York Museums Trust

Events

Sounds of the Sixties  – Sat 1 Aug 2026

Sounds of the Sixties 

Date: Saturday 1 August 2026, 12:00 am
Venue: York Castle Museum

Sounds of the Sixties 
Saturday 1 August 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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Gala Street Performance  – Tue 4 Aug 2026

Gala Street Performance 

Date: Tuesday 4 August 2026, All Day
Venue: York Castle Museum

Gala Street Performance 
Tuesday 4 August 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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Castle Kitchen – Wed 5 Aug 2026

Castle Kitchen

Date: Wednesday 5 August 2026, 10:30 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Castle Kitchen 
Wedensday 5 August  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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‘Making Waves: The Magic of Materials’ with Professor Helen Smith – Wed 5 Aug 2026

‘Making Waves: The Magic of Materials’ with Professor Helen Smith

Date: Wednesday 5 August 2026, 12:00 pm-12:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

‘Making Waves: The Magic of Materials’ with Professor Helen Smith
Wednesday 5 August 2026 |  12 noon – 12.30pm
Included in general admission

Join Professor Helen Smith, founding co-director of Thin Ice Press and Head of the Department of English and Related Literature at the University of York, for an insightful talk exploring the materials of Japanese printmaking.
Learn how traditional inks, woods for carving and washi, a Japanese paper contribute to the textures and effects seen in the historic works on display in the exhibition. Helen will investigate the ‘water magic’ of washi and explain how skilled makers make waves in the sugeta (papermaking mold) to produce an exceptional finish.

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Curator Talk: Georgian Dress and Textiles – Fri 7 Aug 2026

Curator Talk: Georgian Dress and Textiles

Date: Friday 7 August 2026, 3:00 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Curator Talk: Georgian Dress and Textiles
Friday 7 August 2026, 3pm – 3.30pm
Included in general admission

Join Curator of Social History, Dr Faye Prior, for a talk about c.18th dress and textiles on display in York Castle Museum’s Secrets of Dress gallery. From patch boxes to knitted silk breeches: every object has its own secret, and Faye’s talk will reveal the secrets behind these fascinating and beautiful Georgian objects. 

There will be time following the talk to ask questions. Meet in the Secrets of Dress gallery. 

This talk is held in association with York Georgian Festival. For more information about the programme, visit York Mansion House’s website.

 

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Sounds of the Sixties  – Sat 8 Aug 2026

Sounds of the Sixties 

Date: Saturday 8 August 2026, 12:00 am
Venue: York Castle Museum

Sounds of the Sixties 
Saturday 8 August 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 8 Aug 2026

Castle Kitchen

Date: Saturday 8 August 2026, 10:30 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Castle Kitchen 
Saturday 8 August 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 8 Aug 2026

Life Drawing - Model as Muse

Date: Saturday 8 August 2026, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Life Drawing – Model as Muse
Saturday 8 August 2026, 2pm – 4pm
Adult only (18+) | £15 per person* | Book tickets here
*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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Summer Supper Club – Sat 8 Aug 2026

Summer Supper Club

Date: Saturday 8 August 2026, 6:30 pm-9:00 pm
Venue: Sketch Café

Summer Supper Club
Saturday 8 August 2026
Arrival from 6.30pm, dinner served from 7pm
£45 per person (set 4-course menu)
Tickets available, please email Maria@sketchyork.co.uk
Suitable for all ages

Join us for a special evening of great food and beautiful surroundings as Sketch Café hosts a series of Summer Supper Clubs.

Each supper club will feature its own unique four-course menu, specially created for that evening. Settle in for an evening of seasonal flavours and relaxed dining in the café after hours.

Menus will be announced on Sketch’s Instagram account @sketchyork

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Gala Street Performance  – Tue 11 Aug 2026

Gala Street Performance 

Date: Tuesday 11 August 2026, All Day
Venue: York Castle Museum

Gala Street Performance 
Tuesday 11 August 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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