24 things to do in York this weekend, May 21-22 2016
Weekend racing returns, there’s a knees-up in a brewery and four attractions go free. The full programme is in our comprehensive What’s On GuideSaturday racing
The first Saturday of the York racing season arrives at York Racecourse this weekend, and under 18s go free. There are seven races, with the feature race of the day the weddingmates.co.uk Grand Cup. Gates open at 11.45am, and the racing gets under way at 2.05pm – more here.
York Brewery’s 20th birthday
York Brewery opened on Toft Green 20 years and 27 million pints ago. And to celebrate their having an open days with hourly free tours, live music, prizes and cask ales for an amazing £1.90 a pint. Saturday and Sunday noon-6pm – more here.
York Brewery to celebrate 20 glorious years – and many more beers – with two-day party
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Alcuin’s Puzzles In The Pub | Eagle & Child | Sun @ 7.30pm |
Theatre Royal costume sale
Saturday offers up the chance to take home a piece of York Theatre Royal history as its fabulous costume sale returns at the De Grey Rooms. Pick up a classic Berwick frock, or choose from retro accessories, hats and shoes between 10am – 4pm. More here.
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Vintage and Retro Fair | Heworth Church Hall | Sat @ 9.30am-4pm |
Four free attractions
As a big thank you from Jorvik for the city’s support after the Viking Centre flooded, they’re allowing free entry to their other four attractions this weekend – as long you can prove you’re a York resident. Barley Hall, Dig, Richard III Experience and Henry VII Experience will all be open from 10am on Saturday and Sunday. Plus there’s a new Viking exhibition at York Theatre Royal – more here.
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Big Boardgaming Day | Bar Convent | Sat @ 10am |
| Fantasy Fish Yarnstorm Workshop | Golden Ball | Sat @ noon-4pm |
| Helmsley Walled Garden – residents free | Helmsley | Sun @ 10am |
| Garden Walk | York Cemetery | Sun @ 2pm |
Joe Lycett returns
On a previous visit to York Joe Lycett got a parking ticket – and responded to it so brilliantly that it became a YouTube favourite. This week he comes back as part of the Saturday Night Lounge line-up. Who knows what he’ll get up to? Saturday from 8pm – more here.
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| The Merry Wives | York Theatre Royal | Till Sat |
| Scenes From A Teenage Killing | Bay Horse | Sat & Sun @ 7.30pm |
| The Machine Stops | York Theatre Royal | Till June 4 |
| Dance of the Seasons | Jo Ro Theatre | Sat @ 2pm & 6pm |
| A Walk Down The Theatre Aisle | Clements Hall | Sat @ 7.30pm |
Scandinavian Choir Festival
This is the largest number of Scandinavian choirs since the festival began over 20 years ago and this year includes a children’s choir from Lapland. Events include an open-air concert in King’s Square on Saturday from 11am and a series of concerts at city centre churches on Sunday – more here.
| Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| York Rocks Against Cancer | Grand Opera House | Sat @ 7.30pm |
| Southbank Sessions | Knavesmire pub | Sat @ 5pm |
| Tony Wright (Terrorvision) | Fulford Arms | Sat @ 7.30pm |
| Anglo-Swedish Concert | St Columba’s | Sat @ 8pm |
| Noize Doctorz | Black Horse | Sat @ 9pm |
| Yesterday’s Tomorrow | Edinburgh Arms | Sat @ 9pm |
| Dan Reed & Danny Vaughn | Duchess | Sun @ 7.30pm |