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Seasonal events

Seasonal events

Ongoing activities:

Winter events

December events

February events

Young people across the country are spending Saturday mornings at their local university, college or museum discovering subjects they love. National Saturday Clubs are open to 13- to 16-year-olds of all abilities and are free to attend.

Joining the National Saturday Club is a unique opportunity to learn new skills, discover talents, meet new people, and find out more about further education, higher education and rewarding careers.

Find your local Club and apply to join. In addition, sign up to the National Saturday Club newsletter.

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Take a short but magical walk around York to seek out eight mythical creatures that are hiding in the city. Perhaps you’ve walked past some of them before and never even noticed them? Once you find each creature you’ll need to unscramble the clues to uncover the magical Mumbler password!

For more information and where to pick up a map visit Mumbler Mythical Creature Quest.

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Self guided city walk and interactive treasure hunt. Explore the streets of York's city centre, unlocking a hidden trail by finding clues, solving puzzles and completing challenges, earning points along the way all self-guided through the Go Quest Adventures app.

See the area's highlights, explore it's hidden gems and learn some insider history and fun facts along the way - even locals will discover something new!.

Book a ticket for Go Quest Adventures.

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The only tour in York specifically aimed at children.

Spellbinding magic, comedy and a dash of York’s history! Help search for magical creatures on a tour that wizard fans are going Potty for, ideal for children but suitable for all.

  • When: Selected days and times throughout the summer
  • Location: starting from The Shambles
  • Cost: adults £9, children £9, Wizard wand kits: £5

Visit The Wizard Walk of York website for more information, or email: [email protected].

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The Wonderlab experience is a paid for attraction inside the National Railway Museum (which is free entry). The Wonderlab is a new interactive experience for families with 18 hands on challenges and live experiments!

Max cardholders will receive 50% off entry to the Wonderlab: The Bramwell Gallery, for up to 4 people.

It's free to visit the National Railway Museum.

For more information about the Wonderlab visit the Railway Museum’s website.

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Every Friday and Saturday the Toddler Club is on for toddler friendly screenings (aimed at ages 1 to 5).

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Enjoy our free autumn nature programme!

Relax, feel healthy and happy, and enjoy learning in small, friendly groups from 1 October to 8 December. Everyone welcome!

Tuesday Nature Rides

  • When: Every Tuesday at 12.30pm
  • Location:
    Millenium Bridge, York

Wednesday Nature Walks

  • When: Every Wednesday at 12.30pm
  • Location:
    Middle of Millenium Bridge, York

Weekend Nature Workshops, Wild Gardening and Socials

  • Tree, Plant and Wildlife ID - Saturday 19 October from 2.00pm til 4.00pm, in the Millennium Bridge area
  • Growing Wildflowers Workshop - Saturday 9 November from 10.00am til 1.00pm, at Middlethorpe Hall and Spa
  • Growing Trees and Hedges Workshop - Saturday 30 November from 10.00am til 1.00pm, at Southlands Methodist Church
  • Dusk Nature Walk and Social - Sunday 8 December from 3.00pm til 5.00pm, at the Cyclist Café, Cycle Heaven in Fulford

For more information;

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A digital magazine style children’s show in 6 episodes. Each episode features a song and sensory activities to be facilitated live. Accompanied by a resource e-pack guiding parents, teachers, and carers how to facilitate the sensory moments and containing suggestions of further learning and play exploration.

The show is designed specifically for children with additional or complex needs and life-limiting illnesses to enjoy. Mainstream children and siblings will also benefit from this engaging festive entertainment.

Read more about Phoebe’s Festive Favourites.

  • When: Monday 11 November 2024 to Friday 10 January 2025
  • Cost: free

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York’s annual Christmas market is back, with a range of stalls selling gifts, warming food and things to drink. Children will love the twinkling lights and warming up with a hot chocolate if you’re feeling generous.

Find out more about York Christmas Market 2024.

  • When: Thursday 14 November to Sunday 22 December

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Celebrate the winter season with the memorable York Nutcracker Trail. York BID has partnered with local charities, schools and artist Sian Ellis to bring you 10 bespoke nutcracker statues, dotted around the city.

Pick up your Nutcracker Trail leaflet from the Visit York Information Centre and find the names of all 10 nutcrackers for your chance to win a £250 York Gift Card. Once you're finished, submit your entry at the Visit York Information Centre or pop it into Santa's post box at Museum Gardens.

Find out more about the York Nutcracker Trail.

  • When: Saturday 16 November to Saturday 4 January 2025
  • Location: Visit York Information Centre

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York Minster has a selection of fabulously festive activities that children will enjoy, from a Christmas Tree Festival to the York Minster crib service.

Find out more about the Christmas Tree Festival at York Minster.

  • When: Saturday 30 November to Sunday 5 January 2025
  • Location: York Minster

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York Theatre Royal’s ever-popular pantomime returns for 2024 with a much-loved classic, Aladdin. CBeebies and CBBC superstar, Evie Pickerill, will bring her sparkle and flare as Spirit of the Ring and York favourite, Robin Simpson, returns too. This fun-filled extravaganza is guaranteed to delight the whole family, but tickets will move like flying carpets so book early for the best seats at the best prices.

