Date: Tuesday 25 August 2026, All Day
Venue: York Castle Museum

Gala Street Performance 
Tuesday 25 August 2026 
Performances throughout the day 
Included in general admission 
Suitable for all ages 

The spirit of York Gala arrives on Kirkgate with live entertainment and performances. Expect fun, laughter and Victorian-inspired acts! 

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Date: Tuesday 25 August 2026, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Meet Me at the Yorkshire Museum: Mary Anning
Tuesday 25 August 2026
Drop in between 11am – 4pm (Performances at 11am, 12 noon, 1.30pm and 2.30pm)
Included in general admission
Suitable for all ages 

HistoryRiot return to the Yorkshire Museum with another interactive storytelling experience, centred around Mary Anning, a renowned fossil hunter. Hear stories of her Jurassic discoveries and handle fossils and rocks that tell us about Yorkshire’s prehistoric past. 

‘Meet me at the Yorkshire Museum’ is brought to you by HistoryRiot, a performance company connecting people to place and past, through riotous performance and storytelling. 

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Date: Wednesday 26 August 2026, 10:15 am-12:15 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Gallery Tales 
Wednesday 26 August 2026 
Session 1: 10.15am – 11am | Session 2: 11.30am – 12.15pm 
£7 per child* | Book Tickets
Suitable for ages 2-8  

Join the award-winning Story Craft Theatre and step into a world of imagination where art comes alive and stories leap off the walls! There’s a new interactive storytelling adventure each week, inspired by the artwork at York Art Gallery and designed to spark curiosity, creativity and joy.  

In this final session of the summer, we’re celebrating the story of Burt the Irish Wolfhound; one of Story Craft’s favourite artworks at the Gallery. 

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Due to space restrictions, a max of 1 adult per booking.  

*Admission to York Art Gallery is included.  

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Date: Wednesday 26 August 2026, 10:30 am-3:30 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Creative Families
Every Wednesday from 22 July – 26 August 2026
Drop in between 10.30am – 3.30pm
Included in general admission
Suitable for all ages 

Join artist Lendita for a creative workshop where you’ll make your own hoard of treasure, inspired by our exhibition Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard. 

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Date: Thursday 27 August 2026, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Art Outdoors
Fortnightly on Thursdays from 30 July – 27 August 2026
Drop in between 11am – 4pm
Free*
Suitable for all ages
Come along to York Museum Gardens for an outdoor play activity, inspired by the Yorkshire Museum’s exhibition, Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard.

*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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Date: Friday 28 August 2026, 10:30 am-3:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Creative Families: Pattern Prints
Friday 28 August 2026
Drop in between 10.30am – 3.30pm 
Included in general admission 
Suitable for all ages  

Design your own motif, inspired by the beautiful patterns found in Japanese textiles and woodblock prints. You’ll experiment with simple relief printing techniques to design and print your pattern in this drop-in family workshop. 

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Date: Friday 28 August 2026, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Meet Me at the Yorkshire Museum: Mary Anning
Friday 28 August 2026
Drop in between 11am – 4pm (Performances at 11am, 12 noon, 1.30pm and 2.30pm)
Included in general admission
Suitable for all ages 

HistoryRiot return to the Yorkshire Museum with another interactive storytelling experience, centred around Mary Anning, a renowned fossil hunter. Hear stories of her Jurassic discoveries and handle fossils and rocks that tell us about Yorkshire’s prehistoric past. 

‘Meet me at the Yorkshire Museum’ is brought to you by HistoryRiot, a performance company connecting people to place and past, through riotous performance and storytelling. 

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Date: Friday 28 August 2026, 6:30 pm-9:30 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

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

Face Painting
Saturday 29 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: Saturday 29 August 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Koto Japanese Harp Music Performances
Saturday 29 August 2026
Performances throughout the day
Free 
Suitable for all ages  

Koto music will fill the air at York Art Gallery with live performances throughout the day by 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. 

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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