Giant illuminated dandelions, bubbles floating through the garden and hot chocolate – Glow at RHS Harlow Carr is back for 2026, celebrating its tenth anniversary with new installations and plenty of sparkle! Running on selected dates from 26 November to 30 December 2026, this popular light trail in Harrogate is a lovely excuse to wrap […]

Saturday 14 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 The snow has fallen, the Christmas tree is lit and Christmas Day is just one sleep away. Step back in time at York Castle Museum this festive season and discover a traditional Yorkshire Christmas, from twinkling shopfronts to a familiar face in a green cloak. Christmas […]

Christmas in York is wonderful, but after a busy morning in the shops, a warm seat and a change of scenery can feel like a gift in itself. This year, City Cruises York has two ways to enjoy the festive season on the River Ouse: a Santa Experience for families and a Festive Sightseeing Cruise […]

It’s that time of year again – your chance to show your love and appreciation for the many fantastic family-friendly places in and around York! Now celebrating its 12th year, the Little Vikings Awards recognises the very best York has to offer for children and families. It’s the only awards scheme that shines a spotlight […]

Looking for the best places to see Santa in York in 2026? From magical grottos and festive farms to Santa trains, Christmas cruises and chocolate-filled adventures, there are some wonderful ways to meet Father Christmas in York and North Yorkshire. And if you’re looking for more things to do in York this festive season, click […]

Looking for things to do in York with kids this weekend? Here’s our handpicked selection of the best family-friendly events and activities in and around York, from free fun to brilliant days out. Updated for 14 & 15 November 2026. The best things to do in York this weekend A Dickens of a Christmas at […]

If you’re lucky enough to be in York at Christmas, there’s one place you really must follow the twinkling lights to: York Minster. A joy at any time of year, York Minster is even more magical at Christmas, with lots of reasons to visit, from the fabulous Christmas Tree Festival to carol concerts and a […]

York Christmas Market – also known as St Nicholas Fair – is set to return from Thursday 12 November to Monday 21 December 2026, 10.30am to 5pm (closed on Tuesdays). The famous alpine chalets will return to line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, creating a festive wonderland of local traders and artisan products. Organised by […]

Twinkling woodland lights, busy elves and a cosy grotto: there’s plenty to get little ones excited about Christmas at Mother Shipton’s. With storytelling, reindeer food and even owl mail, this festive adventure has lots to enjoy alongside meeting the man in red. A warm welcome from Santa’s elves Follow the lights into the Christmas Village, […]

Jingle bells! Christmas in York 2026 will be here before we know it, and it’s going to be another magical festive season for families. If you’re looking for the best family-friendly Christmas events in York, you’ve come to the right place. From enchanting Santa’s grottos to sparkling Christmas light trails, side-splitting pantomimes to festive days […]

If your idea of Christmas involves a little less glitter and a lot more mischief, this one’s for you! From 9 November to 3 January, JORVIK Viking Centre presents A Winter Misadventure, a family Christmas event set in snowy Viking-age York in AD 960. This year, Odin has set the Icelandic Yule Lads loose in […]

The temperature’s falling and the nights are drawing in, but let’s not be gloomy. It’s the season for spectacular light trails near York, from twinkling gardens and glowing woodland walks to illuminated abbey ruins and colourful city centre installations. If you’re looking for the best winter illuminations near York, including festive trails, Halloween light shows […]

Rain, rain, go away? Not necessarily! There are so many brilliant things to do in York with kids on a rainy day that a bit of bad weather needn’t spoil your plans. From Vikings to Victorians, dinosaurs to steam trains, there’s no shortage of indoor adventures to enjoy, whether you’re visiting York for the day […]

This Christmas, the Grand Opera House York is hosting York’s swashbuckling pantomime! Join Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Tinker Bell and Smee at Grand Opera House York for a brand-new adventure, packed full of action, gravity-defying flying scenes and laugh-out-loud comedy. Musical theatre & TV star Tom Lister (Emmerdale, 42nd Street) stars as Captain Hook. After […]

York’s much-loved ghosts will gather in York Museum Gardens once again this November, and Ghosts After Dark promises to be bigger, spookier and more atmospheric than ever. Taking place from Wednesday 4th to Sunday 8th November 2026, the event will bring all 70 sculptures from York BID’s Ghosts in the Gardens trail together in one […]

Looking for something spooky to do with the kids in York this October half term? Barley Hall is recruiting trainee ghost hunters to help track down the spirits hiding in its medieval rooms. And once the kids are tucked up in bed, there’s an adults-only evening of ghost stories too. Quick, book a babysitter! Haunted […]

Yorkshire’s most spooktacular Halloween event is back! Join us for thrilling family fun in the daytime with a spooky woodland trail, live-action witches in the forest, pumpkin picking, the mummy maze and zombie laser tag. As evening draws in, our brand-new Pumpkin Nights begin – a seasonal night out with a difference.  Join us for […]

While we’ll never stop hoping that they’ll one day bring back the massive York bonfire night and firework displays we enjoyed as kids – anyone else remember the sight of fireworks waterfalling down Clifford’s Tower or the massive, free displays on the Knavesmire? – there are still some fun ways to celebrate York’s naughtiest plotter. […]

Deciding between a family walk around York city centre or a woodland walk nearby? It’s a dilemma! We’re lucky to have lots of great options for places to walk with kids. York itself is a very walkable city – all of the main attractions, from York Minster at one end to the JORVIK Viking Centre […]

Searching for an affordable, weather-resistant way to entertain the children this October Half Term? Head to the river. As York’s only boat tour, City Cruises provides a unique vantage point of the city. You can relax while the captain guides you or take control of a private boat. Here are five reasons to book a […]