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 12 & 13 September 2026. The best things to do in York this Weekend Pick Your Own Apples at Ampleforth […]

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 […]

One of York’s favourite festive destinations is getting even better – and more sparkly – this Christmas, with the arrival of a brand new outdoor ice rink in the heart of Museum Gardens! THOR’S on ICE will open alongside THOR’S tipi, combining delicious drinks, food and live entertainment with one of the most Christmassy of […]

Fancy eating out in York without spending a fortune? Of course you do! York Restaurant Week returns from 5th to 18th October 2026, with two whole weeks of tempting offers at restaurants, cafés, pubs and street food spots across the city centre. More than 100 York venues are expected to take part, with food and […]

Exciting news for parents of little ones in York! There’s a brand new class in town, and it’s a really good one. babyballet® York & Selby offers award-winning, fun and friendly dance classes for little stars aged 6 months to 6 years. Our magical classes introduce children to the joy of movement through music, storytelling […]

Don’t let the rain stop play! There are plenty of things to do on a rainy day in York, and these are some of the best indoor activities, whether you fancy visiting an attraction, losing yourselves in a movie or getting creative and making something lovely to take home with you. Rainy days in York […]

October half term in York 2026: 24 October to 1 November 2026 (for most York schools). Always check your school’s dates! Looking for the best things to do in York this October half term? The school holidays run from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 for most York families, with Halloween falling on […]

While we might disagree on what constitutes a sensible meal, a nice outfit or a reasonable bedtime, there’s one thing parents and kids can generally agree on: freshly baked goods make life a little bit brighter. York’s bakery scene is booming, so whether you fancy a tasty local breakfast, trying a local delicacy or need […]

York’s best free family walking trails are the Little Vikings I Spy Trail, the Snickelways & Silly Street Names Trail, the York Cat Hunt, the York Rivers Trail (older children) and a walk along York’s City Walls (ages 5+). All are free, self-guided and can be downloaded or picked up in the city centre. If […]

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 […]

Looking for hands-on activities for your kids in York this summer? DIG is the place to be. If your family loves learning through play – and who doesn’t like dragons? – then DIG is made for you! Dig for Hidden Treasures At DIG your children can: DIG is split into three zones: Learn, Uncover, and […]

A brand new way to explore York with the family has just launched, and it’s lovely! The York rivers trail follows the River Ouse, linking parks, green spaces and stories across the city. Even better, it’s completely free. Kids can talk to the river on your phone, spot the sculptural viewing frames at Leeman Park […]

York Minster is open throughout the school summer holidays, offering sightseeing, family activities, and adventures that are jam-packed full of fun! Discover everything the cathedral has in store for families to enjoy this summer. Don’t forget, every adult sightseeing ticket includes FREE entry for up to four children aged 17 and under! Plus, you can […]

Stockeld Park’s Summer of Fun is back, and you’re going to need to arrive early to fit it all in! It’s open every day from 18th July to 6th September 2026, with 40 acres of activities, adventure play and live entertainment to explore. Open from 9.30am until 6pm, there’s plenty to keep children of all […]

Visit Castle Howard this summer and save on family and child tickets. Families can enjoy a day out like no other and visit the House, Gardens, award-winning Skelf Island Adventure Playground, and get lost in nature at the Arboretum, home to its new resident red squirrel.  With plenty of shaded spots across the gardens and […]

The summer holidays in York run from Tuesday 27 July to Sunday 5 September 2027 for most York schools. Dates can vary between schools and academies, so always check directly with your child’s school. Summer in York is a magical time for families, with long days, sunny skies (we’re manifesting🤞), and a city packed with […]

York might be one of the UK’s best cities for families, but that doesn’t mean every family day out goes smoothly. Over the years, despite knowing York inside out, we’ve made plenty of mistakes ourselves, from battling the cobbles of the Shambles with a buggy to promising the kids a York Ghost Merchants ghost in […]

Summer Events, Activities & Adventures Great news – Kids Go Free on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway this summer, and the school holiday savings mean better value fares for the whole family. With events and activities stretching along the line from Pickering all the way through to Grosmont and travel through to the seaside town of Whitby, there’s never been a better time […]

Looking for a lovely day out in York this summer? Look no further than The National Railway Museum, where you can enjoy a summer holiday in a day, with a packed programme of free activities. From 20th July to 6th September 2026, families can travel to the countryside, seaside and destinations around the world, all […]

Whether you’re meeting Santa on the Santa’s Christmas Tour or creating delicious treats in the Christmas Family Masterclass, make this Christmas one to remember at York’s Chocolate Story! Santa’s Christmas Tour Santa has arrived in York to collect Christmas chocolate for all the girls and boys, because some of the world’s best chocolate originates right […]