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 […]

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 […]

After the expense of the summer holidays, Heritage Open Days 2026 couldn’t come at a better time. The event takes place from 11 to 20 September, but dates for free entry vary and some require pre-booking, so do check online before you travel. As always, there are lots of lovely places to explore around York […]

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 […]

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 […]

Something spooky is coming to the National Railway Museum this half term… discover The Ghosts of Station Hall, and the ghostly stories of the railways! In collaboration with master purveyors of ghouls, York Ghosts Merchants, scores of the iconic ceramic ghosts will be hidden high and low amidst the carriages and trains of Station Hall. […]

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 […]

Calling all witches, wizards and magical creatures! One of York’s most enchanting family experiences has returned, and this year there’s even more reason to visit. The Grand, York has relaunched its much-loved Wizarding Afternoon Tea, inviting families to step into a world of spells, potions and magical surprises in one of the city’s most beautiful […]

Step into history this summer at Eden Camp Modern History Museum with a programme of interactive family activities celebrating the extraordinary women who helped Britain during the Second World War. Children and adults alike can discover the stories of the Women’s Land Army, nurses, factory workers and other wartime heroes through hands-on experiences across the […]

Looking for summer holiday clubs in York? From sports and drama to art and forest school, there’s plenty to keep children busy, happy and genuinely excited through the long summer break. Whether you need reliable childcare cover or just want your kids doing something fun while you get things done, we’ve got you covered. Let’s […]

Follow the Yellow Brick Road at Mother Shipton’s this Summer There’s a touch of magic in the woodland at Mother Shipton’s this summer, as the Little Vikings Award-winning attraction takes inspiration from the wonderful world of Oz. Wander through the enchanted forest and meet the radiant Good Witch of the Glade and the ever-cheerful Scarecrow, […]

As lovely as the summer holidays are, they are expensive, so we’re really pleased to say that there’s a way to save money on days out in the weeks ahead. Thanks to the government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, some attractions are enjoying a VAT cut that they’re passing onto visitors. Some of our favourite […]

Could you survive a Viking sea voyage? Come and find out! From 10th July 2026, embark on a summer expedition over the high seas to find out how Vikings survived long journeys, what they ate, whether they got bored, and what they did when they got to York. When you arrive at JORVIK Viking Centre, […]