Easter is coming to York! Here’s our guide to things to do in York this Easter.
There’s a whole host of Easter fun coming to York and beyond for all the family to enjoy. Take a look at our full guide below. Are we missing your favourite? Let us know by dropping us a line at [email protected].
Things to do in York this Easter
Easter highlight
Easter Dino Fun and More at NYMR
Head to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for dino-mite fun this Easter – Saturday 5 April to Bank Holiday Monday 21 April!
With heritage trains running every day this Easter, you can step back in time and walk with dinosaurs. From fossil digs to meeting baby dinosaurs, giant dino eggs and more, there’s something for every explorer.
🦕 Meet the Baby Dinosaurs (18 – 21 April) – Follow the footprints to Goathland Station for a magical encounter!
🦴 Dino Dig – Budding palaeontologists can unearth hidden fossils at Pickering & Goathland Stations.
🎨 Make a Dino Footprint – Get creative and take home a clay dino print.
📸 Dino Egg Selfie Stations (18 – 21 April) – Strike a pose inside our giant dinosaur eggs.
- North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Pickering, YO18 7AJ
- Sat 5 – Mon 21 Apr
- 9am – 5pm
- More info
Don’t miss
Walled Garden Easter Trail at Castle Howard
Help the animal parents find their pesky babies! Badger, deer, owl, fox and their friends have lost their little ones, who have given them the slip in the Walled Garden. Help them reunite by finding each baby’s footprints and taking a rubbing to win a chocolatey prize.
- Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA
- Sat 5 – Sun 27 Apr
- 10am – 4pm
- More info
Charity Bed Push & Easter Weekend Fun in memory of Gary Burton
We’re coming together to remember Gary Burton, a very dear husband, amazing dad, special son and very dear friend to many, to raise vital funds to help buy a cuddle bed for St Leonard’s Hospice. The weekend starts by doing a 14 miles charity bed push, starting at St Leonard’s Hospice at 08.00 on Saturday 19th April, arriving at The Fenton Flyer in Church Fenton at approx. 17.00
Outdoor family fun over the weekend to include, live band, disco, face painting, hoop throwing, sponge splatting, sweet stall, cake stall, raffle, auction, children’s Easter activities, pool tournament, open mic to showcase talent (children and adults), Brass Monkey ice bath (if you dare!) and street food, ice creams and various cask beers available.
- Fenton Flyer, Church Fenton, Tadcaster LS24 9RF
- Sat 19 – Sun 20 Apr
- From 3pm Sat & from 10am Sun
- More info
Find the Golden Hares at Dreamery Gardens
Here in the Lost Fairy Gardens and Museum, deep in the woods amongst all the creatures magical hares reside. The hares spend their days in the woods and venture into the fields at night. Spot the hares around the trail. Some are staring skywards, in search of the moon. Enjoy the seasonal decorations and the early spring woodland…
- The Dreamery Gardens, Northwood, Sunley Hill, Muscoates Lane, Nunnington, York, YO62 5XQ
- From Sat 5 Apr
- 10am – 4pm
- More info
Easter Family-fun Activities at Eden Camp
This Easter school holiday, step back in time and enjoy a range of exciting, hands-on activities at Eden Camp! From wartime-inspired Easter treats to creative craft workshops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Join us from 5th to 21st April for an unforgettable blend of history, fun, and creativity!
- Eden Camp Modern History Museum, Malton, YO17 6RT
- Sat 5 – Mon 21 Apr
- 9am – 5pm
- More info
Bluey and Duggee at Flamingo Land
Meet Bluey & Bingo and say hello to Hey Duggee this Easter at Flamingo Land. Your child’s favourite characters will be making appearances throughout the day—don’t miss out! Make magical memories with your little ones at Flamingo Land Resort.
