Who’s looking forward to the weekend?
This weekend there’s plenty of fun to be had in York – with the return of charity beer festival Coptoberfest, spooktacular scares at Hallowscream, family fun at St Nick’s Autumn Fayre, a plethora of cracking comedy at Grand Opera House York, York Barbican and The Crescent, and much more.
What’s on in York this weekend, 11-13 October
Coptoberfest
Coptoberfest is back! Celebrating its 10th year, the charity beer festival will be serving 35 different local beers and lagers, with live music and food too. All proceeds from the festival will be going to charities and good causes.
- St. Giles’ Church, Copmanthorpe, York, YO23 3SE
- Thu 10 – Sat 12 Oct
- 6-10pm (Thu), 4-11pm (Fri), 1-11pm (Sat)
- More info
Hallowscream
Hallowscream is back for more scares! Winner of Best UK Scream Park, Hallowscream at York Maze is a terrifyingly entertaining night of fear and fun with 5 separate live-action haunted house attractions and over 100 actors. But be warned the frights aren’t limited to the haunted houses, roving characters and live stage shows add to the atmosphere.
- York Maze, York YO19 5LT
- Fri 11 Oct – Sat 2 Nov
- 6:30-11pm
- More info
October Finale 2024
Your last chance to visit York Races in 2024! The Friday offers a chance to catch up with friends whilst enjoying easy access to some of the best views and facilities on the turf. In recent years, Saturday has become one of the busiest weekend racedays of the month nationwide, so there continues to be a buzz about the grandstands.
- York Racecourse, Knavesmire Road, York, YO23 1EX
- Fri 11 – Sat 12 Oct
- From 11:15am
- More info
St Nick’s Autumn Fayre 2024
This year’s annual fundraiser will see a jam-packed afternoon celebrating local organisations and businesses who help make a difference for the planet, whilst enjoying nature’s harvest. There’ll be activities for all ages, everyone welcome!
- St Nicks – Nature Reserve & Environment Centre, Rawdon Ave, York YO10 3FW
- Sat 12 Oct
- 1-5pm
- More info
Rachel Parris: Poise
Rachel Parris is back with her biggest tour yet, presenting a dazzling new hour of her signature blend of stand-up and songs. The BAFTA-nominated comedian is best known for both her viral satirical segments on The Mash Report and Late Night Mash which have had over 100 million views, and as one of the founding cast members of the award-winning improv group Austentatious, who regularly perform to sold out crowds in London’s West End.
- Grand Opera House, Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW
- Sat 12 Oct
- 7:30pm
- More info
Fern Brady – I Gave You Milk To Drink
Scotland’s queen of comedy Fern Brady (Taskmaster, Live At The Apollo, Roast Battle, Russell Howard, The Last Leg) is back on tour with a brand new show!
- Grand Opera House, Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW
- Fri 11 Oct
- 7:30pm
- More info
Katherine Ryan: Battleaxe
TV’s beloved Katherine Ryan makes a hugely welcome return to the stage with her brand-new live show. Get your tickets now to see a true masterclass in how to enter your Battleaxe era.
- York Barbican, Paragon St, York, YO10 4AH
- Fri 11 Oct
- 8pm
- More info
Burning Duck Comedy: Kiri Pritchard-McLean
Star of Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You and QI Kiri Pritchard-McLean is back with a brand new tour, her funniest and most personal to date.
- The Crescent York, 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW
- Sun 13 Oct
- 7:30pm
- More info
The WOW Show with Jude Kelly
Join WOW – Women of the World’s Founder, acclaimed theatre director Jude Kelly, for an evening of optimism, determination and laughter. You’re invited to join the conversation as Jude explores our often exasperating and confusing journey towards gender equity, covering everything from money, sex, race, food, and ageing. Expect personal anecdotes, big ideas and lots of fun – with special guests Laura Bates and Kieran Yates.
- York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
- Sun 13 Oct
- 7:30pm
- More info
Halloween Storytime and Bath Bomb Workshop with Helena Garcia
Join Great British Bake Off star Helena Garcia for a reading of her lovely children’s book, ‘My Mummy is a Witch’, a wonderfully witchy story told through the eyes of a little witchling, followed by a crafty and hands-on bath bomb-making workshop for little ones. This lovely Halloween experience will take place in Castle Howard’s historic Grecian Hall, inside the main House. Your ticket includes access to the Gardens, including the award-winning Skelf Island Adventure Playground.
- Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA
- Sat 12 Oct
- 11am
- More info
York Board Game Convention
A three-day weekend of non-stop board games! This event is completely sold out but those lucky enough with a ticket will be playing board games old and new, eight exhibitors will be offering board games, gaming accessories, and more.
- Theatre@41, 41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB
- Fri 11 – Sun 13 Oct
- Various times
- More info
Chic to Chic
Chic to Chic goes to every length to capture the raw funk, soul and disco dynamics of Nile Rodgers’ music and bring it to life with a full 90 minute stage show. The energy-packed experience comes complete with costumes, fun crowd interaction and all of the trimmings that make a Chic to Chic live show so recognisable to Chic fans.
- Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road, York, YO31 8TA
- Sun 13 Oct
- 7:30pm
- More info
Irie Vibes 15th Birthday! w/ Wends & Friends
It’s birthday time, and it’s a big one! We are blessed to provide positive vibrations to York, and for all your support over the last 15 years! From merging the Cranky and Soulspun sound systems together bringing reggae and dub to the city; to evolving into the heavy Yorkshire-coloured House of Joy it is now; it’s been a journey and a half! To celebrate this very special occasion we have a crew down from Glasgow, Scotland, headed by the rising star: WENDS!
- The Crescent York, 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW
- Sat 12 Oct
- 8pm
- More info
The Shakespeare Jukebox
What could possibly be better than a Shakespeare play? How about all 37! Crew of Patches is proud to present ‘Shakespeare Jukebox’! The rules are simple – give us the name of a Shakespeare play, and we’ll do it…Well, a bit of it at least, even we don’t know every line of Shakespeare…With neither the actors nor the audience knowing what will come next, the Patches can guarantee history, comedy, tragedy and a whole lot of chaos along the way.
- Friargate Theatre, York, YO1 9SL
- Sat 12 Oct
- 7:30pm
- More info
Othello
Shakespeare’s immortal tragedy of love and jealousy brought to you by award-winning northern company Elysium TC in a dazzling new production. Cyprus is under threat from an invasion from the Turks. The Duke of Venice sends his best general, Othello the Moor, to defend the island in its hour of need. Othello is newly married to the young and beautiful Desdemona. Their love seems indestructible. But as the fate of Europe hangs in the balance Othello’s malevolent officer Iago has other plans. Determined to destroy his commander, he rips apart Othello’s love for Desdemona by sewing seeds of jealousy in his tortured mind.
- Theatre@41, 41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB
- Fri 11 Oct
- 7pm
- More info