February half term in York 2026 takes place from 14th to 22nd February 2026
February half term in York is great fun. Resist the urge to hibernate, wrap up warm and enjoy the best activities and events on offer in and around York this February. There’s lots to do in York with kids at this time of year, from the JORVIK Viking Festival to a magical fairy trail. We’ve got things to do for free, and some good options for things to do if it rains, too. Here are our highlights this February half term in York.
RECOMMENDED
💰 The best free and cheap things to do in York
🪄The best Harry Potter things to do in York
🛌 The best places to stay in York with kids
🤪 The best unusual things to do in York
👶 The best things to do in York with a baby/toddler
📗 Read the Little Vikings Family Guide to York
😎 The best things to do with older kids and teens in York
February half term in York 2026 – Our ultimate guide
Colour and Light (FREE!)
York’s much loved Colour & Light event, brought to the city by The York BID, is back for 2026 and it’s bigger than ever. This time, the projections will light up two landmarks at once, with York Castle Museum and Clifford’s Tower becoming one huge canvas at the Eye of York. It’s completely free, brilliant for a winter evening in the city, and a top pick for February half term. Find all the details here in our handy guide to Colour and Light.
📍 Eye of York (York Castle Museum & Clifford’s Tower), York YO1 9WZ
🗓 4 to 22 February 2026
⏰ 6pm to 9pm nightly (show every 10 minutes)
ℹ️ theyorkbid.com/colour-and-light
JORVIK Viking Festival 2026 (FREE!)
The Vikings are back for the JORVIK Viking Festival in 2026! 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. Take a look at our guide to the best activities for kids at this year’s JORVIK Viking Festival.
📍 York city centre (various venues)
🗓 16 to 22 February 2026
ℹ️ jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk
Discover the essence of the Unicorn this February half term at The Hole in Wand!
This February marks The Celestial Convergence, a 900 year cycle of unicorn magic, where magic is at its strongest. During your magical adventure, use unicorn magic to aid your wizard golf quest! Take on 9 magical holes and see if you can spot all the hidden unicorn horns at The Hole In Wand York. Book today before the slots vanish!
🗓 14 February – 1 March 2026
📍 The Hole In Wand, Coppergate, York YO1 9NT
ℹ️ theholeinwand.com
Rebuild the Railway in LEGO® at the National Railway Museum
Head to the National Railway Museum during half term and rebuild the railway in LEGO®! This completely free event is perfect for LEGO® fans big and small. See magnificent railway layouts, follow the minifigure trail and add to our very own railway bricks layout.
🗓 14 February – 22 February 2026
📍 National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ
ℹ️ railwaymuseum.org
Self‑Drive Boats from £10pp and Kids Under 5 Go Free on Sightseeing Cruises!
There are some great family-friendly boat options on the River Ouse this February half term, with kids under 5 going free on Sightseeing Cruises and Self-Drive Boats from just £10pp for a family of five.
📍 City Cruises York,King’s Staith and Lendal Bridge Landings, York YO1 9SN
🗓️ Open daily – check the website for cruise times and availability
🌐 www.citycruisesyork.com
Travel back in time at York Castle Museum
Step into Victorian York with a brand-new immersive Kirkgate experience, plus Victorian classroom sessions, Castle Kitchen tastings, creative costume design and prison cell talks. All activities are included with general admission, alongside much-loved galleries like Sixties Street and the Period Rooms.
📍 York Castle Museum, Eye of York, York YO1 9RY
💻 yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk
Family fun at York Army Museum
Get stuck into half-term fun at York Army Museum with hands-on object handling, family trails, crafts and the popular Tank Arcade game. Discover the Object Journeys exhibition, join mini art missions, or book a Twilight Tour for a rare after-dark experience (free!). Tickets last a year, with 25% off using a Little Vikings Card.
📍 York Army Museum, 3 Tower Street, York YO1 9SB
📅 14 to 21 February 2026
🌐 yorkarmymuseum.co.uk
Do the Room on the Broom Trail at Dalby Forest
Follow Witch and her friends on a spellbinding walk through Dalby Forest on the brand new Room on the Broom Trail. Along the way, help track down Witch’s missing hat, bow and wand, and collect magical ingredients to complete her spell.
📍 Dalby Forest, Dalby Forest Drive, Thornton-le-Dale, North Yorkshire, Pickering YO18 7LT
💻 Visit the Dalby Forest website
Be inspired at York Art Gallery
Get creative with half-term craft activities inspired by the Harold Gosney exhibition, using the gallery’s collections as inspiration. Younger children will love Wicked Wednesday storytelling adventures with Storycraft Theatre, too. All under 5s and all York kids enjoy free admission to the gallery.
