Dates: Saturday 18 July 2026–Sunday 6 September 2026, 11:00 am-2:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Art Shot Talks 
Daily 
11am and 2pm 
Included in general admission  

Join a member of our Visitor Experience team for a short, insightful talk on their favourite artwork from the collection.  

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Dates: Saturday 18 July 2026–Sunday 6 September 2026, 1:00 pm-2:00 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Gallery Talks
Daily, except Mondays
1pm and 2pm
Included in general admission

Join a member of our Visitor Experience team for a short, insightful talk on their favourite artefact from the collection. 

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Dates: Tuesday 21 July 2026–Sunday 6 September 2026, 10:30 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Object Encounter
Daily
10.30am and 4pm

Drop into Saville’s Chemist on Kirkgate to hear about modern Victorian medicine practice and the popular treatment of bloodletting.

Discover how a 19th century scarificator was used to balance the blood of the 4 humours, blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm, in order to treat headaches, fever and many other ailments.

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Dates: Wednesday 22 July 2026–Sunday 6 September 2026, 10:00 am-3:30 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Make and Play
Daily, except Wednesdays, from Thursday 23 July – Sunday 30 August 2026
10am – 3.30pm
Included in general admission 

Drop into the Rec Room to enjoy self-led craft activities and play inspired by the Yorkshire Museum’s collections. Make a bug brooch or a piece of Viking-themed beaded jewellery. 

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Dates: Saturday 29 August 2026–Sunday 30 August 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Open Studio: Make and Play
Every Saturday and Sunday from 18 July – 6 September  except 25 July and 8 August 2026
10am – 4pm
Included in general admission 
Suitable for all ages  

Discover family friendly stamp and ink activities inspired by the Making Waves: The Art of Woodblock Print exhibition in The Studio. Experiment, collaborate and create! 

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Date: Sunday 30 August 2026, 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Face Painting
Sunday 30 August 2026
10am – 4.30pm  
Prices: Glitter Tattoo £5, Face Painting £7, Magic Combo (face painting and glitter tattoo) £10 
Suitable for ages 3+ 

Choose from a range of face painting designs by Fairy Dream Face Painting, including a striking wave inspired by Hokusai’s iconic The Great Wave. Glitter tattoos are also available.

Children under 16 will need permission to be painted from their parent, guardian or carer and must be accompanied.

 This session takes place outdoors, directly behind York Art Gallery.

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Date: Sunday 30 August 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Japanese Gardening Society
Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2026 
10am – 5pm  
Free
Suitable for all ages

Members of the Japanese Garden Society will be on hand to share their knowledge and expertise in Japanese Gardening from construction and maintenance to restoration.

The Japanese Gardening Society staff is located outdoors, in the Artists’ Garden directly behind York Art Gallery.

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Date: Sunday 30 August 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Making Waves: A Closing Celebration
Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2026
10am – 5pm
Suitable for all ages

Join us to celebrate the Making Waves exhibition by marking its closing weekend with a 2-day festival of music, workshops, creative activities, food and drink for all the family in York Art Gallery and York Museum Gardens. 

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Date: Sunday 30 August 2026, 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Paddle in the Surf: Mokuhanga Printmaking 
Sunday 30 August 2026
10am – 4.30pm (Sessions run every 25-minutes) 
£15 per person, tickets available to purchase on the day *
Suitable for all ages and abilities  

Join printmakers, Andy and Naomi to watch a live demonstration of Mokuhanga printmaking, a traditional Japanese woodblock printing technique. You’ll be guided through a short session creating 4 beautiful, printed designs inspired by ‘The Great Wave’ using rich Prussian blue ink and authentic materials to take home with you.   

*Workshop tickets do not include general admission to York Art Gallery.  This session takes place outdoors (weather permitting), in the Artists’ Garden directly behind York Art Gallery.

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Date: Sunday 30 August 2026, 11:00 am-3:30 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Taiko Drumming Performances
Sunday 30 August 2026
Performances: 11am – 11.30am and 3pm – 3.30pm
Interactive ‘give it a go’ session: 1.30pm – 2pm
Free
Suitable for all ages  

Enjoy an energetic Taiko drumming performance from York-based Taiko group, Kaminari UK.

Taiko, which originated in Japan, is an energetic and dynamic form of drumming combining both rhythm and movement.  The performances incorporate both traditional and contemporary pieces. 

During the ‘give-it-a-go’ session at 1.30pm, participants will have a chance to learn the basics of Taiko drumming and will learn a short piece. 

This session takes place outdoors, directly behind York Art Gallery. Please note, this activity is weather dependent and may be cancelled in the event of wet weather.

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