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 to take advantage of, from free river cruises with City Cruises York and 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, Explore York cafes, York Cocoa Works, York Gin and Loopy Scoops. Visit the Visit York website for the latest offers.
How it 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.
York attractions taking part in this year’s Residents’ Festival
– 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 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. CANCELLED – Find out more
– 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 tower so queues are expected. The queue may be closed off before our advertised closing time.
– DIG: An Archaeological Adventure – Saturday and Sunday. Free entry after 2pm. First-come, first-served; no pre-booking.
– JORVIK Viking Centre – Saturday and Sunday. Free entry after 2pm. First-come, first-served; no 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.
– The Hole in Wand – Saturday and Sunday – There are 750 tickets available for York residents over the weekend. Pre-booking required; email with your preferred time slot. **NOW SOLD OUT**
– Wizard Walk of York – Saturday – Places limited and allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Book early by sending an ‘owl’ (email) to info@wizardwalkofyork.com with your name, number of adults and children and any optional Wizard Wand Kits (£5 each, cash brought to the tour).
– York Art Gallery – Saturday and Sunday – Pre-booking not required
– York Castle Museum – Saturday and Sunday – Pre-booking preferred
– York Explore Library, Map Attack! – Lego City of Wonder – Saturday – Pre-booking not required.
– York Mansion House – Sat 29 Jan-Sun 30 Jan, 10.30am to 5pm (last admission 4.30pm). Pre-booking not required.
– York Minster – Climb the tower! Saturday and Sunday. Free entry. Pre-booking required on the day.
– 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 Air Museum – Saturday and Sunday – No pre-booking required
