Dates: Saturday 18 July 2026–Sunday 6 September 2026, 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Draw and Discover 
Daily 
10am – 4.30pm 
Included in general admission 
Suitable for all ages  

Discover our new Draw and Discover station, where budding artists can collect materials to draw and sketch with during their visit, using the artwork on display as inspiration for their own masterpieces.  

Collect materials from the foyer and get creative!

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Dates: Saturday 18 July 2026–Sunday 6 September 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Make and Play
Daily
10am – 5pm
Included in general admission 

Drop into the Rec Room to enjoy self-led craft activities and play inspired by the Yorkshire Museum’s collections. Make a bug brooch or a piece of Viking-themed beaded jewellery. 

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Dates: Saturday 18 July 2026–Sunday 19 July 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 18 July 2026, 10:30 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

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Date: Saturday 18 July 2026, 10:30 am-3:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Creative Families 
Saturday 18 July 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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Dates: Saturday 18 July 2026–Sunday 6 September 2026, 11:00 am-2:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Art Shot Talks 
Daily 
11am and 2pm 
Included in general admission  

Join a member of our Visitor Experience team for a short, insightful talk on their favourite artwork from the collection.  

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Date: Tuesday 21 July 2026, All Day
Venue: York Castle Museum

Gala Street Performance 
Tuesday 21 July 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: Wednesday 22 July 2026, 10:15 am-12:15 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Gallery Tales 
Wednesday 22 July 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.  

Come along to discover the secret zoo hiding inside the Gallery! Meet artsy animals hiding in the artworks and spot their friends in the galleries! 

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 22 July 2026, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Sketchbook Circle
Wednesday 22 July 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 23 July 2026, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Art Outdoors
Thursday 23 July 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. 

*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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