Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy Generator Update cookies preferences

What's on

What's on

Ongoing activities:

March events

April events

Summer 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.

Top of page

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.

Top of page

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.

Top of page

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.

  • Date: 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].

Top of page

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.

Top of page

Our Easter Holidays programme is made up of funded sessions thanks to funding awarded by the City of York Council Holiday Activities with Food (HAF) programme and Local Council Ward funding. All our sessions are open-access, free to attend! Some sessions will include a snack and a drink for those attending.

All sessions below share the same format:

What to expect: Free turn up & play, multi-sports sessions

Location: Venues across York! To view our sessions, please visit RLFC website

Ages: Suitable for children aged 5 to 13 years

​TO BOOK: No need to book, just turn up on the day! However, to request a free meal through the HAF programme at HAF-funded sessions please visit Holiday Activities website.*

Top of page

Create your own Chocolate Easter Egg or Chocolate Bunny Chocolate Bar! During this 1 hour and 15 minutes workshop participants will create their own chocolate egg and decorate using sweets and chocolate to assemble and decorate their own 150g Easter Egg or Easter Bunny as they choose.

  • Dates: Friday 28 March to Sunday 27 April 2025
  • Location: York Cocoa Works, Castlegate 10, YO1 9RG York, GB
  • Cost: £25

Find more information on the York Cocoa House website.

Top of page

A jam-packed day of fun is guaranteed whatever the weather. Included in your ticket are 10 unlimited fairground rides, role play area, animal encounters, giant sand pit, bouncing pillows and water pillows, play area, Dazzling Darren and more!

  • Dates: open daily
  • Cost: various

To book and for more information visit the Web Adventure Park website.

Top of page

This Easter, find the Golden Hares. Enjoy the seasonal decorations and the early spring woodland…

  • Location: gardens postcode YO41 1AP what3words = unlocking.obtain.exhales
  • Cost: various

For more information visit the Dreamery Gardens website.

Top of page

The sessions are divided into morning and afternoon slots, each lasting 3 hours. Additionally, we now offer all-day sessions.

Children attending all-day sessions will stay with us during the 1-hour break between sessions. During this time, optional activities will be available. Please note that you'll need to provide a packed lunch for your child. While we provide snacks and drinks, lunch is not included.

  • Dates: Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the Easter holidays
  • Times: 9.00am to noon and 1.00pm to 4.00pm
  • Location: Acomb Methodist Church
  • Cost: £20 for a session or £40 for the day

To book your child’s place visit the Crafty Fox Kids Club website.

Top of page

Family fun for everyone at York Leisure Centre! York Leisure Centre has a great range of activities guaranteed to turn up the fun. From Junior Gym, Swimming, Racquet Sports and Clip ‘n Climb, the whole family will enjoy the great range of fun and affordable activities.

Clip n Climb is a state-of-the-art climbing wall system allowing you to have the best experience in a safe, supervised environment, suitable for those aged 4 and up.

  • Cost: from £10
  • Dates: Open every day during the school holidays

Inflatable Soft Play Fun includes 2 bouncy castles and soft play shapes for children aged 6 months to 10 years.

  • Dates: Sessions are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays during the Easter Holidays
  • Cost: various

York Leisure Centre has a variety of swimming sessions. The pools are open every day and sessions include Swim for all in our Learner Pool and Splash Pad as well as Family Fun Swim which includes ride on floats and toys in the Main Pool.

  • Dates: daily
  • Cost: Under 3’s swim for free and children swim for £1 before 10.00am during school holidays

Find out more about our inclusive sessions.

We recommend pre-booking on the Better UK App. Any questions email: [email protected].

Top of page

Family fun for everyone at Energise Leisure Centre! From Junior Gym, Swimming, Racquet Sports and Rollerskating, the whole family will enjoy the great range of fun and affordable activities.

Rollerskating: Roller skating at Energise Leisure Centre is a fantastic activity hosted in the spacious sports hall, open to everyone. Whether you're a seasoned skater or a novice, the facility offers a welcoming environment for all skill levels.

  • Dates: Daily 7 April to 13 April and 21 April
  • Cost: £4.80

Racquets: Whether its Badminton, Pickleball or Tennis we have something on offer. Racquets are available to hire at £2.

  • Dates: Daily
  • Cost: £5.95 to £8.95

Swimming: We have a variety of swimming sessions available. The pools are open every day and sessions include Swim for all as well as Toddler Splash which includes toys in the Teaching Pool.

  • Dates: daily
  • Cost: Under 3’s swim for free and children swim for £1 before 10.00am during school holidays

We recommend pre-booking on the Better UK App. Any questions email: [email protected]

Top of page

Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they meet new friends, face dangerous foes and learn the lessons of courage, sacrifice, and the power of love. Suitable for children aged 6 and over.

  • Location: Grand Opera House, Cumberland Street, York, YO1 9SW
  • Date: Tuesday 22 April to Saturday 26 April 2025
  • Cost: From £15 (please note: transaction fees may apply)
  • Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes including interval

Book tickets to see The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at the Grand Opera House.

Top of page

Join the second-ever York City Nature Challenge from 25 to 28 April, 2025!

Spot an animal on your way to work or school? See an insect on a plant near your home? Take a few photos and upload them to iNaturalist to contribute to observations of biodiversity all around you during the York City Nature Challenge from 25-28th April 2025! Feel free to make your own observations of animals, plants and fungi where you live, work or play during these days.

