Colour and Light at York Art Gallery (FREE!)

York’s much-loved Colour & Light event, brought to the city by The York BID, is back and set to dazzle visitors of all ages at the iconic York Minster. Running from Wednesday 12th February to Sunday 2nd March 2025, this completely free event is one of our favourites of the year and one of our top tips for February half term. Find all the details here in our handy guide to Colour and Light.

12th February to Sunday 2nd March 2025 – Visit The York BID website

JORVIK Viking Festival 2025 (FREE!)

The Vikings are back for the JORVIK Viking Festival in 2025! They will once again be pitching their tents in central York in February for five days of living history, hands-on fun, craft workshops and many other activities. Find out more >

Dark Skies Festival 2025 (FREE!)

Look to the skies this February half-term with the Dark Skies Festival 2025 in the glorious North York Moors. Taking place from 14th February to 2nd March, activities include stargazing, nocturnal walks, nighttime trail runs, crafts, trails and more. Here’s the full programme >

Visit the National Railway Museum (FREE!)

Head to the National Railway Museum this February half term to enjoy all that the museum has to offer. While you’re there, why not check out Wonderlab, the new interactive gallery? There’s an additional charge, but we think it’s well worth the entrance fee. There’s plenty to see in the rest of the museum too, and general admission is free. Find out more >

Explore the woods at Dreamery Gardens

Dreamery Gardens (formerly Northwood Trail), England’s Fairy Sanctuary, is a magical place to visit with children, just outside Stamford Bridge. Set in 100 acres of stunning woodland, spot the fairy doors, get lost in the maze and enjoy the peace and quiet. Don’t miss the little fairy museum, and make sure you have time to stop at Dreamery Kitchen for a drink or something to eat. They do kids’ parties too! Find out more >

February frolics at Piglets Adventure Farm

Reopening in February for the 2025 season, Piglets Adventure Farm is the place to be for lots of baa-rilliant fun! See lambs being born (and bottle feed them), do the farmyard trail, watch the hilarious ‘Bo Peep’s Lost the Flock Again’ live show (and meet Bo Peep and friends), explore the adventure playground, run off steam in the indoor play barn and much more. Note that the beach and fairy tale trail will be closed. Find out more >

February fun on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Shake off the winter blues and enjoy steam rides from Whitby to Grosmont and Goathland on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway this February half-term! Families can soon download a FREE February Fun Kid’s Kit packed with activities for Grosmont, Goathland, and the trains.

To kick off Railway 200 celebrations, don’t miss the beautifully restored NER Electric Autocar No. 3170. Ride this unique diesel-powered car between Grosmont and Goathland stations—Goathland famously appeared as Hogsmeade station in the first Harry Potter film! Visit the NYMR website

Eat somewhere new!

York’s packed with amazing places to eat and drink with kids, but it can be hard to know where to start. Take a look at our handy guide to family-friendly places to eat around the city. Read our guide >

Chocolate masterclass at York’s Chocolate Story

Join York’s Chocolate Story for a fun-filled chocolate masterclass on the 18th, 19th and 20th February. Led by an expert chocolatier, this activity promises a delightful experience for the entire family where you can unleash your creativity and craft delicious chocolates together! Visit the website to book.

Take a river cruise or hire a self-drive boat

Ahoy there! For a fun and memorable family experience in York, look to the river. Choose from a relaxed cruise along the Ouse with commentary from your captain, or brave the waters with a self-drive hire boat. We’ve done both and loved them equally. Use your Little Vikings Family Card for a discount on self-drive hires.

Find out more >

Experience Viking-age York

Take your little Vikings to discover York’s Viking legacy at the award-winning JORVIK Viking Centre. Hop aboard the time capsule to 10th-century York and take in the sights, sounds and smells of the Viking Age city. Dig deeper into the Viking story of York by getting close-up with a rare collection of 1,000-year-old-artefacts whilst talking to friendly Viking hosts. The Vikings are also back in York for JORVIK Viking Festival this February half-term.

Find out more >

Discover a hidden medieval gem

Barley Hall is a picturesque medieval townhouse tucked away down one of the oldest streets in York. Once home to the Priors of Nostell, Barley Hall has been restored to its original splendour. Little ones can make themselves at home, join in dress-up fun and activities in a Tudor School Room and experience what it would have been like to live in medieval England.

Find out more >

Dig into some archaeological fun

At DIG, kids get to discover only the most exciting archaeological artefacts from the 2000 years of history hidden under the streets of York. Four excavation pits are filled with Roman, Viking, medieval and Victorian finds, so you can grab a trowel and dig up the clues that show how people lived in these times. This is a one-of-a-kind! Don’t miss Poo Day at DIG! Kids can make their very own replica Viking poo, as part of JORVIK Viking Festival 2025.

Find out more >

Stay in a cottage at Middletons York

Middletons is one of York’s most family-friendly hotels – they even have gorgeous family cottages in the grounds! Children will love all the extra touches, and the central location is hard to beat.

Find out more >

Go for a winter walk

There’s nothing better than a bracing winter walk, and we’ve got plenty to choose from. From a circular walk at Askham Bog to the Little Vikings I Spy Trail around York city centre and the white horse walk at Sutton Bank, we’ve got it covered (but it’s up to you to remember the snacks).

Read our guide to walks near York >