Date: Friday 22 May 2026, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Shakespeare and Rome
Friday 22 May 2026
1:30pm – 1.55pm | 3pm – 3.25pm
Included in general admission to the Yorkshire Museum | Book Tickets
Suitable for all ages

Celebrating York’s Roman history, inspired by Roman objects in the Yorkshire Museum, and performed on the historic mosaic floor, this short play ‘Friends, Romans, Yorkshiremen, Shakespeare, York and Rome’ explores questions of history and memory, and the importance of the seemingly insignificant – through the words of Shakespeare.

Shakespeare wrote four Roman plays and a long poem, all set in and around Rome, and the Roman empire. He also leant liberally on Roman writers such as Ovid and Plautus for context and comedy. During his education, he learnt about the recorded history of Roman rulers and leaders, and their battles, exploring questions of personal dilemma and individual responsibility.

‘Shakespeare and Rome’ is a collaborative project between York Museums Trust and York International Shakespeare Festival.

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Date: Saturday 23 May 2026, 10:30 am-2:30 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

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Date: Saturday 23 May 2026, 11:00 am-1:15 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Kids Barbaric Battle 
Saturday 23 May |York Museum Gardens | 11.00am and 1.15pm
£10 per child* | Tickets Coming Soon 

Every Roman soldier remembers their first battle, and now it’s your little warrior’s turn! In the Kids Battle, up to 100 young fighters will step into the Museum Gardens to prove themselves worthy of the gods (and we’re pretty sure they all are!). This is a practice battle, so safety comes first: foam weapons, shields, and equipment are all provided. Little legionaries under 5 will need an adult by their side on the battlefield.

*Includes one Adult supervising a child.

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Date: Sunday 24 May 2026, 11:00 am-1:15 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Kids Barbaric Battle 
Sunday 24 May |York Museum Gardens | 11.00am and 1.15pm
£10 per child* | Tickets Coming Soon 

Every Roman soldier remembers their first battle, and now it’s your little warrior’s turn! In the Kids Battle, up to 100 young fighters will step into the Museum Gardens to prove themselves worthy of the gods (and we’re pretty sure they all are!). This is a practice battle, so safety comes first: foam weapons, shields, and equipment are all provided. Little legionaries under 5 will need an adult by their side on the battlefield.

*Includes one Adult supervising a child.

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Date: Sunday 24 May 2026, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Terry Deary: ‘Revolting – a riotous history of rebellions and revolutions’

Sunday 24 May  | 2:00pm

Suitable for ages 16+  | £7.50pp  | Book Tickets Here 

Writer Terry Deary will be talking about his best-selling adult non-fiction titles, ‘Revolting’ and ‘A history of Britain in Ten enemies’. He’ll be focusing especially on entertaining tales from the Roman Republic and the struggles of the victims of Roman oppression. For ages 16+.

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Date: Wednesday 27 May 2026, 10:15 am-12:15 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

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Date: Thursday 28 May 2026, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Shakespeare and Rome
Thursday 28 May 2026
1:30pm – 1.55pm | 3pm – 3.25pm
Included in general admission to the Yorkshire Museum | Book Tickets
Suitable for all ages

Celebrating York’s Roman history, inspired by Roman objects in the Yorkshire Museum, and performed on the historic mosaic floor, this short play ‘Friends, Romans, Yorkshiremen, Shakespeare, York and Rome’ explores questions of history and memory, and the importance of the seemingly insignificant – through the words of Shakespeare.

Shakespeare wrote four Roman plays and a long poem, all set in and around Rome, and the Roman empire. He also leant liberally on Roman writers such as Ovid and Plautus for context and comedy. During his education, he learnt about the recorded history of Roman rulers and leaders, and their battles, exploring questions of personal dilemma and individual responsibility.

‘Shakespeare and Rome’ is a collaborative project between York Museums Trust and York International Shakespeare Festival.

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Date: Wednesday 3 June 2026, 12:00 pm-12:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

‘Conservation up Close: Caring for Japanese Woodblock Prints’ with Mhairi Boyle
Wednesday 3 June 2026  |  12 noon – 12.30pm
Included in general admission | Book Tickets

Join Mhairi Boyle, a conservation professional who carried out treatment on 19 woodblock prints in preparation for the Making Waves exhibition, for an insightful talk about the preservation and display of historic works on paper.

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Date: Wednesday 3 June 2026, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Sketchbook Circle
Wednesday 3 June  2026 | 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Suitable for ages 16+ | £5 per person* | Book Tickets Here 
*General admission to York Art Gallery is included.

Pick up a pencil – draw and discover!

Give yourself time to sharpen and share your drawing skills in this 2-hour sketching workshop with artist Griselda Goldsbrough.

Enjoy working in sketchbooks in a relaxed and friendly group, taking inspiration from the collections at York Art Gallery.

These informal practical art sessions run one Wednesday each month for beginners or those who create regularly. Suitable for ages 16+. Materials are provided. Please book separately for each session.

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Date: Thursday 4 June 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

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