This Easter in York, get involved in family-friendly activities at York Castle Museum inspired by York’s Chocolate Festival, celebrating the city’s chocolate heritage, past and present. Whether you’re travelling to York for a day out during the school holidays, or want to take a break from everyday life, York Castle Museum promises a fun and educational day out for all ages.

What’s on at York Castle Museum for kids

The ever-popular Creative Families workshops return this Easter on Friday 3 and Friday 10 April 2026. Families can get hands-on in this creative session, guided by artist Lendita, and make something wonderful inspired by York’s confectioners. Drop in anytime between 10.30am – 3.30pm.

Call into the Castle Kitchen between 10.30am – 4pm to see live Hot Cross Bun baking demonstrations throughout the day on Saturday 28 March, Thursday 2 April, Saturday 4 April, Monday 6 April, Thursday 9 April and Saturday 11 April 2026. There’ll be samples of both modern and Victorian recipes and don’t forget to pick up a recipe card or scan the QR code available so you can try making them yourself at home!

The Last Stop Before Kirkgate – extended due to popular demand!

Due to popular demand, our new immersive installation The Last Stop Before Kirkgate, has been extended, offering visitors an introduction to characters and businesses from 1870s York in a recreated Victorian coaching inn. 

As you make your way to Kirkgate, our famous street, linger and listen to an emotive soundscape that tells the real stories behind historical items from the collection. You’ll hear the voices of five Yorkshire folk all travelling to the street for different reasons.

The installation and soundscape have been created in collaboration with NOVO Theatre, a theatre company based in North-East England that specialise in storytelling, offering a new interpretation of one of York Castle Museum’s most popular attractions.The immersive installation, The Last Stop Before Kirkgate will remain at York Castle Museum until 2027. Don’t miss it, it’s sure to capture your imagination and transport you to 19th century York!

Daily activities for all ages

There’s a variety of creative activities, talks and trails available everyday throughout the Easter holiday, alongside the exhibitions and permanent galleries, to keep the whole family entertained.

Visit our community exhibition, Sugar, Skill and Shiftwork: York’s Confectionery Workers, that celebrates the history of confectionery in York, the ‘home of chocolate’, and the people that contributed towards the industries’ world-famous success. You can experience the display in a whole new way with our sensory stations throughout, giving you an insight into the sights, smells, noises and flavours of York’s chocolate factories, Rowntree’s and Terry’s.

The Creative Studio, located just off the Secrets of Dress exhibition, is open every day offering a self-led drawing activity where you can design your dream Victorian outfit using the fabrics, hats, shoes and dresses on display for inspiration.

Our popular Kirkgate Talks at 11.30am and 2pm tell the story behind the creation of the Victorian street, one of the oldest recreated indoor streets in the world, and the insightful Cells Talks, every day at 11.30am and 2.30pm tell the secrets of York Castle Prison and its notorious inmates. 

The Time Traveller’s Activity Trail booklet is free to collect every day from the admissions desk, which explores some of the objects you might see on your visit and the wonderous history waiting to be discovered inside York Castle Museum.  

All activities, experiences and exhibitions at York Castle Museum are included in your general admission ticket, as well as giving access to the incredible Period Rooms, World War One gallery, Sixties Street and York Castle Prison cells, where famous highwayman Dick Turpin was once held. 

General admission tickets last 12 months and allow unlimited free entry to York Castle Museum throughout the year, meaning you can return for summer and even Christmas 2026, offering great value days out for the family all year!

Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the admissions desk on the day.

Plan your visit

🗓 Open daily
📍 York Castle Museum, Tower Street, York YO1 9RY
🎟 All activities are included in your 12-month general admission ticket. York resident kids and all under 5s go free.
👉 Visit yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk for full details and timings

This is a promotional feature in partnership with our friends at York Museums Trust