February half term in York 2027 takes place from Saturday 6 February to Sunday 14 February 2027
February half-term events for 2027 are beginning to be announced. We’ll keep updating this guide with the best family days out, activities and events in York and North Yorkshire, so bookmark it and check back soon.
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.
We’re a York family and have been sharing tried-and-tested ideas for days out with kids since 2013. We’ll keep updating this guide as new events are announced, so bookmark it and check back before half term.
February half term in York at a glance
⚔️ Headline event: JORVIK Viking Festival
🌌 Best evening activity: Dark Skies Festival
💰 Best free activity: National Railway Museum
☔ Best for a rainy day: The Web Adventure Park
😎 Best for older children and teens: The Hole in Wand
🎟️ Booking advice: Book popular Viking Festival activities as early as possible
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JORVIK Viking Festival 2027
The Vikings return to York from 8 to 14 February 2027 for a week of living history, family activities, workshops, performances and dramatic battles. Some events are free, while the most popular ticketed activities need booking in advance. Take a look at our guide to the best activities for kids at this year’s JORVIK Viking Festival.
📍 York city centre (various venues)
🗓 Monday 8 to Sunday 14 February 2027
ℹ️ jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk
February half-term events in York
Colour and Light (FREE!)
2027 details to be confirmed
📍 Keep checking back!
Indoor activities for February half term
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
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
Travel back in time at York Castle Museum
Discover Victorian York with an 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
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
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
🌐 yorkarmymuseum.co.uk
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
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
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.
📅 Open daily
📍 DIG: An Archaeological Adventure, St Saviourgate, York YO1 8NN
🔗 Visit the DIG York website
Outdoor activities and days out near York
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
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?
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
Dark Skies Festival 2027
Look to the skies this February half-term with the Dark Skies Festival 2027 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
🗓 5 February – 21 February 2027
ℹ️ northyorkmoors.org.uk
Kids go free at Askham Bryan Wildlife Park – TBC
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
Free and cheap February half term activities
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).
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.
Places to eat
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 >
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
February half term in York FAQs
When is February half term in York in 2027?
For most York schools, February half term runs from Monday 8 to Friday 12 February 2027. Including the weekends, the main holiday period is Saturday 6 to Sunday 14 February. Dates can vary, so check with your child’s school before making plans.
What is happening in York during February half term?
York’s headline event is the JORVIK Viking Festival, alongside family activities at museums and attractions, creative workshops, outdoor adventures and special half-term events. We’ll add more activities as they are confirmed.
When is the JORVIK Viking Festival 2027?
The JORVIK Viking Festival runs from Monday 8 to Sunday 14 February 2027. The city-wide festival includes living history, Viking encampments, workshops, performances and family activities, with a mixture of free and ticketed events.
Are there free things to do in York during February half term?
Yes. Families can visit the National Railway Museum, walk York’s city walls, follow the free Little Vikings I Spy Trail and enjoy winter walks around York. The JORVIK Viking Festival and Dark Skies Festival usually include some free events too.
