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 2025! Taking place on 25th and 26th January 2025, 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 over 100 attractions, events and offers, from free river cruises with City Cruises York to free open top bus tours with Golden Tours York! Beyond the walls, there’s free admission to Yorkshire Air Museum and Beningbrough Hall, both of which get the Little Vikings seal of approval. For families, there’s plenty to enjoy. Let the kids burn off some energy at Oxygen Activeplay York, with 15% off climbing, jumping, and exploring. BUT you need to be organised as lots of things do need pre-booking.
There are also many offers on eating out at lovely places like Pho, Social 8, The Whippet Inn, York Gin, Mr Chippy and Loopy Scoops. 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 serve 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 to these attractions:
- – York Theatre Royal is offering free behind-the-scenes tours to find out more about the fascinating history of theatre in York, discover the secrets of the backstage world and learn more about this unique building.
- – For thrill-seekers, the York Dungeon is offering a limited number of free tickets across the weekend at selected times, giving residents the chance to experience its exciting and spine-chilling tour. SOLD OUT
- – Join the chocolate bar-making workshop at York Cocoa Works to create your very own 30g Chocolate Bar!
- – Take a tour with the Wizard Walk of York for a spellbinding magical family tour with magic and comedy. SOLD OUT
- – Avoid disappointment and make sure to book in advance for York Castle Museum, Yorkshire Museum and York Art Gallery including special exhibitions.
- – Castle Howard, one of Britain’s finest stately homes, is offering complimentary Gardens and Adventure Playground Admission. SOLD OUT
- – Try rock climbing and abseiling with Lost Earth Adventures at Brimham Rocks.
Attractions taking part in this year’s York Residents Festival – Our highlights
– Barley Hall – Saturday and Sunday. No need to book.
– Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens – Saturday and Sunday. Pre-booking not required but you need to show proof of address.
– City Sightseeing bus tour – 100 free hop-on, hop-off tickets when you join at Exhibition Square. First-come-first-served; no booking.
– City Cruises – Saturday and Sunday; 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Free cruise. Pre-booking not required (first-come, first-served basis). Show proof of residence.
– 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.
– 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.
– 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.
– Wizard Walk of York – Saturday and Sunday – Email info@wizardwalkofyork.com to book, maximum 4 free tickets per booking. Tickets allocated on a first come first served basis for the Saturday 1.30pm or Sunday 1.30pm tour only. Wizard Wand Kits not included in the offer, but can be pre-ordered via email at £5 each. SOLD OUT
– York Army Museum – Saturday and Sunday – Pre-booking not required
– York Art Gallery – Saturday and Sunday – Pre-booking not required
– York Castle Museum – Saturday and Sunday – Pre-booking preferred
– York Cocoa Works – Saturday and Sunday – Create your very own 30g Chocolate Bar, to share or enjoy! You will work with tempered chocolate to mould and decorate your own unique Chocolate creation, to be enjoyed at home. Must be booked in advance.
– 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 20% off additional admissions throughout the whole weekend. Simply join the queue outside and receive your FREE printed ticket at the door! It’s first-come, first-served, so be there early to ensure you don’t miss out on this scrumptious opportunity.
– Yorkshire Museum – Saturday and Sunday – No pre-booking required
– Yorkshire Air Museum – Saturday and Sunday – No pre-booking required
