York Museums Trust

Events

York Comedy Festival 2026 – Sun 12 Jul 2026

York Comedy Festival 2026

Date: Sunday 12 July 2026, 2:30 pm-8:00 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

York Comedy Festival 2026
Sunday 12 July 2026 | Gates open 2.30pm | York Museum Gardens
Strictly 16+ (performances may contain adult language and subject matter) | Buy Tickets

One of the UK’s largest outdoor comedy events, York Comedy Festival, part of Live at York Museum Gardens by Futuresound Group returns in 2026 following a sell-out debut in July 2025.

The 2026 line-up for the open-air comedy event has been announced, featuring headliner and stand-up comedy legends Russell Howard (Russell Howard’s Good News, Mock The Week) and surrealist stand up legend Ross Noble (Have I Got News For You, BBC Radio 4’s Just A Minute) Joining them is Edinburgh Comedy Award winning stand-up and presenter Russell Kane, Irish stand-up and podcast sensation Joanne McNally (Taskmaster, My Therapist Ghosted Me), ‘Big Kick Energy’ podcaster and comedian Suzi Ruffell, cult-stand up hero turned viral-sensation Jeff Innocent, ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ finalist and ‘Live at The Apollo’ star Nabil Abdulrashid and Barry From Watford, the 82 year-old comic creation of Alex Lowe (Clinton Baptiste).

The event will be hosted and MC’d by Jarred Christmas, a UK  based New Zealand comic and winner of Chortle’s ‘Best compere’ award, Christmas has appeared on shows including Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Mock The Week, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and many more.

York exclusive postcode* presale tickets go live 10am, 21 January (* YO1, YO10, YO19, YO23, YO24, YO26, YO30, YO31, YO32). Buy here.

General sale live from 10am, 23 January. Buy here.

Please note, this is not a York Museums Trust event. For more information, visit York Comedy Festival’s website, or contact Futuresound Group for enquiries.

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Creative Families – Sat 18 Jul 2026

Creative Families

Date: Saturday 18 July 2026, 12:00 am
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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Castle Kitchen – Sat 18 Jul 2026

Castle Kitchen

Date: Saturday 18 July 2026, 10:30 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Castle Kitchen 
Saturday 18 July 2026
Drop in between 10.30am – 4pm
Suitable for all ages | Included in general admission

Come watch our cookery demonstrations throughout the day of Mrs Beeton’s picnic recipes including Balmoral tarts, Sponge Cake, Tea Cream and Apple Cheesecake. There’s a sweet treat to satisfy everyone’s palate and there’ll be samples to treat your taste buds! 

 Pick up a recipe card or scan the QR code available to get the recipes straight to your phone to try recreate yourself at home. 

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Gala Street Performance  – Tue 21 Jul 2026

Gala Street Performance 

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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Sketchbook Circle at York Art Gallery – Wed 22 Jul 2026

Sketchbook Circle at York Art Gallery

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* | Tickets Coming Soon 

*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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Creative Families – Sat 25 Jul 2026

Creative Families

Date: Saturday 25 July 2026, 12:00 am
Venue: York Castle Museum

Creative Families 
Saturday 25 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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Sounds of the Sixties  – Sat 25 Jul 2026

Sounds of the Sixties 

Date: Saturday 25 July 2026, 12:00 am
Venue: York Castle Museum

Sounds of the Sixties 
Saturday 25 July 2026 
Performances throughout the day 
Included in general admission 
Suitable for all ages 

Take a trip back to the swinging sixties as live music fills the Sixties Street with the soundtrack of a generation. From folk favourites to chart-topping classics, experience the music that defined a decade. 

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Castle Kitchen – Sat 25 Jul 2026

Castle Kitchen

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

Castle Kitchen 
Saturday 25 July 2026
Drop in between 10.30am – 4pm
Suitable for all ages | Included in general admission
Come watch our cookery demonstrations throughout the day of Mrs Beeton’s picnic recipes including Balmoral tarts, Sponge Cake, Tea Cream and Apple Cheesecake. There’s a sweet treat to satisfy everyone’s palate and there’ll be samples to treat your taste buds! 

 Pick up a recipe card or scan the QR code available to get the recipes straight to your phone to try recreate yourself at home. 

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Life Drawing – Model as Muse – Sat 25 Jul 2026

Life Drawing - Model as Muse

Date: Saturday 25 July 2026, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Life Drawing – Model as Muse
Saturday 25 July  2026, 2pm – 4pm
Adult only (18+) | £15 per person* | Tickets available soon
*General admission to York Art Gallery is included.
Join us at York Art Gallery for Life Drawing Workshops; whether you are a regular participant, would like to hone your skills, or try life drawing for the first time. These 2-hour immersive Saturday sessions, led by York based artist and tutor Rob Oldfield, are a wonderful way to experience life drawing in a supportive and friendly environment.

Rob himself has modelled for life classes for many years, as well as teaching life drawing to his students. As workshop leader, Rob encourages, advises and listens, so come along and take advantage of his skills and experience.

Each month alongside our live model muse, there will be an appropriate reproduction of a work specially selected from the Art Gallery collection which we will reference to potentially inspire our activity.

Life Drawing Workshops take place on the second Saturday of each month, tickets will become available approximately a month in advance.

Important information:

Our Life Drawing sessions are suitable for adults only. By booking, you are confirming that you are over 18. Proof of age may be required.

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

If you’re more than 15 minutes late for your workshop, unfortunately we may not be able to guarantee entry. This is to ensure that participants have the best experience.

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York Proms – Sun 26 Jul 2026

York Proms

Date: Sunday 26 July 2026, 5:30 pm-10:30 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Sunday 26 July 2026 | 5.30pm-10.30pm  | York Museum Gardens

Book tickets here

The York Proms returns to the York Museum Gardens on Sunday 26 July 2026, with a great night of live entertainment featuring live orchestra, soloists, a stunning fireworks finale and local talent on the warm up stage.

Tickets are available to buy on the York Proms website.

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