Fun, free and family-friendly, the York Residents’ Festival returns this weekend.
Organised by Make It York, this year’s festival includes more than 70 attractions, events and offers to enjoy – a record number.
Saturday January 30 and Sunday January 31
You will need a valid YorkCard, issued by York Explore for a yearly cost of £5 for adults (under 18s free). This year students can go free as well with York Student ID.
There are lots of bargains for residents too. Find out the shops offering discounts here and the food and drink offers here.
So are you ready to enjoy the freedom of the city? Here’s what’s on this year…
What’s new for 2016
York Army Museum
Completely revamped, the Tower Street museum tells the stories of British Army soldiers from 1685 to the present. And between 1pm-2pm on Saturday professional actors will bring the stories in the museum’s First World War Yorkshire Pals exhibition to life
Bitchdaughter Tower
The strangely named tower is opened for the first time by Friends of York Walls. Visitors will be able to see the small room with its brick arched roof and stone fireplace
An ancient York landmark with a very odd name opens for the first time
Victorian Ballroom at the De Grey Rooms
One of York’s hidden gems, the Victorian Ballroom is a stunning centrepiece of the De Grey Rooms in St Leonard’s Place. Now part of York Theatre Royal you can see some of the costumes from past productions, including those outrageous panto frocks
Jacobs Well
Jacobs Well has a fascinating history. Dating from medieval times the Trinity Lane building has been a private house, a pub and has had storeys added and taken away
Living history
York Castle Museum
Old favourite the Castle Museum will have a host of Victorian shopkeepers for the weekend, allowing visitors to explore more of the shops and learn about the businesses that thrived in York 100 years ago
York Guildhall
York Past & Present give you the opportunity to explore the Guildhall complex including: the Council Chamber, the previously unseen basement and the former council office spaces, together with the chance to see the emerging proposals for re-use of the complex as a business club
Barley Hall
The stunning medieval townhouse, once home to the Lord Mayor of York, welcomes you for ResFest 2016
Eden Camp
Housed in the grounds and buildings of an original World War II prisoner of war camp a visit to the unique and award winning museum will transport you back in time to experience life in the Second World War
York College at the Yorkshire Museum
York College Archaeology and History students are at the Yorkshire Museum, exploring everyday life in Roman York.
Find out about the Ivory Bangle Lady and how bones can inform archaeologists about people’s lives
Yorkshire Museum
Meanwhile the Yorkshire Museum itself is free to visit, with its collection spanning from the dinosaurs through the Romans and even some medieval bling
Roman Bath Museum
Not many pubs have a Roman bath house in their basement. See where the legionnaires would chill out and clean up, plus a dressing up corner for the kids
Holgate Windmill
Beautifully restored, York’s one surviving windmill still mills its own flour – and you can buy a bag on the way out
Fairfax House
Go behind the scenes to see Fairfax House during its deep-clean winter hibernation. Learn what makes this house tick and its history from Georgian times to its 20th century cinema
Beningbrough Hall
A chance to stroll round the marvellous Beningbrough Hall gardens, including the adventure playground, and explore the interactive galleries on the top floor of the house
York’s Chocolate Story
Residents can join one of three morning tours of the attraction dedicated to York’s chocolate each day. Yum
Cold War Bunker
This chilling reminder of the Cold War offers a fascinating insight into our recent past. Enter the blast-proof doors for a tour of what life would have been like in the nuclear winter
Richard III Experience
Forget all that nonsense about princes in the tower, Richard III was a good guy – at least according to the York folk around at the time of his reign. Find out more about the last Plantagenet monarch at Monk Bar
Henry VII Experience
Richard’s successor to the throne is championed in Micklegate Bar. Discover his impact on York and enjoy interactive experiences exploring life and death in Tudor times
Red Tower
Distinctively rendered in brick, the Red Tower on Foss Islands Road has a fascinating – and murderous – history from the time it was built in 1490 to the recent floods
Fishergate Postern Tower
The sturdy, square Fishergate Postern Tower goes back 500 years. Climb the narrow spiral staircase, find the garderobe, look for masons marks and maybe sponsor a stone…
DIG
Thirty-two places are available on a first-come, first-served basis with a tour of the archaeological attraction. There will also be special ‘Little Diggers’ sessions running throughout the weekend at DIG for ages 2-5
Clifford’s Tower
The recent controversy over plans to add a roof and visitor centre are a reminder of how important Clifford’s Tower is to the people of York. There are 100 free entry tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis
Merchant Taylors’ Hall
Is it really 600 years since they built Merchant Taylors Hall? Yes it is, and you can see what they’ve done with the place on Aldwark on Sunday
Churches
York Minster
York’s mother church includes the interactive York Minster Revealed attraction in the undercroft
Central Methodist Church
Now hidden away behind Stonebow, this 1840 church is well worth a visit. See the horseshoe shaped interior with gallery and box pews, and listen to the organ
All Saints North Street
Various tours are planned of the church during the day, including of the famous stained glass windows
All Saints Pavement
With a free lecture on the recently-installed Afghanistan window on Saturday, and an evening tour for students on the Sunday
St Martin’s Church
Climb the tower to see the clock mechanism and, if weather permits, see the Little Admiral close up. Numbers are limited by available space
St Denys’ Church
A day of hospitality, history, short talks, music & mini-performances “to entertain children and diverse groups from our wonderful neighbourhood”. Sounds lovely
St Saviourgate Unitarian Chapel
The unique meeting house on St Saviourgate dates back to 1692 and is the earliest load-bearing brick building in York
Music and theatre
Winter Folk Day
Informal afternoon and evening concerts featuring many of the talented local singers and bands associated with York’s award-winning Black Swan Folk Club
National Centre for Early Music
On the Saturday ‘Come And Sing’ at a social singing workshop aimed at everyone aged five and above. On Sunday, ‘Come And Play’ with the Golden Rail Band
Organists at St Helen’s Church
The York District Organists Association invite the public to come in to hear the organ, inspect it close up and “have a go” at playing
Choir at St Olave’s Church
It’s your chance to sing coronation anthems like Vivaldi’s Gloria and Handel’s Zadok The Priest with a choir and orchestra. Or just go along and listen
Joseph Rowntree Theatre
Behind the scenes tours, a children’s treasure hunt, and you can try on a selection of costumes and hats, kindly loaned by Dress Circle of York
Arts and crafts
York Art Gallery
A great chance to see York’s wonderful new art gallery after its £8 million transformation. Works by Lowry, Turner and Hockney are here, as well as the stunning ceramics on the mezzanine floor
The Stained Glass Centre
Try designing a window or painting on glass. Stained glass experts will be on hand for demonstrations and discussions
The Viking Loom
A weekend of creative demonstrations and taster sessions at our workshop. Try out sewing, quilting, card making, beading and more
Tours and walks
Free walking tour of York
Take a walk through centuries of York history with those knowledgeable folk from the Association of Voluntary Guides
City Sightseeing bus tour
We’ve all seen the tourists on the big red buses, now we can give them a whirl. Departing from Exhibition Square the City Sightseeing tours are a great way to see the city
YorkBoat
A 30-minute sightseeing cruise along the River Ouse. Just sit back and relax
York Historic Pub Walk
Learn more about York’s historic pubs, and the people who frequented them, on this 2½ hour walk
Ghost Trail Of York
Get ready to be spooked in your home city with these terrifically terrifying tales. Starts from York Minster
Sport and outdoors
St Nicks
Tours, activities, poems and birdwatching – they know how to pack in a full day’s entertainment at St Nick’s Environment Centre
York Cemetery
Explore the chapel and the catacombs, tour the cemetery and if you’re researching your family history, talk to the genealogists in the gatehouse
York MotorSports Village
Zip around the karting track for free if you are between four and eight years old, with discounts for older petrolheads. Booking is required and height restrictions apply
York City match – children go free
YCFC Foundation are giving children the opportunity to enjoy the thrills and excitement of a professional football match when York City FC host Stevenage Borough. Children get in for free with a paying adult (£19) when a valid YorkCard or York Student ID is shown
Further afield
International Centre for Birds of Prey
Visit Duncombe Park near Helmsley to see the largest collection of these wonderful birds in the North. Eagles, vultures, owls and hawks among them
Kirklees Light Railway
The Kirklees Light Railway offers a scenic journey through the beautiful South Pennine foothills. Also a café and play area
Howsham Mill
Now an education centre, the 18th century watermill is found in an area of outstanding beauty near Malton
Castle Howard
It’s just the estate that’s open, not the house – well, we say “just” but the Castle Howard parkland is, to use the official description, somewhat spiffing. No need to rush – the offer is on till Feb 7
Wild Harvest School
Based at a farm in East Cottingwith, the school is offering taster sessions in rural and natural crafts like rag rugging, leather work, candle making and willow star weaving
Abseiling with Lost Earth Adventures
Abseil down a vertical face at Brimham Rocks with Lost Earth Adventures. Minimum age: seven years old