- Flamingo Land, Kirby Misperton, Malton, YO17 6UX
- Sat 5 – Sat 6 & Sat 19 – Sun 20 Apr
- Throughout the day
- More info
Easter Dragon Egg Hunt at The Hole in Wand
Whilst collecting Dragon Eggs to play Wizard Golf, our trainee sorcerer, Thalorin cast a teleportation spell to transport the eggs directly to The Hole in Wand, York. Unfortunately the spell went awry and the eggs have been scattered across 5 different locations in the city. You are tasked with locating the eggs, each displaying a letter, making up a secret word. Speak the magic word to our wizards at The Hole in Wand and, if you are correct, you will be presented with an Easter chocolate treat for your help.
Rather than appearing to you in its true dragon language form, each letter contains magic so that you can see and understand it. The hidden word will answer the question, what are the symbols called that dragons use in their alphabet instead of letters?
Can you find all 5 eggs and discover the secret word? Our Wizards are waiting to hear from you. Happy egg hunting!
- York city centre
- Sat 5 – Sun 20 Apr
- Throughout the day
- More info
The Magical Kingdom Adventure Easter Trail at Newby Hall
The Magical Kingdom is an exciting journey into the world of the King & Queen of the Fairies. In the Magical Kingdom audiences are immersed in a seasonal dilemma in which families meet the Rusticus Trees and embark on a quest to help the King & Queen of the Fairies to care for the natural world. Find the King & Queen in our Woodland Walk, they will show you the way, come rain or shine you are sure to have the most fabulously fun filled family day!
- Newby Hall, Ripon, HG4 5AE
- Fri 18 – Mon 21 Apr
- From 11:30am, last entry 2:30pm
- More info
Easter Egg-stravaganza at Piglets Adventure Farm
Join the ‘Great Easter Egg Hunt’, meet adorable Spring lambs, try bottle feeding, and explore acres of adventure play!
- Piglets Adventure Farm, Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, York YO32 9ST
- Sat 5 – Mon 21 Apr
- 10am – 5pm
- More info
Environmental Leadership Programme with Project: WILD
For young people aged 15-21. Young people are more disconnected from nature than ever, however general polls suggest that environmental challenges are a key interest and priority for those same young people. They understand that declining biodiversity is a significant problem and want to tackle it, accessing vast amounts of information about the challenges and solutions through social media, but most lack the knowledge, support and means to tackle the problem. The Environmental Leadership Programme aims to support these young people to be the change they wish to see, nurturing and developing their ideas with support from ecologists, key stakeholders and with financial backing to make them a reality.
- Skylark Centre, Park Ln, Barlow, Selby YO8 8JW
- Mon 7 – Fri 11 Apr
- TBC
- More info
Selby Bunny Hop Competition
Easter is just around the corner and YorkMix is thrilled to be hosting the first ever Selby Bunny Hop Competition! Free to enter – registration is on the day.
Adults, kids, & businesses this is open to everyone, come and show off your best bunny hop skills for a chance to win some amazing prizes including some Chocolate Eggs! There will also be free Easter Crafts and the usual Selby Market to browse around too.
- Market Place, Selby
- Mon 14 Apr
- 12-2pm
- More info
York Chocolate Festival
York Chocolate Festival is back!
- Parliament Street, York
- Wed 16 – Sun 20 Apr
- TBC
- More info
Family fun
Easter egg trail at Beningbrough
Make your way along the trail and find nature-inspired activities for the whole family. The trail takes place between 5 and 21 April 2025 from 10am – 5pm with the last chance to start the trail at 4pm, so come along and explore the beautiful gardens of Beningbrough.
There are 10 fun trail points to discover as you make your way around the garden. Race against the egg timer, test your throwing skills at the bean bag toss, feel different textures in the sensory boxes and peep through a magnifying glass as spring buds unfurl.
- Beningbrough, York, North Yorkshire, YO30 1DD
- Sat 5 – Mon 21 Apr
- 10am – 5pm
- More info
Easter Fun for the Whole Family at Door 84
Get ready for an egg-citing afternoon of family fun at Door 84 in York! Our Easter Event features:
- Easter Egg Hunt: A classic Easter activity, great for kids of all ages.
- Easter Themed Crafts: Get creative and make some festive crafts.
- Temporary Tattoos: Add a splash of fun to your Easter look.
