Date: Saturday 1 August 2026, 10:30 am-3:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Creative Families 
Saturday 1 August 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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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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Date: Wednesday 5 August 2026, 10:15 am-12:15 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Gallery Tales 
Wednesday 5 August 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.  

Join cheeky Caper, a horse character inspired by Leeds Pottery horses in the Burton Gallery, for a thrilling, giggle-filled adventure.   

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

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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

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Date: Thursday 6 August 2026, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Art Outdoors
Thursday 6 August 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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Date: Friday 7 August 2026, 10:30 am-3:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Creative Families: Pattern Prints
Friday 7 August 2026
Drop in between 10.30am – 3.30pm 
Included in general admission 
Suitable for all ages  

Design your own motif inspired by the beautiful patterns found in Japanese textiles and woodblock prints. You’ll experiment with simple relief printing techniques to design and print your pattern in this family workshop. 

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

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