York’s legendary free ghost trail returns this autumn – and this year there’s a spooky new event that can only be accessed once darkness falls…
Ghosts In The Gardens has been captivating visitors and residents alike since 2021.
This year there’ll be 45 ghosts to track down across the city, between Saturday 21 September to Tuesday 5 November.
York BID has partnered with local design agency Unconventional Design for the fourth year to create the semi-translucent 3D sculptures out of wire mesh.
Figures to find this year include a highwayman – and a bear that escaped from the Museum Gardens menagerie in the early 1800s!
Eagle eyed viewers will spot six new ghosts including a female stone mason at the Church of Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, inspired by Mary Ann Fisher, who worked as a mason in the early 1800s.
There are new locations for the ghosts too, including the bar walls, St Olave’s Church and York Station.
New event
This year, fans of Ghosts in the Gardens can also enjoy an exciting new event, Ghosts After Dark.
This will see all 45 ghostly sculptures – plus an exclusive new piece – brought together in the beautiful York Museum Gardens, for four nights only.
The event runs from 7 to 10 November from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Every night, young and old will get the chance to explore York Museum Gardens after dark and see all the unique ghostly sculptures, dynamically lit against an atmospheric background of smoke and sound.
There will also be six ghost storytelling areas. Experts in the supernatural will share stories to thrill and chill, with a mix of classic tales and previously unheard stories.
Watch this space for storyteller announcements!
Admission is by ticket only. Standard tickets can be purchased at £7.50 whilst tickets for under 16s are just £1.
You can buy them online here.
The event is delivered by York BID in partnership with York Museums Trust. Operations manager at the BID Carl Alsop said: “We’re extremely excited to introduce Ghosts After Dark this autumn, as a ticketed sister event to our popular Ghosts in the Gardens project that will return in September.
“Ghosts After Dark is a unique chance to see all sculptures in one atmospheric environment, with entertaining storytelling areas and all-important photo opportunities.
“With ever-increasing prices for family-friendly attractions, this is set to be a great value experience for everyone, and we’re committed to supporting local businesses during the colder winter months.”
Siona Mackelworth, head of communications and marketing at York Museums Trust, said: “We have welcomed York BID’s ‘Ghosts in the Gardens’ for several years and the trail has proved to be a huge hit with visitors to our spaces and online.
“So, we are delighted to be hosting this fabulous new way to engage with the Ghosts After Dark. This is a great partnership initiative with York BID, organisations and storytellers across the city to welcome visitors to experience another aspect of this amazing city.”