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. 

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

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

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

Jui Jitszu 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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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. 

View event >