Looking for something fun to do with the family in the city this October Half-Term? York Castle Museum is bringing Yorkshire’s fascinating past to life with a week of storytelling, historic traditions, seasonal activities and immersive family experiences.
Special seasonal activities
Join HistoryRiot on Kirkgate, Britain’s oldest recreated street, for Tales of Nut-Crack Night. Performances will run throughout the day, every day, from Saturday 24 – Saturday 31 October, sharing fascinating stories about how people in Yorkshire celebrated All Hallow’s Eve – or Nut-Crack Night, as it was known during the Victorian era.
Budding bakers can head to the Castle Kitchen during their visit, located off the Secrets of Dress gallery, to watch traditional Soul Cake baking demonstrations on Saturday 24, Monday 26, Wednesday 28 and Saturday 31 October between 10.30am – 4pm. These sweet, spiced cakes were traditionally made around Halloween, offering families a delicious glimpse into Yorkshire’s culinary history. There’ll be samples on offer, and you can pick up a recipe to try making them yourself at home during the Half-Term!
Explore York Castle Prison cells with two new experiences!
The museum’s authentic York Castle Prison cells are the setting for two new immersive Prison Escape Stories experiences. The main trail is recommended for adults and older children and there’s another experience that’s been specially designed for younger children focused on spotting the historic graffiti. Families can collect a gaoler’s (jailor’s) key, complete fun challenges and uncover the true stories behind historic prison escapes, The Matron’s Trap, The Escape of 1839 and The Escape That Never Was.
Daily activities for all ages
With a variety of creative activities, talks and trails available every day, alongside amazing exhibitions and displays covering 400 years of York’s past, there’s something to entertain the whole family during your visit.
The community exhibition, Sugar, Skill and Shiftwork: York’s Confectionery Workers has been extended to March 2027 due to its popularity. Experience a range of sensory stations throughout, giving you an insight into the sights, smells and sounds of York’s chocolate factories.
Self-led activities include the Little Spotters activity sheet, available in the Secrets of Dress exhibition, the Creative Studio drawing activities, dressing up in Secrets of Dress, on Kirkgate and the Sixties Street, the Play Kitchen and Time Traveller’s Activity Trail booklet.
Don’t miss the daily Kirkgate Talks at 11.30am and 2pm which tell the story behind the creation of the famous Victorian street, and the insightful Cells Talks at 11.30am and 2.30pm that reveal the secrets of York Castle Prison and its notorious inmates.
Plan your visit
All activities, experiences and exhibitions at York Castle Museum are included in general admission, including the Period Rooms, World War One gallery and York Castle Prison cells, where famous highwayman Dick Turpin was once held.
If you don’t have time to cover it all, you can use your tickets to visit again for free as many times as you like for 12 months. Family saver tickets are available and York resident children under 16 go free.
York Castle Museum is open daily, and tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the admissions desk on the day.
Make this October half term one to remember with a fun-filled family day discovering the stories, traditions and characters behind Yorkshire’s past.
📍 York Castle Museum, Tower Street, York YO1 9RY
🗓 Saturday 24 October – Sunday 1 November 2026
🎟 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
