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Wrap up and head out this half term – there’s Viking fun, arts and crafts, shows and sport to enjoy.
See every event in York’s best what’s on guide here.
32 things to do in York this half term holiday, February 2018
The Vikings!
Jorvik Viking Festival
York is bracing itself for its annual invasion of Vikings, which this year celebrates the arrival of the Norse invaders in 866AD, when the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Eoforic was reborn as the Viking city of Jorvik. Sword fight at the Parliament Street encampment, meet the storytellers in Coppergate and watch the crafts people in St Sampson’s Square.
Modelling the Vikings
Create your own Viking peg doll as you re-use and re-cycle your way to creating a model masterpiece.
Poo Day!
Ah, York’s annual poo day. A moment when families can unite to enjoy the messier side of history. This year – make your very own replica Lloyds Bank Turd.
Viking Animal Steading: Birds of Prey
New for the 2018 festival – get up-close to the magnificent birds of prey the Vikings would have reared at this special event.
Meet the Vikings @ York Minster
Make your own Viking-style decoration to take home in the stunning surroundings of the Chapter House inside York Minster.
Murton Park Viking Experience
Visit the reconstructed Viking village, and take part in a multiple award winning Viking experience which is usually only available to school groups.
2,000 Years of History in 2,000 Steps
Learn about York’s historic streets and buildings from a different point of view. Starting from the city’s famous fortifications join your guide as they take you on a journey through history.
Family fun
Mission: Space
With Tim Peake’s spacecraft landed at the NRM, there’s a whole universe of space themed fun to be had. Try the astronaut training school, code a rocket launch and experience space descent courtesy of virtual reality (£6).
February Frolics
Piglets reopens for half term with Lambing Live, lots of activities in the play barn and dancing sheep on stage.
Votes For Women!
Discover the history of the fight for women’s right to vote at the museum this half term. Put on a sash (or opt for a policeman’s helmet!) and join the suffragettes on Kirkgate, the museum’s Victorian Street.
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BMX Night at The Zoo Skatepark
This is currently a one-off event – but if there’s enough interest it could become a regular night. Age 11+
Woodland Wanders: Mammal Detectives
Join a wander through the woods, looking for field signs to find out which mammals roam our woodland. Learn all about the mammals that live in the woodland, why this is an important habitat and what you can do to help look after it.
Behind the scenes tour
Join the conservation team on a rare tour to see what goes on behind closed doors at the historic hall.
Half term spy trail
Throughout the holiday budding secret agents can take part in the Eden Camp Spy Trail and be in with the chance of winning some special prizes.
Owl-themed activities
Everyone can enjoy the ‘oh wise owl’ art trail, a series of 14 sculptures in unexpected places and a further 20 artworks indoors. Search for the spring snowdrops. And on selected days, children can enjoy an owl story, plus make your own origami owl.
Feathery February
It’s all about birds at Nunnington, with a feathery friends’ garden trail to fat feeder and bird box making.
Windmill Open Day
Go visit to see inside this fascinating piece of our nation’s heritage – a working windmill.
WW2 Living History Weekend
The Axis-Allied group will be portraying the German and Italian Prisoners of War who were held at Eden Camp and across the country.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Take a journey along the 18-mile heritage line, explore one of the world’s greatest heritage railway experiences.
Stockeld Park
Half term activities include an outdoor skating rink, the enchanted forest, adventure playgrounds and a kids comedy show.
Arts, crafts and books
Women Artists Trail
Follow a trail to find works of art by leading female artists to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.
Create at the Castle
Family art, craft and cooking activities tying in with the museum’s suffragette exhibition.
A fun storytime session
Children’s author Sue Ellis will be reading from her new publication Proud Patrick Peacock & Other Stories.
Shadow puppet show and craft session
Hoglets Drama go on tour of York’s libraries with their shadow puppet show Wow Said the Owl. After each performance Mama Hoglet will be leading a craft session and teaching little ones to make their own shadow puppets and shows.
Reading with Jonnie Wild
Jonnie Wild will read from his lovely picture book, The Carnivorous Crocodile – can those clever flamingos outsmart the croc?
Little Diggers
Aimed at 2 – 5 year olds, these play and learn sessions have been designed specially for children to delve and discover the past in a fun way. Lots of Viking themed events this week.
Shows
Awful Auntie
From the award-winning West End producers of Gangsta Granny comes the world premiere of David Walliams’ amazing tale of frights, fights and friendship, featuring a very large owl, a very small ghost and a very awful Auntie…
Grandad’s Island
Benji Davies’s award winning book is brought magically and sensitively to life by the team behind Flat Stanley and Red Riding Hood.
Sister Act
Come and share your fabulous devotion and get ready to Raise Your Voice as we join disco queen of angels, Deloris Van Cartier, as she transforms from nightclub diva to full-time believer!
Sport
Diddikicks pre-school football coaching
Football coaching for children aged 18 months to five years.
York City football coaching
York City coach the tots (2-4 years old), the kickers (4-7), the juniors (7-12) and the wildcats (girls only 5-11). Learn new skills and play with others who love the game.
Half Term Tennis Camp
Sporting fun with the YTA. The camp focuses on athletic development as well as the technical, tactical and mental aspects of tennis training.
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