See the city like never before in these guided walks and tours – as part of York Residents’ Festival 2025.
The annual festival, organised by Make It York, aims to give a thank you to residents who share the city with York’s millions of visitors throughout the year – with a whole host of free events, offers, and discounts available.
York Residents’ Festival is on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 January 2025.
We’ve put together a guide of all the guided walks and tours that are taking part in this year’s York ResFest.
Discover the hidden history of York’s cobbled streets, take a look behind the scenes of some of the city’s attractions, and journey through breath-taking landscapes – with historical walks, pub walks, theatre tours, and much more.
Take a look at the full list of offers at the Visit York website.
How to take part
To take advantage of the offers, please present a valid York Card, student card or identity card that proves your York residency. If presenting an identity card, this must clearly state ‘York’ (e.g. driving licence or older person’s bus pass).
The York Card is available to all who live or work within the York area. The York Card costs £6 for adult residents or £10 for non-residents who work in the city, and free to children and young people up to the age of 18. It’s valid for 12 months and is available to purchase as a digital card online or at any Explore library.
See individual listings for more information, including pre-booking information. Some venues have limited free tickets and operate on a first come first serve basis.
Guided walks and tours
All Saints North Street
25 Jan
For York Residents’ Weekend, we are offering two free tours of the stunning historic church of All Saints North Street. Please just turn up to join the tour – no booking required.
- All Saints North Street, York, YO1 6JD
- No booking required
- More info
Bar Convent
25 Jan
50p entrance fee for all York residents to explore the UK’s oldest living convent, established in secret in 1686 when Catholicism was illegal.
FREE guided tours will also be available on Saturday (25th) starting at 10am, 11.30am and 2pm leaving from the Atrium and lasting approximately 40 minutes. The tour will tell The Bar Convent’s fascinating history, show stunning architecture and tell the inspirational story of the Sisters who established an illegal convent and pioneered education for women.
- The Bar Convent, 17 Blossom Street, York, YO24 1AQ
- No booking required
- More info
Historic Pub Walking Tour
25-26 Jan
SOLD OUT. Discover the history of York’s beer & pub heritage and much more by taking a guided walk through York City Centre. Each walk covers the history of approx. 10 pubs as well as the centuries of events, people (and spirits) associated with them.
- York city centre
- Booking required
- More info
Joseph Rowntree Theatre
26 Jan
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes then the theatre is opening its doors during York Residents’ Festival. Guided tours of the theatre – which is entirely run by volunteers – will take place every hour from 10.00am to 3.00pm, including a look at the dressing rooms and other back-stage areas which normally remain hidden from the theatre-going public.
- Haxby Road, York, YO31 8TA
- No booking required
- More info
Mountain Goat Tours
25-26 Jan
Discover the hidden gems of the Yorkshire Dales with our exclusive minibus tour, now available at an incredible 50% off for local residents! Our experienced guides will take you on a journey through breath-taking landscapes, quaint villages, and rich history that make this region truly special. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the Yorkshire like never before and create memories that will last a lifetime.
- Meet at Minster Yard, York, YO1 7HH
- Booking required – use code RES50
- More info
Photographic Tour of Victorian York
25 Jan
SOLD OUT. Following the popularity of last year’s York Residents’ Festival walk, Dr Simon Rogerson is back with a new Photographic Tour of Victorian York. Simon will lead participants on a picturesque stroll down Micklegate and into the heart of the city, showing how dramatically some parts of York – and how little others – have changed since Victorian times.
- Tour will begin outside Micklegate Bar, at 3 Blossom Street
- Booking required
- More info
A Prehistoric Tour of York
26 Jan
SOLD OUT. Go back billions of years without leaving the cobbled streets of York city centre! Guided by Earth scientist Dr Liam Herringshaw, we’ll uncover the rocks and fossils hiding in York’s historic streets, with a splash of Ice Age geography and Roman archaeology thrown in for good measure.
- Tour will begin outside the Yorkshire Museum in Museum Gardens
- Booking required
- More info
A True Crime Walk in York
24-25 Jan
The Polite Tourist is offering York residents the opportunity to walk awhile with The Lady Brigante. For those of a curious and hardy temperament – why not come along and listen to The Lady Brigante as she shares with you the tales of those ordinary folk who have ALL been lost to history – until now!
- Meet at Kings Square, York YO1 8BH
- Booking required
- More info
Wizard Walk of York
25-26 Jan
Free tickets for York residents. Spellbinding magic, comedy and five-star family fun on York’s ONLY regular tour created for families with children! Tickets allocated on a first come first served basis for the Saturday 1.30pm or Sunday 1.30pm tour only.
- Meet at the bottom of the Shambles, by the railings of St Crux Churchyard
- Booking required – email [email protected] to book
- More info
York Historical Gems Tour & A Taste Of York Chocolate
25-26 Jan
20% off. Want to see the best of York? You are in for a cultural (and tasty) treat! Join your eccentric character guide and get an up-close walking tour experience of the city and its delightful hidden gems. York is a marvellously mysterious place, and you are going to experience it at its best. So, get ready; culture, history, heritage, and best kept secrets await on this character led walking tour.
- Meet at Davygate Graveyard
- Booking required – use code WT20
- More info
York Theatre Royal
25 Jan
SOLD OUT. York Theatre Royal will be once again throwing open our doors to welcome local people to join us for a free tour to find out more about the fascinating history of theatre in York, discover the secrets of our backstage world and learn more about our building.
- York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
- Booking required
- More info
Yorkshire Heart Vineyard
26 Jan
We are offering a free short tour of the vineyard and winery on the hour of 11am, 12 noon, and 1pm. We will also have a tasting table, where you can taste through our range of wines and beers.
- The Vineyard, Pool lane, Nun Monkton, York, YO26 8EJ.
- Booking recommended
- More info
York Witches & History Walking Tour
25-26 Jan
10% Off York Witches & History Walking Tour. Join your characterful witch guide and hear the true historical tales of suspected Yorkshire witches across the ages. Delve into fascinating pieces of York’s history along the way too; secrets of St Crux Church, York Minster, Petergate, Swinegate and so very much more await on this character led walking tour.
- Meet at the Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate Street Sign
- Booking required – use code ENTHRAL10
- More info