Attention young Romans! The ever-popular Eboracum Roman Festival is returning to York Museum Gardens for 2023. Taking place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th July 2023, there’s plenty for children to enjoy at this free, family-friendly event.

Explore the day-to-day lives of citizens and centurions through living history demonstrations, expert talks, hands-on activities and storytelling for all ages. Visitors can expect demonstrations of military techniques, crafts such as coin casting and leatherworking, as well as learning how to write in Latin script and how to play Roman board games. The popular Kid’s Army and Gladiator School will also return this year, giving children the chance to get involved with exciting Roman re-enactments. To explore fashion through the Roman age, Lorie Ann from California’s Legion Six Victrix in Los Angeles will host a light-hearted look at Classical Couture.

New for 2023 is ‘Circus Maximus’, a chance for families to get creative with a range of hands-on activities, including making a hobby horse to enter in either the chariot race or equestrian dressage. For further Roman fun, visitors can step inside the Yorkshire Museum to enjoy some of Yorkshire’s most significant collections, including our current exhibition ‘The Ryedale Hoard’, which includes a 1,800-year-old bust of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Explore fascinating Roman galleries and walk on a real Roman mosaic! All activities and exhibitions inside the Yorkshire Museum are included in general admission.

The free, family-friendly festival will run on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 July 2023 throughout York Museum Gardens.