Events

Koto Japanese Harp Music Performances – Sat 29 Aug 2026

Date: Saturday 29 August 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Koto Japanese Harp Music Performances
Saturday 29 August 2026
Performances throughout the day | 10am, 11.20am, 12.40pm, 2pm and 3.15pm
Free
Suitable for all ages 

Koto music will fill the air at York Art Gallery with live performances throughout the day by Koto musician, Michael. Experience the calming distinctive sounds of the Koto, a traditional Japanese harp with a rich musical heritage, as its delicate melodies fill the foyer.

This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy an atmospheric and relaxing performance during your visit. Following each performance, there’ll be a chance to learn more about the instrument and have a go yourself!

General admission is not required to enjoy the musical performances in the foyer, however, tickets must be purchased at the admissions desk to explore the exhibition and galleries.

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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
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.

Saturday programme:

Ippuku Tea Stand
10am – 5pm
Free
Suitable for all ages
York Museum Gardens, directly behind York Art Gallery

Japanese Gardening Society
10am – 5pm
Free
Suitable for all ages
York Museum Gardens, directly behind York Art Gallery

Face Painting
10am – 4.30pm
Face Painting £7, Glitter Tattoo £5, Magic Combo (Face Painting and Glitter Tattoo) £10
Suitable for ages 3+
York Museum Gardens, directly behind York Art Gallery

Paddle in the Surf: Mokuhanga Printmaking 
10am – 4.30pm (sessions run every 25 mins)
£15 per person, tickets available on the day
Suitable for all ages and abilities
York Museum Gardens, directly behind York Art Gallery

Art Outdoors: Make a Splash
11am – 4pm
Free
Suitable for all ages
York Museum Gardens, directly behind York Art Gallery

Sun Ring Making
10.30am – 4.30pm
Free
Suitable for all ages
York Museum Gardens, directly behind York Art Gallery

Jiu Jitsu Performance 
2pm
Free
Suitable for all ages
York Museum Gardens, directly behind York Art Gallery

The Art of Kokedama
11am – 12 noon
£25 pp, limited tickets available | SOLD OUT
Suitable for ages 10+
The Studio, York Art Gallery

Making Waves Talks
11am and 2pm
Included in admission to York Art Gallery
Suitable for all ages

Koto Japanese Harp Music Performances
Saturday 29 August | Performances throughout the day from 10am
Free
Suitable for all ages
Foyer, York Art Gallery

Don’t miss this final chance to see our highly acclaimed exhibition, Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print, closing Sunday 30 August!

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Open Studio: Make and Play – Sat 29 Aug 2026

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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Paddle in the Surf: Mokuhanga Printmaking – Sat 29 Aug 2026

Date: Saturday 29 August 2026, 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Paddle in the Surf: Mokuhanga Printmaking 
Saturday 29 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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Castle Kitchen – Sat 29 Aug 2026

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

Castle Kitchen

Saturday 29 August 2026

Drop in between 10.30am – 4pm

Suitable for all ages | Included in general admission

Come watch our cookery demonstrations throughout the day of Mrs Beeton’s picnic recipes including Balmoral tarts, Sponge Cake, Tea Cream and Apple Cheesecake. There’s a sweet treat to satisfy everyone’s palate and there’ll be samples to treat your taste buds!

Pick up a recipe card or scan the QR code available to get the recipes straight to your phone to try recreate yourself at home.

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Creative Families – Sat 29 Aug 2026

Date: Saturday 29 August 2026, 10:30 am-3:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Creative Families
Saturday 29 August 2026
Drop in between 10.30am – 3.30pm
Included in general admission
Suitable for all ages

Join artist Lendita, for a fun, family workshop inspired by the Victorian York Gala. Surrounded by a themed paper-cut installation, created by Yorkshire artist Pippa Dyrlaga, you’ll make a colourful hot air balloon creation.

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Sun Ring Making – Sat 29 Aug 2026

Date: Saturday 29 August 2026, 10:30 am-4:30 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Sun Ring Making
Saturday 29 August 2026
Drop in between 10.30am – 4.30pm 
Free
Suitable for all ages 

Join artist Seiko Kinoshita for a fun, family-friendly workshop where you’ll create your own colourful woven sun wheel to take home. 

This session takes place outdoors (weather permitting), in the Artists’ Garden directly behind York Art Gallery.

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Art Outdoors: Make a Splash – Sat 29 Aug 2026

Date: Saturday 29 August 2026, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Art Outdoors: Make a Splash
Saturday 29 August 2026
Drop in between 11am – 4pm
Free*
Suitable for all ages

Join us in the Artist Garden, directly behind York Art Gallery, for an outdoor play activity, inspired by York Art Gallery’s exhibition, Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print. Experiment with mark making techniques, play and create!

*Please note, this activity is weather dependent.  In the case of bad weather, the activity may take place indoors, but general admission charges apply.

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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 | SOLD OUT

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.

Participants aged under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

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Jiu Jitsu Performance  – Sat 29 Aug 2026

Date: Saturday 29 August 2026, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Jiu Jitsu Performance
Saturday 29 August 2026
2pm
Free
Suitable for all ages

Enjoy a demonstration of Jiu Jitsu, the unarmed self-defence martial art the Samurai (armoured warriors) used to train for the battlefield, with a modern twist.

This performance will offer an introduction to the sport, showcasing techniques from falling safely to defence against punches, grabs and weapons and grappling techniques.

This session takes place outdoors (weather permitting), in the Artists’ Garden directly behind York Art Gallery.

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