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 31 October & 1 November 2026.
The best things to do in York this weekend
A giant spider is coming to York!
Here’s one spider you won’t be able to catch with a glass! York BID’s giant inflatable spider will be scuttling through Little Stonegate, Back Swinegate, Swinegate and Grape Lane this Saturday. Pop along for a close encounter and a photo, if you’re feeling brave. It’s completely free.
📅 Saturday 31 October, performances at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm
🎟️ Free
Gruffalo Granny storytime at Dalby Forest
Head to the deep dark wood for a new Gruffalo adventure this Saturday! Enjoy storytelling sessions featuring Gruffalo Granny, the new story from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, and meet the Gruffalo himself (first come, first served). Free, just pay to park.
📅 Saturday 31 October
🎟️ Free, just pay to park
A chocolate-filled Halloween adventure
Treat yourselves to a sweet escape at York’s Chocolate Story this weekend. Discover York’s chocolate-making history on a guided tour with tastings, then get hands-on decorating a chocolate lolly and rolling Halloween truffles to take home. For families who prefer their Halloween treats to the tricks, this could be just the thing.
📅 Tour and Halloween truffle rolling: until Sunday 1 November
🎟️ Booking required
ℹ️ Find out more
Spooky stories at York Castle Museum
Step onto the cobbles of Kirkgate for Victorian Halloween storytelling on Friday and Saturday, then explore the prison cells and uncover tales of real escapes. There are soul cake baking demonstrations on Saturday too. All half-term activities are included with admission, and general admission tickets last a year. A good excuse to return!
📅 Half-term programme until Sunday 1 November; Victorian storytelling until Saturday 31 October
🎟️ Activities included with admission
ℹ️ Find out more
Last chance for Ghosts in the Gardens
Still got some ghosts to find? This is the final weekend of York BID’s free Ghosts in the Gardens trail. Pick up a map from the Visitor Information Centre on Back Swinegate and explore York’s gardens, ruins and spooky snickelways together.
📅 Until Sunday 1 November
🎟️ Free trail
ℹ️ Find out more
Haunted Hall at Barley Hall
Calling brave young ghost hunters! Spirits from more than 2,000 years of York’s history are hiding in Barley Hall’s medieval rooms, and the paranormal investigators need your help. Join a 45-minute family adventure to track down the troublesome ghosts.
📍 Barley Hall, 2 Coffee Yard, York
📅 24 to 31 October 2026
🎟️ £15 per child, £5.50 per accompanying adult
👧 Ages 6+, booking required
🔗 Find out more
Pesky pumpkins at Castle Howard
There’s pumpkin mischief afoot at Castle Howard! Explore the grand rooms of the House and see how many pesky pumpkins you can spot hiding along the way. Wander through the woods and run off some energy at Skelf Island, one of the best adventure playgrounds in the area.
📅 Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October
🎟️ Trail included with House & Garden tickets
ℹ️ Find out more
Meet medieval pilgrims at York Minster
Travel back to medieval York and meet pilgrims who’ve journeyed to the Minster! Hear about their travels, discover why they came to visit the shrine of St William and have a go at making your own wax offering. Leave time to borrow a Little Explorer Backpack and enjoy the stained glass craft activities too.
📅 Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October, 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm
🎟️ Drop-in sessions included with a sightseeing ticket; no separate booking needed
ℹ️ Find out more
Plan ahead: Book now
Aesthetica Film Festival
Got a budding filmmaker, animator or games designer at home? Aesthetica Film Festival returns to York next week, with family film screenings, games and hands-on workshops. Children aged 7 to 14 can try filmmaking, acting, game coding or stop-motion animation over the weekend.
📅 Festival: 4 to 8 November; children’s workshops: 7 and 8 November
🎟️ Workshops £20; York residents save 25% on day passes
Explore the programme and book
More weekend inspiration
💰 Free and cheap things to do in York
☔ Things to do in York when it rains
🎟 Little Vikings Family Card offers
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.
