Castle Howard’s award-winning Christmas experience is back, and this year’s theme is Alice’s Christmas Wonderland! Alice is planning a huge Christmas party, and you’re invited. In fact, you can enter our competition and might just win a family ticket! Read on for details. We went along to the preview of this year’s Christmas at Castle […]

The hugely popular Sewerby Winter Woodland is back again this year, running from Friday 6th to Sunday 22nd December 2024! An all-new spectacular display of lights, sounds and special effects will bring the grounds to life for a great evening out this festive season. This year’s Sewerby Winter Woodland will include new light installations including […]

Breakfast is a parent’s dream, isn’t it? It’s the one mealtime that’s usually stress-free, especially when you’re out and about. After all, who can be grumpy when there are pancakes on the menu? Start your day in York right by heading to one of these fantastic breakfast and brunch spots. York’s food scene is booming, […]

Experience the magic of Christmas with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s Santa Special, running on selected dates from 30th November to 24th December 2024. Start your festive adventure at Pickering Station, beautifully adorned with twinkling lights, real Christmas trees, and the sounds of Christmas music. Capture the moment with a Christmas selfie, enjoy a treat […]

Get ready to step into a world where reality twists and turns! Launching in January 2025, York’s newest attraction, The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring, will open its doors to families, school groups, and curious explorers of all ages. Right in the heart of York city centre (Merchantgate), this immersive experience promises a journey through […]

Excellent festive news for those of you who love a spin around the rink at Christmas: Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland is back at York Designer Outlet for 2024 with 975 sq m of real ice to glide, slide and wobble around.  Presented by HARIBO, Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, with its glistening outdoor ice rink, thrilling funfair, magical […]

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 […]

It’s that time of year again when many schools open their doors to welcome prospective parents to have a look around. Details of all the open events for state schools in York can be found here (primary schools) and here (secondary schools) – there are too many for us to list! As for the independent […]

Piglets’ Adventure Farm’s Magical Sleigh Ride Experience is one of the best Santa experiences in York, and we’re giving away a ticket on one of the most sought-after dates to one lucky family! We went along last year and absolutely loved it – take a look at our review to find out what to expect. […]

This brand new event is part of Ghosts in the Gardens, one of York’s best-loved events. Explore York Museum Gardens after dark and discover 45 ghostly sculptures inspired by York’s past, illuminated with dramatic lighting, smoke, and sound. Uncover the history behind the ghosts at six storytelling areas, featuring York’s top storytellers sharing both classic […]

Nurturing and supporting new talent is at the heart of York’s Aesthetica 2024. The dynamic film festival spotlights rising stars in the New Wave initiative and has a vibrant family friendly programme. We believe in the power of film to inspire the next generation by encouraging creativity. It is an important mechanism to develop media […]

Whether it’s York’s ancient history or its recent connections with the world of Harry Potter, the city has become a popular destination for families in search of magic. The most magical spot in our already enchanting city is the Shambles, a quirky, cobbled medieval street that feels like stepping into a fairytale. Now there’s even […]

Share how you travel around York, and you could win a £50 York Gift Card. Simply fill out the quick 2-minute travel survey to be entered into the prize draw. You could be the lucky winner and enjoy spending your £50 on whatever you like in York. Don’t forget to check the terms and conditions here. While we’re […]

It’s time for a spooktacular Halloween at Mother Shipton’s – and one lucky family can win tickets to experience the magic for FREE! From October 26th to November 3rd 2024, Mother Shipton’s will be transformed into a Hocus Pocus-inspired wonderland, filled with witches, bubbling cauldrons, and magical spells. Explore enchanting displays, interact with spell-casting actors […]

October half term in York is glorious, with so many things to do with kids. There’s a wide variety of activities going on, from pumpkin festivals to pumpkin picking and even the odd event NOT involving large root veg! Seek out spooky events, head out on a ghost hunt and huddle around the bonfire (not […]

Half term Spooky Pass! Calling all little monsters, witches, and ghouls!  Oxygen’s Spooky Pass brings you chills, thrills, and some eerily irresistible BIG-TIME FUN this October half-term! Grab your Spooky Pass and get ready to BOO-unce with the hero crew all week long. For just £30, you’ll enjoy an hour of jumping every day from Monday […]

We thought there was no magical spell strong enough to turn rainy Sunday frowns into happy faces, but here it is: afternoon tea at Dreamery Gardens (formerly Northwood Trail). Located outside Stamford Bridge, just a short drive from York, Dreamery Gardens is more than just a walk in the woods — it’s a chance to […]

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 […]

The North York Moors, with its misty landscapes and ancient woodland, are a haunting backdrop for atmospheric autumn adventures, but where should budding ghost-hunters start? Overshadowed by the imposing ruins of the abbey, Whitby is one of our favourite places to spend time at Halloween. Its winding cobbled streets and eerie cliff-side paths are seriously […]

Autumn’s here and there’s something spooktacular going on in York: the return of Ghosts in the Gardens! The York BID is once again bringing some horribly good wire mesh sculptures to some of York’s most stunning green spaces and this year it’s bigger than ever. Eagle eyed viewers will spot six new ghosts including a […]