All the fun of the fair, the joy of chocolate and a host of free activities for the kids – that’s the line up for York’s very first Easter Festival.
It gives people of every age an opportunity to emerge from behind their screens and have some fun IRL.
So what’s on? Roll up, roll up…
York city centre
Good Friday, Mar 25, to Easter Monday, Mar 28. The funfair runs till Apr 11
Free
More Easter holiday ideas in our What’s On guide
The funfair
Vintage fairground attractions, from Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, will be offering fun for children at St Sampson’s Square.
These include a beautifully restored train ride and old favourites such as Hook a Duck and Muffin the Mule.
Street food suppliers will sell tasty treats all along Parliament Street and there’ll be fun games and entertainment throughout the weekend.
Activity tent
Organised by the marvellous Little Vikings team, the activity tent is outside M&S on Parliament Street.
There are ongoing activities like face painting, viking crafts and a colouring competition to win a £100 Fenwick voucher.
The Jorvik Group will also be on hand with Viking activities and York’s Chocolate Story will have chocolatey games to get involved in.
Punch And Judy will be making guest appearances too.
And there are different planned activities running through the four days, including dance and drama, children’s rugby (definitely not just for boys), kids’ yoga adventures, storytelling, forest school with a twist and arts and crafts.
Here’s the timetable. No need to book, just drop in…
| Time | Host | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 10am-10.25am | Tatty Bumpkin | Yoga-inspired adventures with simple yoga movements, story and music for 3 to 5 year olds |
| 10.30am-10.55am | Tatty Bumpkin | Yoga-inspired adventures with simple yoga movements, story and music for 4 to 7 year olds |
| 11am | Reptile Rangers | See and learn about a range of cool reptiles |
| Noon | Rugbytots | Rugby-inspired sessions for kids (10-15 minutes long), perfect for active girls and boys aged 2 to 5 |
| 1pm | Pauline Quirke Academy | Comedy & drama sessions for kids aged 6 to 9 (approx) |
| 2.30pm | Tread the Boards | Dance, drama and singing sessions for kids |
| Time | Host | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 10am-noon | Pauline Quirke Academy | Comedy & drama for kids aged 10 to 12 (approx) |
| Noon | Tread the Boards | Dance, drama and singing sessions for kids |
| 2pm | Rugbytots | Rugby-inspired sessions for kids (10-15 minutes long), perfect for active girls and boys aged 2 to 5 |
| 3pm | Yorkshire Rose Academy of Dance | Street dance for kids aged 5 to 7 years (approx) |
| 3.30pm | Yorkshire Rose Academy of Dance | Street dance for kids aged 8 to 11 years (approx) |
| Time | Host | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 11am | En Pointe Dance | Demonstration aimed at all ages |
| Noon | Tread the Boards | Dance, drama and singing sessions for kids |
| 1.30pm-3pm | Pauline Quirke Academy | Poppets session for kids aged 3 to 5 (approx) |
| Time | Host | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 10am | Bushbabies | Forest school (with a twist) for kids aged 2 to 6 (approx) |
| 11am | Reptile Rangers | See and learn about a range of cool reptiles |
| Noon | Rugbytots | Rugby-inspired sessions for kids (10-15 minutes long), perfect for active girls and boys aged 2 to 5 |
| 1pm | Pauline Quirke Academy | Film & TV session for kids aged 6 to 12 approx |
| 2pm | Tread the Boards | Dance, drama and singing sessions for kids |
York Chocolate Festival
York’s Chocolate Festival returns as part of the Easter celebrations with a chocolate market and demonstration marquee on Parliament Street.
York Cocoa House will be setting up their Little Chocolate Factory in the festival demonstration tent each morning offering free Easter Lollipop making to festival goers.
Shambles Vintage Market
Sunday will see the Shambles market transformed into all things vintage and biking enthusiasts should love the display of vintage lambrettas, motorbikes, a vintage VW camper and jeep.
And adding to the vintage theme there’ll be songs from nostalgic singer Gina Rose, performing four sets throughout the day. Stalls will include vintage china, vinyl, furniture, clothing, cupcakes as well as recycled clothing.