Looking for what’s on this weekend in York? You’ve come to the right place. If you’re visiting York or lucky enough to call it home, this is your weekly guide to the best things to do in York with kids this weekend. We update it every week with handpicked family events, free fun, rainy-day ideas and lovely days out.
This guide is put together by the Little Vikings team, who spend their weekends doing exactly what you’re probably planning: finding great things to do with kids, making the most of the city or heading out on a day trip. We know that your time is precious – not to mention your money! – so we’ll only share recommendations that we think you’ll love.
⭐ Our Top Pick
Bishy Road Street Party – The much-loved Bishy Road Street Party returns with a brilliant day of family fun, celebrating one of York’s favourite independent shopping streets. Expect live music and DJs, delicious street food, face painting, crafts, balloons, hair braiding and a packed children’s area. There’s a full programme of family entertainment too, including Evergreen Explorers, Professor Dan, Baby Band, Elevate Dance and Josh Benson, making it a fantastic free day out for all ages.
📍 Bishopthorpe Road, York YO23 1NA
🗓 Sunday 21 June, 11am – 4pm
ℹ️ Free entry
💰 Free fun
Make the most of York without spending a penny! Discover the best free things to do in York with kids.
Make Space for Girls – Homestead Park
This brilliant free festival gives older girls the chance to try something new. This weekend it’s Homestead Park’s turn, with lots of activities to enjoy. Advance booking advised.
📍 Homestead Park
🗓 20 – 21 June
ℹ️ letsmakespace.org/festival
☔️ Indoor fun
Perfect for when the weather’s not on your side. Here are lots of ideas for things to do on a rainy day in York, and this is our recommendation for this week.
Free entry for dads at The Web Adventure Park – Happy kids, happy dad, right? So why not take advantage of free entry for dads at The Web this weekend, where there’s loads of indoor and outdoor fun to be had.
📍 The Web Adventure Park, Clifton Gate Business Park, Wigginton Road, York, YO32 2RH
🌳 Day Trip of the Week
Fancy a little adventure beyond the city? Here’s a lovely family day out from York
Raby Castle
Celebrate Father’s Day with a family day out at Raby Castle, where one dad or father figure gets free entry with every Park & Gardens or Plotters’ Forest ticket. Explore the beautiful grounds, let the kids loose in Plotters’ Forest, enjoy complimentary guided tours and refuel with stone-baked pizzas, Sunday lunch or afternoon tea at The Vinery. It’s a brilliant excuse for a day of adventure together.
📍 Raby Castle, Park & Gardens, Staindrop, County Durham DL2 3AH
🗓 Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June, 11am – 4pm
🍰 Eat of the Week
There are loads of family-friendly places to eat in York, and here’s our recommendation of the week.
Ambiente Tapas
Ambiente’s tempting 6 for £30 deal is back just in time for Father’s Day. It’s really family-friendly, and totally delicious.
📍 Ambiente Tapas, 31 Fossgate, York YO1 9TA
ℹ️ https://www.ambiente-tapas.co.uk/fossgate
😊 Plan Ahead
Book Aardman in Concert at York Barbican – Celebrate 50 years of Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Friends at this cinematic and musical celebration of clay, comedy, and creativity. Find out more.
✨ Little Vikings Family Card offer
Fancy a spin around a Viking city this weekend? Use our special discount for 20% off admission to the wonderful JORVIK Viking Centre.
Pick up your Little Vikings Family Card from the Visit York Information Centre for exclusive family discounts and offers across York.
For more inspiration for family days out, trails, events and places to eat, visit little-vikings.co.uk or follow us on Instagram @littlevikingsyork.
This guide was written by the Little Vikings editorial team. Little Vikings is an award-winning, independent guide to the best family-friendly activities in and around York, run by a local family with an in-depth knowledge of brilliant things to do and places to go.
About Little Vikings – York for Kids
Little Vikings is York’s award-winning family guide, run by a local family who know the city inside-out. We explore, review and recommend the best things to do, see, eat and experience with kids in York and beyond.
