Date: Sunday 25 October 2026, 10:30 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Sunday 25 October 2026
10:30am – 4pm | Demonstrations throughout the day
Included in general admission 

Call into the Castle Kitchen during your visit, located off the Secrets of Dress gallery, to watch live seasonal cooking demonstrations throughout the day.

This October Half-Term, we’re making Soul Cakes, a small cake with sweet spices traditionally made for Halloween. These treats are a symbol of community and remembrance in Christian traditions, used as offerings to commemorate the dead.

Try a tasty samples and scan the QR code on display for the recipe, so you can try it yourself at home!

View event >

Date: Sunday 25 October 2026, 2:00 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

‘A Basket Full of Eggs’: Film screening and Q&A with Professor Hazel Marsh
Sunday 25 October | 2pm – 3.30pm
Free entry to the event, pre-booking not required

In partnership with the University of York and York Travellers Trust, York Museums Trust is thrilled to be hosting a free screening of a compelling film about Romani communities. There will be a presentation, screening of ‘A Basket Full of Eggs’, and Q&A with the project lead, Professor Hazel Marsh.

‘A Basket Full of Eggs’ (19 minutes, 2025) was made by Romani filmmaker Lisa Smith, founder of the UK’s first Romani-led production company, Patrin Films. The film follows the personal journey of Romani journalist Liza Mortimer as she ventures into archival collections in search of her great-grandmother, Minty Smith. What begins as a quest for a single life story becomes a powerful revelation: a rich, interwoven legacy of Romani voices, songs, and cultural influence embedded within England’s traditional folk music.

Through rare recordings and rediscovered stories of Minty Smith and other Romani folk singers, the film illuminates the vital role that Romani communities played in preserving and shaping England’s folk traditions, long overlooked yet deeply influential.

Watch the trailer

Funded by the University of East Anglia’s AHRC Impact Acceleration Award, the film was nominated best activist film at the OffBeat 2026 Folk Film Festival.

View event >

Date: Tuesday 27 October 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Make and Play: Bayeux Tapestry Weaving
Tuesday 27 October 2026 | 10am – 4pm
Included in general admission

Celebrate the display of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum, one of the Yorkshire Museum’s partners, by having a go at weaving in our craft room.

View event >

Date: Wednesday 28 October 2026, 10:15 am-12:15 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Gallery Tales 
Wednesday 28 October 2026
Session 1: 10.15am – 11am | Session 2: 11.30am – 12.15pm  
£7 per child* | Book Now
Recommended for ages 2-8  

*Ticket includes general admission to York Art Gallery, including our exhibition Turner, Wedgwood & Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman.

Join the award-winning Story Craft Theatre and step into a world of imagination where art comes alive and stories leap off the walls!

This October Half-Term, there’s a new interactive storytelling adventure which takes inspiration from our exhibition Turner, Wedgwood & Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman, designed to spark curiosity, creativity and joy.

View event >

Date: Wednesday 28 October 2026, 10:30 am-3:30 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Creative Families: Bayeux Tapestry
Wednesday 28 October 2026 | Drop in between 10.30am – 3.30pm
Included in general admission

Join us for a Bayeux Tapestry inspired craft session, celebrating its special display at the British Museum, guided by artist Lendita.

View event >

Date: Thursday 29 October 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Make and Play: Bayeux Tapestry Weaving
Thursday 29 October 2026 | 10am – 4pm
Included in general admission

Celebrate the display of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum, one of the Yorkshire Museum’s partners, by having a go at weaving in our craft room.

View event >

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

Thursday 29 October 2026
10:30am – 4pm |Demonstrations throughout the day
Included in general admission 

Call into the Castle Kitchen during your visit, located off the Secrets of Dress gallery, to watch live seasonal cooking demonstrations throughout the day.

This October Half-Term, we’re making Soul Cakes, a small cake with sweet spices traditionally made for Halloween. These treats are a symbol of community and remembrance in Christian traditions, used as offerings to commemorate the dead.

Try a tasty samples and scan the QR code on display for the recipe, so you can try it yourself at home!

View event >

Date: Thursday 29 October 2026, 10:30 am-3:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Creative Families: Sculpt and Shape
Thursday 29 October 2026
Drop in between 10.30am – 3.30pm
Included in general admission
Suitable for all ages

Experiment with sculpting techniques in this family-friendly workshop, inspired by our exhibition Turner, Wedgwood and Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman.

There’s no need to pre-book, just drop in on the day and get creative!

View event >

Date: Friday 30 October 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Make and Play: Bayeux Tapestry Weaving
Friday 30 October 2026 | 10am – 4pm
Included in general admission

Celebrate the display of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum, one of the Yorkshire Museum’s partners, by having a go at weaving in our craft room.

View event >

Date: Friday 30 October 2026, 2:00 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Family Life Drawing 
Friday 30 October 2026
2pm – 3.30pm 
£10 per person* | Book Now
Suitable for ages 5+

*Ticket price includes general admission to York Art Gallery, including our exhibition Turner, Wedgwood & Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman.

Join us at York Art Gallery for a family-friendly life drawing class, set in our latest exhibition Turner, Wedgwood and Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman.

Led by York based artist and tutor, Rob Oldfield, you’ll draw from a live model, exploring gesture, movement, shape and storytelling — turning what we see into expressive drawings. Expect quick sketches, big movements, curious observations and plenty of imagination.

This session is all about having a go, looking carefully and enjoying drawing together, no experience is necessary.

Important information:

These Life Drawing sessions are suitable for ages 5+. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Basic drawing materials will be supplied, but please feel free to bring your own too.

Sessions will take place on gallery which will continue to be open to the public throughout.

View event >