York Residents Festival is the annual opportunity for York residents to explore their city for free (or a lot less) and it’s back for 2026! Taking place on Saturday 31st January and 1st February 2026, it’s just what we need to look forward to at the end of the bleakest time of the year. As usual, there’s plenty for families to enjoy, with free entry to lots of attractions and special events and offers, from free river admission to Clifford’s Tower to free wizard golf at The Hole in Wand.
Beyond the walls, there’s free admission to Yorkshire Air Museum and Castle Howard, both of which get the Little Vikings seal of approval. BUT you need to be organised as lots of things do need pre-booking.
There are also many offers on eating and drinking at lovely places like Social 8, The Whippet Inn, York Gin. Visit the Visit York website for the latest offers.
How York Residents Festival works
– York Residents’ Festival is open to all York Residents who have a valid YorkCard – you’ll need one card per person to gain free admission to attractions and benefit from the special offers but please check entry requirements for each attraction.
– Pre-booking is required for some attractions, tours and events
– Some venues have limited free tickets and operate on a first-come, first-served basis
– Students studying in the city can also take part with a valid York student ID card.
How to get a York Card
As a York Card holder, you can access some great discounts across the city as well as showing your proof of residence at York Residents Festival. Pay for your discounted entry tickets using your online account or show your digital or physical pass when you arrive at an attraction to get your discount.
The York Card is available to anyone living or working in the York area. It costs £6 for adult residents and £10 for non-residents who work in the city. Children and young people up to the age of 18 can get the card for free. Valid for 12 months, the York Card can save you over £50 a year, just by visiting each attraction once! Now offered as a digital card, it includes access to an online account, making it easy to renew with just a click.
Pre-booking required
Pre-booking for free tickets is required for certain attractions. Here are our top attractions that need pre-booking:
– The Hole in Wand
– Castle Howard
– Wonderlab upgrade at the National Railway Museum
– York Castle Museum
– The Yorkshire Museum
York Residents’ Festival – Our highlights
– Avorium, Colliergate, York – Free pen pot with every purchase
– Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens – Saturday and Sunday. Pre-booking not required but you need to show proof of address.
– Castle Howard – Saturday and Sunday – Pre-booking required
– Clifford’s Tower – Saturday and Sunday – The site will be free as part of York Residents’ Festival, but there is a limit on capacity inside the castle so queues are expected. Last entry is at 3.30pm however, the queue may be closed off before our advertised closing time. Early arrival is advised. Walk up only, no pre-booking.
– The Hole in Wand – Sunday ONLY – Free wizard-themed golf. They will open their doors for those with a YO postcode for free entry from 4pm to 7pm! To book, email york@theholeinwand.com with your preferred time and number of tickets. This will be first come first served so be quick!
– Lost Earth Adventures, Brimham Rocks – Saturday and Sunday. 3-hour climbing & abseiling session. Maximum 2 people per booking. Pre-booking required by email or telephone.
– National Centre for Early Music – 25% Off Tickets for the Ruby’s Worry Family Concert. Pre-booking required.
– The National Railway Museum – Free Annual Pass Upgrade to Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery – Book your ticket to Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery between Monday 26 January and Sunday 1 February and receive a free upgrade to an annual pass! To find out more and make your booking please click here. This link will allow you to purchase an annual pass for the price of a day ticket, saving over £14 per person.
– The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring – Free entry for the first 50 residents; 20% off thereafter. Walk-ins only.
– Rainbows Ceramics – Saturday and Sunday – Enjoy 20% off pottery painting in this city centre ceramics studio. Valid with a York card or proof of residency for each painter. Offer is for pottery/bisque only and excludes food & drink plus pre booked discounted groups.
– The Potions Academy – Learn more with The Potions Class, a magical family experience led by the potion master with every graduating wizard and witch receiving their very own magical potion.
– York Art Gallery – Saturday and Sunday – Pre-booking required
– York Castle Museum – Saturday and Sunday – Pre-booking required
– York Theatre Royal – Saturday tours of the building. Pre-booking is required.
– York’s Chocolate Story – Saturday and Sunday – First 100 visitors go free. Also 25% off additional admissions throughout the whole weekend. It’s first-come, first-served, so be there early to ensure you don’t miss out on this scrumptious opportunity.
– York Gin – 20% off in-store gin, and 10% off refills
– York Mansion House – Saturday and Sunday – Free entry, no booking required
– Yorkshire Museum – Saturday and Sunday – No pre-booking required
– Yorkshire Air Museum – Saturday and Sunday – No pre-booking required
– The York Dungeon – Limited free tickets, then 50% off remaining pre-booked tickets
