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
York Georgian Festival
Discover18th-century York as the York Georgian Festival returns with dancing, military displays, cooking demonstrations, tours and workshops across the city. There are plenty of free activities for families too, including live displays in St Helen’s Square.
📍 Various venues across York city centre
🗓 6th to 10th August 2026
ℹ️ Find the full programme at mansionhouseyork.com
💰 Free fun
Make the most of York without spending a penny! Discover the best free things to do in York with kids.
RSPCA Summer Fair at Homestead Park
Explore the stalls and enjoy the annual dog show this Saturday at one of York’s prettiest parks, all in a very good cause. The dog show starts at 1pm 🐕
📍 Homestead Park, York
🗓 8th August 2026, 10am – 3pm
ℹ️ Find out more
☔️ 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.
Take on nine enchanted holes at The Hole in Wand, York’s magical wizard-themed mini golf experience. Hunt for a missing gargoyle, tackle spellbinding challenges and enjoy a magical potion at the end. It’s brilliant indoor fun for young witches, wizards and grown-ups too.
📍 The Hole in Wand, 14-16 Coppergate Walk, York YO1 9NT
🗓 Open daily, advance booking recommended
ℹ️ Book via theholeinwand.com/york
🌳 Day Trip of the Week
Fancy a little adventure beyond the city? Here’s a lovely family day out from York.
Summer at Eden Camp
Step back in time at Eden Camp, where families can discover what life was like during the Second World War through immersive displays and hands-on activities. Follow the fun Poo Clues Trail and save 15% on family tickets this summer.
📍 Eden Camp Modern History Museum, Malton YO17 6RT
🗓 Open daily throughout the summer holidays
ℹ️ Book via edencamp.co.uk
🍰 Eat of the Week
There are loads of family-friendly places to eat in York, and here’s our recommendation of the week.
A family swim at Pool Bridge just got tastier with the addition of Millers fish and chips on selected summer evenings. Delicious.
📍 Pool Bridge Farm, Wheldrake Lane, York YO19 4SQ
😊 Plan Ahead
Immerse yourselves in the magical world of the Giant’s garden with Riding Lights Theatre Company’s enchanting production of The Selfish Giant. With storytelling, interactive games, live music and puppetry, it’s a heartwarming family show about love and generosity, perfect for children aged 3+.
📍 Friargate Theatre, Lower Friargate, York YO1 9SL
🗓 1st to 5th September 2026
ℹ️ Book via ridinglights.org
✨ Little Vikings Family Card offer
Save 15% on admission to Stockeld Park
Stockeld Park is an excellent summer day out from York, and you can save 15% with our special Little Vikings discount code. Find the details here.
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.