- Tombola & Raffle: Win exciting prizes and support a local York charity.
- Food & Drinks: Enjoy savoury sandwiches, pasta, and tasty cakes.
- Kids Eat & Drink Free: A special treat for the little ones!
- Door 84 Youth & Community Centre, 84 Lowther Street, York, YO31 7LX
- Thu 17 Apr
- 1-5pm
- More info
A Georgian Easter at Fairfax House
Visit Fairfax House this Easter holiday and find our rooms beautifully dressed for the Spring season. You’ll step back in time and discover each room as if the Fairfaxes have just stepped out, leaving their world behind for you to explore.
Easter-themed activities for children:
- A Mischief of Mice – The Fairfax Mice have returned for the Spring season and have been up to no good stealing the Fairfax’s very special Easter eggs. Can you spot the mice and find all the eggs?
- Dress Like a Georgian – Donn fine frocks and breeches and step into the world of the 18th century with our fancy dress options.
- Fairfax House, Castlegate, York YO1 9RN
- Sat 5 – Sun 20 Apr
- 10am – 5pm
- More info
Family Easter Chocolate Experience
Looking for a unique experience this Easter? Join us for our family Easter Chocolate Experience. This fun filled hands-on workshop invites you and your child to explore the art of chocolate making. Creating your own chocolate masterpieces to take away!
Starting with a brief introduction and chocolate tasting, followed by a chance to get creative – Making your own chocolate lollies, chocolate drops, flakes and crisps before decorating an Easter egg to take away or devour on the spot.
- Carlton Towers, Carlton, DN14 9LZ
- Fri 11 Apr
- 10am – 1pm
- More info
Easter egg hunt at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
Make your way along the Easter adventure trail and find activities for the whole family. The trail takes place between Saturday 5 – Monday 21 April, from 10am – 3pm. You can still pick up your egg at any admission point until 4.30pm. Come along and explore the beautiful gardens and historic abbey ruins of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.
Pick up a trail sheet from Swanley Grange and experience the festivities of springtime and Easter through the ages. Immerse yourself with friends and family in games, races, crafts, dancing and the ultimate egg-stacle tournament all in a celebration of spring like no other. Visit the café to refuel for all your adventures and discover Easter decorations, books and more in the shop.
- Fountains, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3DY
- Sat 5 – Mon 21 Apr
- 10am – 3pm
- More info
Easter holiday fun at RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Our giant Easter egg hunt at RHS Harlow Carr has got even more egg-citing! This year, children have a special quest to solve as they search for brightly coloured eggs hidden around the garden. You can also enjoy story yoga, craft workshops and the Guess How Much I Love You™ garden adventure trail.
- Fountains, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3DY
- Sat 5 – Mon 21 Apr
- 10am – 5pm
- More info
Easter at Mother Shipton’s
Follow the White Rabbit’s Tunnel Trail to uncover CRACKING surprises and marvel at EGG-stravagant Easter scenes, some inspired by the fantastical world of Alice in Wonderland! Keep your eyes peeled for characters who are as Mad as Hatters, but be warned—the Queen of Hearts isn’t far behind!
- Mother Shipton’s Cave, Prophecy Lodge, High Bridge, Knaresborough, HG5 8DD
- Sat 5 – Mon 21 Apr
- 10am – 4pm
- More info
Easter at Murton Park
Murton Park will be filled with activities to usher in the spring spirit! We will have a trail that winds through the park, along with various garden games for everyone to enjoy. And that’s only the beginning—read on for all the details about the exciting happenings. And, no Easter celebration would be complete without adorable baby goats, rabbits, chicks, and lambs, and we have them all. Come and marvel at their cuteness!
