Plans are well underway for WizardFest, York’s first festival of wizardry coming to the city during May half term (May 24th to 26th 2025).
Conjured up by The Wizard Walk of York, this enchanting event is co-hosted with Little Vikings, for the most magical match! As a fun, family-friendly event that champions York’s magical side and independent businesses, it’s right up our (cobbled) street, so we’re delighted to be part of it. The festival is also sponsored by Loopy Scoops Ice-Cream Parlour, The Cat Gallery, Totally Awesome Toys & Games and The Society of Alchemists.
Stay up-to-date with WizardFest
You’ll find the most up-to-date information on the WizardFest activities here. Why not also follow The Wizard Walk and Little Vikings, and join the event online so you don’t miss out? Many of the events are now open for booking, and early booking is recommended before all the places…vanish!
This is just a sneak peek of the wonderful, whimisical activities on offer. There’s also the chance to meet birds of prey and dragons, try themed specials on menus and even join a fancy dress parade and Best Dressed Witch or Wizard competition at 3pm on the Monday. More will appear – as if by magic – so be sure to follow the pages for details!
WizardFest events
The Wizard Walk of York (Book in advance)
York’s most magical family experience, and WINNER of our Best Tour award three times! Spellbinding magic, comedy and five-star family fun. Add Wizard Wand Kits to learn your own tricks.
– Saturday – 11am, 1.30 and 4pm
– Sunday – 11am, 1.30, 4 and 6pm
– Monday – 11am, 1.30 and 4pm
Tours leave from St. Crux Church at the bottom of York’s iconic Shambles
Brick Magic by The Brick Box (Book in advance)
A must for LEGO fans! Journey into imagination and creativity. With tens of thousands of LEGO pieces, bring your cloaks as you enrol in our magical workshops. Wand making, marble mazes and lots of treats to take home!
– Saturday – 10-12 and 1-3pm
– Sunday – 10-12 and 1-3pm
– Monday – 10-12 and 1-3pm
York Medical Society, Stonegate, YO1 8AW
Harry Potter Films at City Screen Picturehouse (Book in advance)
Join Harry, Ron and Hermione and enjoy the first three films in the franchise. Journey to Hogwarts and experience the magic for yourself.
– BOOK The Philosopher’s Stone
– BOOK The Prisoner of Azkaban
City Screen Picturehouse, 13-17 Coney Street, York, YO1 9QL
‘A Kind of Magic’ Workshops with Story Craft Theatre (Book in advance)
Join Cassie and Janet for colouring in, crafting, scavenger hunts, games, music and an interactive story full of the usual fun and energy, with a magical twist! A wondrously wizardy workshop for 2-8 year olds
– Saturday – 10.15 to 11.30am
– Saturday – 12 to 1.15pm
Upper Foyer Bar, York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, YO1 7HD
Totally Wicked Craft Workshops with Avocado Events (Book in advance)
Get all crafty with Avocado Events in this wickedly fun workshop for WizardFest on Monday 26th May (1pm).
– Make your own wand and decorate an owl
– Pink & Green witch crafting tables
– Colouring and sticker tables
– Decorate a biscuit
– Fancy dress competition
St. Olaves Church Hall, 12 Marygate Ln, York YO30 7BJ
The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring (Book in advance)
The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring has been cursed by his archnemesis Professor Mortius Darktrix. We need your help to break the curse and save Professor Kettlestring before he is lost falling through dimensions forever…
Seek out the magical familiar faces to break the evil wizard’s curse. Once you have completed your quest, and enjoyed all the mind-boggling illusions, make your way to the gift shop to find out if you were successful and collect your sweet reward.
The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring, Merchantgate, York YO1 9TU
The Black Cat Quest (Free!)
Collect a FREE map, find the black cats in shop windows and spell a magic word. Then head back to The Cat Gallery to claim a super-mini magic cat of your own. Guess the purr-fect name for the NEW exclusive Wizard Walk cat too. One winner will WIN a Wizard Walk family ticket and an 8cm Wizard Cat worth £24!
York Cat Gallery, 45 Low Petergate, YO7 7HT
The Owl Trail (Free!)
A Make it York event. Collect a FREE map from the Visit York Information Centre on Parliament Street, then find the owls hidden around Shambles Market. It’s a HOOT! Prizes include a Wizard Walk family ticket and goody bags from The Shop That Must Not Be Named. You can also pose with magical props around the Market, and even have your face painted 10-3pm (a paid activity)
Shambles Market, YO1 7LX
Magic of Lush Bath Bomb Workshops (Booking required)
Make a big splash creating bathtime MAGIC in this 45 min workshop with LUSH and Avocado Events! Make your own Shoot for the Stars Bath Bomb, get hands-on with LUSH products and take home your own Magic Wand Reusable Bubble Bar and samples!
- Saturday – 10.30 and 12
- Sunday – 10.30, 12 and 2pm
- Monday – 10.30, 12 and 2pm
Lush, 52 Coney Street, YO1 9ND. Pre-booking essential
Fancy Dress Parade and Best Dressed Competition (Free!)
Monday only. Don your best costumes to celebrate WizardFest in style! FREE to participate. Meet at St. Helen’s Square at 3pm for a 3.15pm start. There’s a chance to WIN amazing prizes including…
- Fawkes the Phoenix LEGO set and Wizard Walk family ticket
- Dragon hatchlings from The Society of Alchemists
- Goody bags from The Shop That Must Not Be Named
St. Helen’s Square, YO1 8QN on Monday 26th May at 3pm. The parade will walk up Stonegate and end at York Minster.
Meet a dragon! (Free!)
Meet The Wizard of York’s ROAR-some new pet. Get a photo with this truly Fantastic Beast…don’t worry, he doesn’t bite! Donations are welcome towards dragon food. Why not visit Loopy Scoops opposite to try the NEW Dragon Sundae? The first 20 children each day will receive a FREE bar of The Wizard’s Magic chocolate…dragon fruit flavour, of course!
Outside St. Sampson’s Church, Church Street, YO1 8BG – Daily at 10.45 – 11.30am, 12.30 – 1.15pm and 2 – 2.45pm. Please note that this activity may be cancelled in the event of bad weather.
Make a magical familiar at Barley Hall
Inspired by historical tales and folklore, this drop-in craft allows you to make your own Familiar – a magical animal companion for a magician, witch or wizard. In the past, mystical animals were believed to assist people in practising their spells and sorcery, and these animals came in all shapes and sizes and had weird and wonderful names. Come along to learn about historical beliefs about Familiars and let your imagination take over whilst creating your own Familiar out of clay. £3.00 per person, pay on arrival.
24th to 26th May 2025 – 11am to 3pm – Barley Hall – Visit the Barley Hall website
