Dates: Wednesday 14 October 2026–Friday 13 November 2026, 10:30 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Object Encounter: Scarificator 
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.

Please note, this talk is suitable for family audiences but covers the topic of bloodletting. Discretion is advised. This activity to subject to staff availability.

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Dates: Wednesday 14 October 2026–Thursday 24 December 2026, 11:00 am-2:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Kirkgate Talks
Daily
11.30am and 2pm
Included in general admission 

Learn about the creation of the Victorian street, Kirkgate, one of the oldest recreated indoor streets of its kind in the world in this insightful talk.

Please note, talks are subject to staff availability.

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Dates: Wednesday 14 October 2026–Thursday 24 December 2026, 11:30 am-2:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Cells Talks 
Daily 
11.30am and 2.30pm 
Included in general admission 

Discover the history of York Castle Prison and some of its notorious inmates. 

Please note, talks are subject to staff availability.

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Dates: Saturday 24 October 2026–Saturday 31 October 2026, 1:00 pm
Venue:

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Date: Thursday 29 October 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Make and Play: Bayeux Tapestry Weaving
Thursday 29 October 2026 | 10am – 4pm
Included in general admission | Book Tickets

Celebrate the display of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum, one of the Yorkshire Museum’s partners, by having a go at weaving in our craft room.

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Date: Thursday 29 October 2026, 10:30 am-3:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Creative Families: Sculpt and Shape
Thursday 29 October 2026
Drop in between 10.30am – 3.30pm
Included in general admission | Book Tickets
Suitable for all ages

Experiment with sculpting techniques in this family-friendly workshop, inspired by our exhibition Turner, Wedgwood and Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman.

There’s no need to pre-book, just drop in on the day and get creative!

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Date: Thursday 29 October 2026, 10:30 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Tales of Nut-Crack Night
Daily, Saturday 24 October – Saturday 31 October 2026
Performances throughout the day
Included in general admission | Book Tickets

History Riot return to York Castle Museum this October Half-Term daily from Saturday 24 – Saturday 31 October, with an array of family friendly performances.

Join two eccentric Victorian characters for silliness and autumnal adventures on Kirkgate. Experience and learn about Yorkshire traditions from All Hallow’s Eve, or as the Victorian’s called it, Nut-Crack Night!

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Date: Thursday 29 October 2026, 12:00 pm-12:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Anina Major’s Woven Family
Thursday 29 October | 12:00 pm
Included in general admission

To celebrate Black History Month, join curator of ceramics Dr Helen Walsh for a special on-gallery talk exploring the work of Bahamian-born artist Anina Major and Kindred, an important new addition to York Art Gallery’s collection.

Now living and working in New York State, Major developed an innovative approach to woven ceramics after a chance discovery sparked memories of family and home. ‘Kindred’ is the first work by Major to be acquired by a public gallery outside the US.

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