shambles Market and Shambles Food Court running alongside. If you're heading in for the rides, you've got the market right there for a bit of browsing and the food court for something to eat. It's a good spot to spend a few hours with the kids without having to juggle different locations across town.

Because it's all set up on the street, entry to the area is free, and you can drop in and out whenever suits. It runs from 30 July through to 2 August, so there are several days to choose from if you can't make the opening.