📍 York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square, York YO1 7EW
💻 yorkartgallery.org.uk
Little Vikings I Spy Trail – A free family walking trail of York
Recommended by The Sunday Times, the Little Vikings I Spy Trail is a fun, free walking trail around York. We’ve designed it to help families explore the best bits of York, with lots to see along the way. Download a map from our website or pick one up from the Visit York Information Centre.
Explore York by boat with City Cruises York
City Cruises York has a wide range of cruises to keep your children entertained all year round, and it’s a great way to see York from another perspective. The river is one of York’s biggest and best attractions, and no visit to York is complete without spending some time walking by it or sailing on it! Take a river cruise or pack a picnic and hire a self-drive boat. There are early evening cruises too. Why not use our City Cruises York discount code?
Dark Skies Festival 2026 (FREE!)
Look to the skies this February half-term with the Dark Skies Festival 2026 in the glorious North York Moors. Taking place from 13th February to 1st March, activities include stargazing, nocturnal walks, nighttime trail runs, crafts, trails and more. Here’s the full programme >
📍 Across the North York Moors
🗓 13 February – 1 March 2026
ℹ️ northyorkmoors.org.uk
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 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.
📍 National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ
🗓 Open daily
ℹ️ railwaymuseum.org.uk
Step into History at the Yorkshire Museum
Explore the Viking North exhibition with live Viking performances from History Riot and artist-led family workshops inspired by Norse history. With immersive storytelling, creative crafts and fascinating artefacts, it’s a brilliant half-term experience for curious kids and history lovers.
📍 Yorkshire Museum, Museum Gardens, York YO1 7FR
🗓 Open daily
ℹ️ yorkshiremuseum.org.uk
Visit York Army Museum
There’s plenty to enjoy at York Army Museum this February half-term, with family-friendly activities and no booking required. Plus, your admission ticket is valid for 12 months, so you can visit as often as you like! Visit the York Army Museum website
Kids go free at Askham Bryan Wildlife Park
Returning for February half term, head to the wonderful Askham Bryan Wildlife Park for talks, events, games and crafts, and creatures galore! Kids go free, so don’t delay in pre-booking your tickets. Visit the website
Take a trip to The Balloon Tree
Head down to The Balloon Tree for an award-winning family-friendly breakfast or lunch. Kids love the outdoor play area, and dogs love the dog-friendly garden!
📍 The Balloon Tree, Stamford Bridge Road, Gate Helmsley, York YO41 1NB
🗓 Open daily
ℹ️ theballoontree.co.uk
Rainy days in York
February half term isn’t known for good weather, so check out our guide to the best indoor activities in York. Read our Rainy days in York guide
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! 📍 Dreamery Gardens, Buttercrambe Moor Road, York YO41 1AP
🗓 Opening times vary (check online before you set off)
ℹ️ dreamerygardens.co.uk
February frolics at Piglets Adventure Farm
Reopening in February for the 2026 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 new panto, 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.
📍 Piglets Adventure Farm, Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, York YO32 9ST
🗓 14 to 22 February 2026
ℹ️ Piglets Adventure Farm
Have a round of wizard golf at The Hole in Wand
Calling all witches, wizards and mythical creatures, your quest awaits. Take on 9 enchanted holes on the world’s most magical mini-golf course. Hear tales of York’s wizarding lore, uncover the secret word and join the search for the potion brewing gargoyle, Grobblenook. Click here to use your Little Vikings Family Card for a FREE premium upgrade!
📍 The Hole In Wand, 14 – 16 Coppergate Walk, York YO1 9NT
🗓 Open daily (opening times vary)
ℹ️ theholeinwand.com
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. 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!
📍 York’s Chocolate Story, King’s Square, York YO1 7LD
🗓 Open daily (10am to 5pm)
ℹ️ yorkschocolatestory.com
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.
📅 Open daily
📍 JORVIK Viking Centre, 19 Coppergate, York YO1 9WT
🔗 Book online at jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk
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.
📅 Open daily
📍 Barley Hall, 2 Coffee Yard, York YO1 8AR
🔗 Visit the Barley Hall website
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 2026.
📅 Open daily
📍 DIG: An Archaeological Adventure, St Saviourgate, York YO1 8NN
🔗 Visit the DIG York website
Tee off at York Golf Range
Have some fun in the fresh air at York Golf Range. Navigate the obstacles on the crazy golf course or have a go at footgolf, ideal for kids age 4+.
📍 York Golf Range, Towthorpe Moor Lane, Towthorpe, York YO32 9ST
🗓 Open daily (see website for hours)
ℹ️ yorkgolfrange.com
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).