See  York City Nature Challenge website  for details of local events.

Top of page

NET York brings the Sound of Music to the Joseph Rowntree Theatre.

  • Date: Tuesday 29 April to Saturday 3 May 2025 at various times
  • Location: Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York
  • Cost: £20 to £24

Book tickets to see The Sound of Music at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre.

Top of page

FREE and open to all ages!

Date Friday 2 – Monday 5 May

A whole host of activities and events including:

  • Live music (Friday 2 May from 7pm at Door 84, Lowther Street)
  • Family arts activities (Saturday 3 May 1pm – 4pm at Secret Garden between Del Pyke and March Street).
  • Festival Family Ceilidh (Saturday 3 May from 7pm at St Thomas’ Church, Lowther Street)
  • Art Exhibition (Saturday 3 May 10am – 4pm at St Thomas’ Church, Lowther Street)
  • Hot chocolate workshop (Saturday 3 May 10am – 11:30am at Chocolate and Co, Lowther Street)
  • Pet competition (Saturday 3 May at 3:30pm Secret Garden between Del Pyke and March Street)
  • Groves Heritage Walk (Saturday 3 may at 12noon start and finish at Bile Beans sign, Lord Mayors Walk)
  • Prayer Space and refreshments (Saturday 3 May 10am – 4pm at St Thomas’ Church, Lowther Street).
  • Church for All service (Sunday 4 May, 10:30am at St Thomas’ Church, Lowther Street)

For more details visit Grove Association website.

Top of page

Come and celebrate Mayday with different crafting fun for children including boat making!

  • Date and time: Monday 5 May at 12.00pm(noon) – 2.00pm
  • Location: At the picnic table area.
  • Cost: FREE (Donations are always welcome)

Top of page

The Right to Protest for Children and Young People: Setting an Agenda for Human Rights Cities

In recent years, children and young people have increasingly been involved in protests - on issues such as climate change, education, citizenship, the impact of war, or even on the right to sing. This public lecture will include some interesting histories of child protestors, demonstrating that this is not a new phenomenon. The lecture will explain the rights to freedom of association and assembly which are protected by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and will propose an agenda for human rights cities to enable children and young people to safely exercise their right to peaceful protest.

To book register on Eventbrite

  • When: 8th May 2025
  • Time: 6:00pm to 7:40pm
  • Location: Huntington Room, Kings Manor, YO1 7EP

Young people and groups in the city are invited to send expressions of interest for arts-based or advocacy projects relating to the right to protest and the right to freedom of association and assembly, to [email protected].

The expression of interest should be no longer that 2 pages of A4 pages long, and should address the following questions:

  1. Who is involved?
  2. Why do you wish to do a project on these themes?
  3. What is the nature of your arts-based or advocacy intervention?
  4. Will it accompany the lecture, or take place before or after the lecture?
  5. How will you document your project?
  6. What budget support do you need to carry out your project? 

The deadline for expressions of interest is 1st May 2025. Projects can ask for budget support of up to £1,000. Please note, that this will be a competitive process, and we will not be able to support all protect proposals.

Top of page

The perfect show for 7 to 11 year olds.

  • Dates: 12, 13 and 17 May
  • Location: York Explore and the Friargate Theatre

A touching and funny story of family, friends and fitting in, Sarah McDonald-Hughes’ play is ideal for children and their grown ups, who never want to let go of the magic of being a kid.

Warning: contains dancing, chocolate cake, dinosaurs, superheroes and an epic car chase!

Book your tickets online to see How to be a kid.

Top of page

The city’s own wandering Wizard has plans to bring the first ever Wizard festival to town. WizardFest will take place on May 24th to 26th, with more magical fun than you can shake a wand at…

Events include extra Wizard Walks, Harry Potter films at City Screen, Lego workshops with The Brick Box, A Kind of Magic sessions from Story Craft Theatre, Witch and Wizard crafts with Avocado Events, bird of prey experiences, dragon meet-and-greets and more.

  • Date: Saturday 24 May to Monday 26 May 2025

Visit Wizard Walk of York website for full details and schedule.

Follow us on Facbook for WizardFest updates and booking links.

Top of page

York Festival of Ideas presents over 200 mostly free events designed to educate, entertain and inspire. This year the theme is 'Making Waves'.

  • Date: Saturday 31 May to Friday 13 June 2025
  • Cost: free!

Find more information about York Festival of Ideas 2025.

Top of page

Join our team of industry professionals as we explore, cast, rehearse and perform CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG JR. Our creative team will lead sessions in singing, dance and drama as we prepare the show for performance on the last day. This is your chance to appear in our very own version of an amazing show and we’re sure it’ll be an experience you won’t forget!

Every student will receive five days of professional industry tuition and the opportunity to rehearse and perform in the show, as well as a free PQA Summer School t-shirt.

  • Rehearsal / Workshop Days: Monday 4 August to Thursday 8 August 2025, 9.30am to 4.30pm
  • Performance Day: Friday 9 August 2025, 9.30am arrival, with a performance for family & friends at 5.30pm, sign out at 6.45pm
  • Cost: PQA Students £160, Non PQA students £170

Enrol now via the TicketTailor website

For more information, contact James Aconley on telephone 07753 179070 or email [email protected]

Top of page

Blue arrow pointing upwards