Book your tickets to see Aladdin at York Theatre Royal.

  • When: Tuesday 3 December to Sunday 5 January 2025
  • Location: York Theatre Royal

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Belle and The Beast will be joined by a host of larger-than-life characters as they’re transported to a cursed castle under the spell of an evil enchantress. Can the arrogant Hugo be defeated? Can Belle see beyond the Beast and fall in love with her captor? And will the Beast’s heart be melted by Belle’s beauty? Suitable for audiences of all ages.

Book your tickets for Beauty and the Beast.

  • When: Saturday 7 December to Sunday 5 January 2025
  • Location: Grand Opera House York

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Story time with Father Christmas – Shrunk in the Wash

During each 30-minute session, every child will have a special moment to chat with Father Christmas. Feel free to bring along a letter if you like!

There will be presents for the children at the end of the experience and the chance to take some festive snaps to remember the moment.

Find out more about Christmas at Beningbrough.

  • When: Saturday 7 December to Sunday 22 December, Saturdays and Sundays
  • Location: Beningbrough
  • Cost: £12.50 per child, £6 per adult plus normal admission charges apply/free to National Trust members and under 5s

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This year, Santa will be visiting Holgate Windmill.

No need to book, but just be aware it can get busy!

  • When:
    • Saturday 7 December, 2.00pm to 4.00pm
    • Sunday 8 December, 2.00pm to 4.00pm
    • Saturday 14 December, 2.00pm to 4.00pm
    • Sunday 15 December, 2.00pm to 4.00pm
  • Location:Holgate Windmill
  • Cost: £7

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Children can enjoy activities with Santa’s elves in the Departure Lounge before boarding a ‘flight’ to the North Pole. Book your ticket on Santa Airlines.

  • When: Saturday 14 December, Sunday 15 December, Saturday 21 December, Sunday 22 December and Monday 23 December 2024
  • Location: Yorkshire Air Museum, YO41 4AU
  • Cost: £10 per child, plus museum admission

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Wander through the famous Victorian street, Kirkgate, as Christmas arrives with a blanket of festive snow on the historic cobbles. Enjoy the charming period trimmings that adorn the street and take a peek at an exciting range of historical decorations and objects, all from the museum’s collection, in the stunning shopfronts. With a variety of free family-friendly Christmas activities on offer, there’s something for all ages to enjoy.

The popular Period Rooms will be adorned with authentic decorations too.

  • When: 2024 dates to be confirmed
  • Location: York Castle Museum

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All aboard Santa’s sleigh for an unforgettable Christmas adventure at Piglets Adventure Farm! Check in at Elf Airlines before setting off for Santa’s Woodland Village. You’ll be guided through snowy trees and twinkling lights to arrive at Santa’s village where you’ll be greeted by elves. Meet Santa himself before collecting a magic key which you can use to unlock Santa’s toy shop and choose your favourite gift from a huge selection.

  • When: selected dates in November and December
  • Location: Piglets Adventure Farm

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This year, Santa’s making a grand return to Murton Park, Christmas at Murton Park (Weekends in December) – Your little ones can meet Santa, take a train ride with some cheeky elves and enjoy some story time with Mother Christmas. Tea with Santa (Selected evenings in December)
A Christmas experience in the Yorkshire Barn Café which includes a one-to-one with Santa and a meal with your family. You’ll also get to meet Mother Christmas and one of Santa’s elves.

Find out more about Christmas at Murton Park.

  • When: selected dates in December
  • Location: Murton Park

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Get ready for an extraordinary Christmas adventure aboard a City Cruises boat, where you’ll be joining Santa himself for a magical cruise along the stunning river Ouse! Explore Santa’s North Pole Grotto then step onto the most festively adorned boat in York, accompanied by one of Santa’s treasured elves and St. Nick himself. This is your chance to bask in the unparalleled joy of Christmas on a truly exceptional Santa experience that stands out as one of the finest in York.

Find out more about York's Santa Experience with City Cruises.

  • When: select dates in November and December

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Experience the true magic of York this Christmas on The Wizard Walk of York. Spellbinding family fun, comedy and a dash of local history!

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Discover the Bar Convent’s Georgian parlour historically dressed to reflect Christmas past. There will be silhouettes depicting the Nativity in the windows of the exhibition and artwork using cutting edge AI will be on display in the exhibition and chapel.

Find out more about the Bar Convent.

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Calling all young artists! Join the YorKAOS art exhibition and have your artwork displayed for the whole community to see at SPARK:York during the February half-term. Whether you’re a budding painter, a talented drawer, or a master of stop-motion video, we want to see your unique creations. Grab your paints, pencils, or whatever inspires you, and start creating!

This event is open to any child aged 5 to 11 who is educated in the York area - postcodes:

  • YO1
  • YO10
  • YO19
  • YO23
  • YO24
  • YO26
  • YO30
  • YO31
  • YO32
  • YO41 

Drop off your work at one of the following Explore libraries between Saturday 18 January and Sunday 2 February 2025: York Explore in the city centre, Acomb Explore, Tang Hall Explore or Clifton Explore.

  • When: Tuesday 18 February 2025 to Saturday 22 February 2025
  • Location: Spark York

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