Head to York Castle Museum this summer (19th July to 31st August 2025) for a Victorian-style extravaganza that brings the past brilliantly to life for visitors of all ages.

This summer, the museum’s much-loved Victorian street, Kirkgate, will be bursting with colour, music and flowers as it transforms into a joyful scene inspired by the grand summer galas of 19th-century York. Picture cobbled lanes strung with bunting, gorgeous floral displays and even sweet summer scents drifting through the air. It’s a feast for the senses and a perfect backdrop for your holiday snaps.

There’s something happening every day

Every corner of York Castle Museum will be packed with family-friendly fun this summer, including:

• – Live musical performances every Sunday in the yard
• – The ever-popular History Riot theatre troupe, with time-travelling escapades led by Phinneas Fickletickle.
• – Circus-themed shows every Tuesday from The Silly History Boy, full of juggling, laughter and Victorian silliness.
• – Drop-in craft activities daily under the outdoor marquee, including poster printing, summer-themed games and gala dress-up.
• – Edible flower demos and hands-on floral crafts every Sunday, perfect for green-fingered families.

Every Friday, don’t miss Hoglets Theatre Company, who’ll be helping little ones make their own bird-of-prey puppets before joining a puppet parade around the museum.

New for 2025 – ‘Art of Motion’ Exhibition

Brand new for this summer, the Art of Motion exhibition invites you into a world of vintage clockwork toys and weirdly wonderful automata machines. There are plenty of opportunities to get hands-on, with interactive activities and Brio building sets that’ll keep curious kids (and grown-ups!) entertained. Please note: some of the automata machines require a small extra charge to operate.

Something for the grown-ups

Love flowers? Discover the Victorian language of flowers in special workshops on flower arranging, pressing and lino printing. (Advance booking required via the museum website.)

Tickets valid all year!

Best of all, tickets from York Castle Museum are valid for 12 months, so you can come back and explore again and again. Whether you’re visiting York for the summer or you’re lucky enough to call it home, it’s one of the best days out for families this summer.

York Castle Museum, Eye of York, York, YO1 9RY – All tickets are valid for 12 months and under 5s and York children go free!