From Vikings to Victorians, chocolate makers to history shapers, York is brilliant for families all year round. But if you’re wondering when is the best time to visit York with kids, the honest answer is: it completely depends on what kind of trip you want.
Crowd-free exploring? Twinkly festive magic? Outdoor adventures or just hitting all the big landmarks? Here’s our insider Little Vikings-approved guide to visiting York month by month, with our tips on what works best for different ages, budgets and energy levels (not to mention how your family deals with the various types of Yorkshire weather!).
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At a glance – The best time to visit York with kids
- Best all-round time: May, June & early September – Mild weather, longer days and fewer crowds than peak summer.
- Best budget-friendly time: January to March (excluding school holidays) – Cheaper hotel rooms, more deals available on museum admission and eating out. Fun events and activities like York Ice Trail and JORVIK Viking Festival.
- Best for Christmas magic: Mid November to the end of December – Loads of Christmas events, Santa’s grottos, light trails, festive food and much more.
- Best for outdoor-loving families: Late spring and summer – Lovely weather and longer days.
Spring in York (March–May): Fresh air, fewer crowds and lots to do
Spring is a really lovely time to visit York with kids. The daffodils appear on the city walls, the weather’s milder and longer days mean there’s more time to explore. In fact, it’s a great excuse to stay longer and explore the North York Moors or Yorkshire Dales for a day or more.
🌸 Spring in York – What you’ll love
- – Quieter streets than summer, especially midweek
- – You might catch the iconic daffodils in bloom along the city walls
- – Comfortable temperatures for exploring
- – Green spaces, like York Museum Gardens and Rowntree Park, are bursting into life
- – Good-value accommodation outside the Easter holidays
- – Plenty of indoor and outdoor attractions, so you’ll have options whatever the weather
🧭 Spring in York – What to plan for
- – Changeable spring weather
- – Peak times like the Easter holidays and May half term can get busy, so plan in advance.
🌼 Spring in York – Our highlights
– Easter hunts and trails – All around the city and beyond at places like Castle Howard, Beningbrough, Piglets Adventure Park and Stockeld Park.
– York Restaurant Week (March) – Special offers and deals at York’s cafes and restaurants
– Mayhem at Piglets Adventure Farm – May half term fun at one of York’s top attractions for kids
– WizardFest – A city-wide celebration of all things magical (May)
– Much more – There’s always something going on in York for kids. Follow Little Vikings on Instagram for the latest, and sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Summer in York (June to August): Big day trips and little pleasures
Summer in York has a brilliant buzz about it, but it does bring in the crowds. You won’t be the only ones enjoying the warm weather and sunny days (not guaranteed – sorry) but the city looks stunning in the sunshine, and it’s perfect picnic weather.
☀️ Summer in York – What you’ll love
- – Long daylight hours are perfect for exploring without having to wrap up in winter gear
- – Outdoor attractions and events are in full swing, with loads to do
- – Easy day trips to the coast, moors and dales
- – Big, free attractions like the National Railway Museum are perfect for kids and keep costs down.
🧭 Summer in York – What to plan for
- – It’s the most popular time to visit, so expect peak crowds and peak prices
- – Accommodation needs booking well ahead
- – The city centre can feel busy by midday, so head out early
- – Hot kids can get grumpy!
🍦 Summer in York – Our highlights
- – York Maze, a brilliant day out for all ages, is only open in the summer
- – We love York’s ice cream boats
- – There are loads of great day trips within easy reach, from Castle Howard to Stockeld Park, Mother Shipton’s, Brimham Rocks and the North Yorkshire Moors, Dales and Coast in general. Use public transport if you can to avoid summer traffic.
Autumn in York (September–October): A lovely time to visit
If we had to pick one season, early autumn might just win. The weather’s often still good, the crowds thin out, and York feels calmer but still lively. There’s also a huge amount going on, especially in October.
🍁 Autumn in York – What you’ll love
- – September often feels like a calmer extension of summer
- – Fewer crowds and a gentler pace
- – Ideal temperatures for walking and sightseeing
- – Easier to book tables, tickets and places to stay
- – It’s a lovely time to see the seasons change
🧭 Autumn in York – What to plan for
- – Shorter days as autumn goes on
- – October half term can be very busy
- – Expect mixed weather, but don’t worry – there are loads of things to do indoors
🎃 Autumn in York – Our highlights
- – Pumpkin picking galore
- – Ghosts in the Gardens, a free trail around York
- – York Ghost Week
- – York Restaurant Week
- – Loads of amazing Halloween events and activities for kids
Christmas in York (November and December): A magical time
York does Christmas really well, with sparkling lights, an award-winning Christmas market, world-class Christmas experiences and amazing shopping opportunities. It can be busy, but with a bit of planning it’s still a brilliant time to visit with kids.
🎄Christmas in York – What you’ll love
- – Beautiful lights and decorations
- – York Christmas Market
- – Lots of lovely independent shops for your Christmas shopping
- – Festive events and experiences
🧭 Christmas in York – What to plan for
- – Shorter, darker days
- – It’s a popular time to visit, so expect higher prices for accommodation
- – Can get very busy, so head out early in the day/week for the calmest experience
🎅🏻 Christmas in York – Our highlights
- – Christmas at Castle Howard is gorgeous
- – Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland is your only chance to ice skate in York
- – Festive afternoon tea offerings at the hotels
- – Amazing pantomimes and Christmas shows
- – Lots of places to meet Santa
Winter in York (January and February) – Calm and budget-friendly
Don’t dismiss winter as a good time for your trip to York. The city’s quieter, prices are lower and you’re unlikely to have to queue for the popular experiences and places to eat. Just pack everyone’s big coats!
❄️ Winter in York – Calm and budget-friendly
- – Fewer visitors
- – Better deals on places to stay
- – Move at your own pace without the crowds
🧭 Winter in York – What to plan for
- – You’ll probably need to wrap up warm, so take layers!
- – Check that the places you’d like to visit are open (most attractions are year-round but some, like York Maze and Mother Shipton’s, aren’t).
❄️ Winter in York – Our highlights
- – York Ice Trail (January/February)
– JORVIK Viking Festival (February) - – Loads of amazing events at February half term
So if you’re still wondering about the best time of year to visit York, don’t worry – you can’t really get it wrong. York’s compact, easy to explore on foot and bursting with family-friendly things to do all year round. And with so many attractions within easy reach, too, our top recommendation would be to come whenever you like but stay as long as you can.
This guide was written by the Little Vikings editorial team. Little Vikings is an award-winning, independent guide to family-friendly activities in and around York, run by a local family with an in depth knowledge of the best things to do and places to go.
About Little Vikings – York for Kids
Little Vikings is York’s award-winning family guide, run by a local family who know the city inside out. We explore, review and recommend the best things to do, see, eat and experience with kids in York and beyond.
