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.
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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.
📍 York city centre (various venues)
🗓 16 to 22 February 2026
ℹ️ jorvikvikingfestival.co.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
Journey through time and uncover the fascinating story of human life 11,000 years ago in the Star Carr: Life after the ice exhibition. Meet the people of the Roman Empire, explore treasures from Medieval York, and so much more! Plus, immerse yourself in the Jurassic period to discover incredible fossils and dinosaurs with the museum’s newly upgraded Virtual and Augmented Reality experiences. All tickets are valid for 12 months – so you can return as many times as you like throughout the year!
📍 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
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 download a FREE February Fun Kid’s Kit packed with activities for Grosmont, Goathland, and the trains too. Visit the NYMR website
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).
