York Unlocked 2026

York Unlocked returns on 3 & 4 October 2026, with a programme spread across various venues throughout the city. It's a free festival that opens up some of York's most fascinating buildings and hidden spaces, many of which are usually closed to the public, and invites residents and visitors to see the city from a different angle.

Now in its fifth year, the festival has shifted into a more focused, curated format. Rather than a wide-open scatter, it centres on architecturally significant locations, giving you a chance to step inside spaces that usually stay behind locked doors. The whole thing is run by volunteers, and since it launched in 2022, thousands of people have come through the doors. The idea is to encourage a love of architecture and a deeper connection with the city's heritage, and it takes its cue from Doors Open Days and Open House events across the UK and Europe.

Beyond the main Autumn Festival, the organisation runs a small number of one-off events and guided tours throughout the year, so this is the biggest concentration of openings in the calendar. The festival runs across the weekend of 3 & 4 October, with entry free at all participating venues.