Events

York Comedy Festival 2026 – Sun 12 Jul 2026

Date: Sunday 12 July 2026, 2:30 pm-8:00 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

York Comedy Festival 2026
Sunday 12 July 2026 | Gates open 2.30pm | York Museum Gardens
Strictly 16+ (performances may contain adult language and subject matter) | Buy Tickets

One of the UK’s largest outdoor comedy events, York Comedy Festival, part of Live at York Museum Gardens by Futuresound Group returns in 2026 following a sell-out debut in July 2025.

The 2026 line-up for the open-air comedy event has been announced, featuring headliner and stand-up comedy legends Russell Howard (Russell Howard’s Good News, Mock The Week) and surrealist stand up legend Ross Noble (Have I Got News For You, BBC Radio 4’s Just A Minute) Joining them is Edinburgh Comedy Award winning stand-up and presenter Russell Kane, Irish stand-up and podcast sensation Joanne McNally (Taskmaster, My Therapist Ghosted Me), ‘Big Kick Energy’ podcaster and comedian Suzi Ruffell, cult-stand up hero turned viral-sensation Jeff Innocent, ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ finalist and ‘Live at The Apollo’ star Nabil Abdulrashid and Barry From Watford, the 82 year-old comic creation of Alex Lowe (Clinton Baptiste).

The event will be hosted and MC’d by Jarred Christmas, a UK based New Zealand comic and winner of Chortle’s ‘Best compere’ award, Christmas has appeared on shows including Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Mock The Week, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and many more.

York exclusive postcode* presale tickets go live 10am, 21 January (* YO1, YO10, YO19, YO23, YO24, YO26, YO30, YO31, YO32). Buy here.

General sale live from 10am, 23 January. Buy here.

Please note, this is not a York Museums Trust event. For more information, visit York Comedy Festival’s website, or contact Futuresound Group for enquiries.

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York Proms – Sun 26 Jul 2026

Date: Sunday 26 July 2026, 5:30 pm-10:30 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Sunday 26 July 2026 | 5.30pm-10.30pm | York Museum Gardens

Book tickets here

The York Proms returns to the York Museum Gardens on Sunday 26 July 2026, with a great night of live entertainment featuring live orchestra, soloists, a stunning fireworks finale and local talent on the warm up stage.

Tickets are available to buy on the York Proms website.

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‘Making Waves: The Magic of Materials’ with Professor Helen Smith – Wed 5 Aug 2026

Date: Wednesday 5 August 2026, 12:00 pm-12:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

‘Making Waves: The Magic of Materials’ with Professor Helen Smith

Wednesday 5 August 2026 | 12 noon

Included in General Admission

Join Professor Helen Smith for a talk in our Making Waves Exhibition. Professor Helen Smith is the founding co-director of Thin Ice Press, the Department of English and Related Literature’s in-house letterpress studio. Helen is Professor of Renaissance Literature and Head of the Department of English and Related Literature at the University of York.

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Making Waves: A Closing Celebration – Sat 29 Aug 2026

Date: Saturday 29 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

Included in general admission

Suitable for all ages

Join us to celebrate the closing of the Making Waves exhibition with a weekend of music, workshops, creative activities, food, drink and festivities for all the family in the gallery and Museum Gardens. More details about the programme coming soon.

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The Art of Kokedama – Sat 29 Aug 2026

Date: Saturday 29 August 2026, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

The Art of Kokedama

Saturday 29 August 2026 | 11am- 12 noon

£25 pp | Tickets available soon

Suitable for ages 10+

In this creative session, Alice from The Outside In will take you step-by-step through the traditional style of creating Kokedama: using leafy plants and moss. Kokedama, roughly translates into English as ‘moss ball.’

You’ll learn the method of binding the root ball of a plant in a clay soil mix and moss, so that it no longer needs a pot to grow in. It’s a great opportunity to learn about handling plants, roots and soil, making the most of time well spent connecting to nature.

When you finish, you’ll have a Kokedama plant ball to take home and love. Your mossy plant ball can then be hung up or displayed sitting on a decorative plate or piece of wood.

All of the materials and guidance will be provided, along with aftercare instructions on how to help your Kokedama to thrive, and a bag to safely transport your plant home.

All materials are provided.

Participants aged under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

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Making Waves: A Closing Celebration – Sun 30 Aug 2026

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

Included in general admission

Suitable for all ages

Join us to celebrate the closing of the Making Waves exhibition with a weekend of music, workshops, creative activities, food, drink and festivities for all the family in the gallery and Museum Gardens. More details about the programme coming soon.

View event >

The Art of Kokedama – Sun 30 Aug 2026

Date: Sunday 30 August 2026, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

The Art of Kokedama

Sunday 30 August 2026 | 11am- 12 noon

£25 pp | Tickets available soon

Suitable for ages 10+

In this creative session, Alice from The Outside In will take you step-by-step through the traditional style of creating Kokedama: using leafy plants and moss. Kokedama, roughly translates into English as ‘moss ball.’

You’ll learn the method of binding the root ball of a plant in a clay soil mix and moss, so that it no longer needs a pot to grow in. It’s a great opportunity to learn about handling plants, roots and soil, making the most of time well spent connecting to nature.

When you finish, you’ll have a Kokedama plant ball to take home and love. Your mossy plant ball can then be hung up or displayed sitting on a decorative plate or piece of wood.

All of the materials and guidance will be provided, along with aftercare instructions on how to help your Kokedama to thrive, and a bag to safely transport your plant home.

All materials are provided.

Participants aged under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

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York Dog Show – Sun 20 Sep 2026

Date: Sunday 20 September 2026, 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

York Dog Show
Sunday 20 September 2026 | 10am – 4pm | York Museum Gardens

Tickets available soon

York Museums Trust is delighted to announce York Dog Show, a new outdoor event in York Museum Gardens. York Dog Show celebrates the bond we share with our beloved furry four-legged friends whilst supporting local organisations and charities.

Browse our pop-up shopping village, filled with pet accessories, toys and treats, informative stalls, and a delicious food and drink offer from local artisans and enjoy a lively programme of activity including talks by veterinary experts, professional dog photography in our beautiful grounds, exciting dog classes and impressive agility demonstrations.

More than just a day out, the York Dog Show brings together a dog loving community in one of York’s most popular outdoor spaces.

We are now welcoming applications from businesses who would like to showcase their products at this exciting new event in the heart of York City Centre. Applications are open until 30 April 2026. To register your interest, please complete the trader booking form. Our Events Team will endeavour to acknowledge to your application within 5 working days. You can view the T&Cs here.

Admission tickets will be on sale soon – keep an eye out for updates and join us with family, friends and your canine companion for a wonderful day out.