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 28th to 30th August 2026.
The best things to do in York this Weekend
Living History Weekend at Eden Camp
Eden Camp’s Living History Weekend brings the 1940s to life, with re-enactors, live period music and classic military vehicles. Explore interactive Home Front displays, learn about wartime rationing and try on vintage clothing.
📍 Eden Camp, Malton
🗓 29 & 30 August 2026
ℹ️ Find out more
Summer celebrations with York Museums Trust
Round off the summer with a weekend of special events from York Museums Trust. Enjoy live music, street food and drinks at Evening in the Gardens on Friday, followed by a colourful celebration of Japanese culture on Saturday and Sunday, with printmaking, tea tasting, face painting, martial arts demonstrations and live music.
📍 York Museum Gardens and York Art Gallery
📅 28th to 30th August 2026
🎟️ Free and ticketed activities
👉 Booking recommended
Adventures in Hundred Acre Wood at Ampleforth Abbey
Enjoy an interactive performance at Ampleforth Abbey, inspired by the much-loved characters from Winnie the Pooh.
📍 Ampleforth Abbey
🗓 Sunday 30th August 2026
🎟️ Pre-booking required
ℹ️ Find out more
Aardman in Concert at York Barbican
Celebrate 50 years of Aardman with Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Morph and friends on the big screen, accompanied by a live orchestra. The show includes a full performance of The Wrong Trousers, with optional model-making workshops available too.
📍 York Barbican
🗓 Saturday 29th August 2026, 1pm and 3.30pm
🎟️ Suitable for ages 3+; pre-booking required
ℹ️ Find out more and book
Pick Your Own Apples at Ampleforth Abbey
Pick your own apples from Ampleforth Abbey’s beautiful heritage orchard and discover how its famous apple juice and cider are pressed in the Abbey’s own Cider Mill. Entry is free, so you’ll only pay for the apples you pick.
📍 Ampleforth Abbey
🗓 Saturday 29th August 2026, 11am to 3pm
🎟️ Free entry, pay for the apples you pick
ℹ️ Find out more
Plan ahead: Book now
Stockeld Park’s Winter Illuminations
Stockeld Park’s spectacular Christmas light trail returns this winter. See the Enchanted Forest come to life with illuminated installations, projections, sculptures, animations and soundscapes.
📍 Stockeld Park, Wetherby
🗓 21st November 2026 to 3rd January 2027
ℹ️ Find out more
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.