- Murton Lane, Murton, York, YO19 5UF
- Sat 5 – Mon 21 Apr
- 10am – 4:30pm
- More info
The Web’s Easter Eggstravaganza
The Web’s Easter Eggstravaganza has so much fun packed in one ticket! Easter Egg Hunts, Meet our Bunny Brothers and Eggylmpics make this holiday egg’stra egg’citing! A jam-packed day of fun is guaranteed whatever the weather, included in your ticket will be: 10 Unlimited Fairground Rides, huge indoor and outdoor play, Laser Tag, Webbington Role Play Town, Giant Sand Pit, Tractor Area, Animal Encounters and more. PLUS Dazzling Darren is back with four amazing shows, with fun, games and magic for all the family!
- Web Adventure Park, Wigginton Road, York, YO32 2RH
- Sat 5 – Mon 21 Apr
- 9:30am – 6pm
- More info
Easter Adventures at William’s Den
Get ready for a fun-filled Easter at William’s Den! This April holidays, the Den will be buzzing with excitement, with so many activities to explore and adventures to enjoy.
- William’s Den, Castle Farm, Wold Hill, North Cave, HU15 2LS
- Sat 5 – Mon 21 Apr
- 9:30am – 5pm
- More info
Fab theatre
Fidget Theatre presents Pirate Bonnie
Fidget Theatre present a welcoming, music-filled new play for 4-8 year-old pirates and their families. Pirate Bonnie is looking for treasure-but no ordinary treasure, for she is no ordinary pirate. The treasures she seeks are stories, the long-lost stories of swashbuckling pirates. The audience are greeted by Bonnie and invited on board her ship to join the crew, set sail and discover treasures. Each treasure recovered is a forgotten legend of a real female pirate. Feel the rush of wind in the sails as Bonnie shares her treasure and sings the songs of pirates of old.
- York Explore Library and Archive, Library Square, York, YO1 7DS
- Tue 8 Apr
- 11am
- More info
The Princess and the Frog
Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess. She loved playing with her golden ball but one day she drops it in the pond. When a very friendly and very bouncy frog offers to retrieve it in exchange for her friendship, she is far from keen. But in the end the princess must agree to be his friend just to get her ball back. Slowly their friendship grows and the princess is rewarded in true fairytale style.
After sell out tours around the UK, Let’s All Dance Ballet Company is delighted to present this beautiful, classical ballet to charm audiences young and old. An original score, gorgeous costumes and crystal clear story-telling draw you into the magical world of ballet and make it accessible to all.
- Friargate Theatre, York, YO1 9SL
- Wed 9 Apr
- 1pm & 3pm
- More info
Story Craft Theatre presents The Case of the Missing Bunny
Join us at Mother GOOSE detective agency to go on a case like no other. This is an egg-tremely serious situation . . . it’s no yolk . . . .we must crack it . . . we shell crack it! We at Story Craft love a good twist, and our Easter show certainly takes you on a wild goose chase. Well Rabbit chase! This show brings together puppetry, problem-solving and game playing like no other. Our aim? To get everyone working together to solve the missing bunny dilemma.
- Multiple venues
- Mon 14 – Tue 15 Apr
- Multiple times
- More info
The Storm Whale
Noi lives with his Dad and six cats by the sea…One summer, while his Dad was busy at work, Noi rescued a little whale that washed up on the beach. A friendship began that changed their lives forever. The following winter his Dad takes one last trip in his fishing boat. Noi is alone once more and longs to see his friend again. He waits and watches, watches and waits…Will it take another storm to bring them back together?
Benji Davies’s tender and heart-warming stories of loneliness, love and courage are brought to life as one magical piece of theatre from the team behind Grandad’s Island.
- York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
- Tue 15 – Sat 19 Apr
- 10:30am & 1:30pm
- More info
Cracking crafts and workshops
Easter Masterclass at York’s Chocolate Story
Celebrate Easter with a fun-filled chocolate-making experience, perfect for the whole family! Get hands-on as you craft delicious chocolate treats to take home while creating sweet memories together.
- York’s Chocolate Story, King’s Square, York YO1 7LD
- Sat 5 – Sun 20 Apr
- Multiple times
- More info
Red Riding Hood: A Shadow Puppetry Workshop by Robin Simpson
Ever been interested in making your very own shadow-puppets? Using simple items that you’ll find around the house (or in the recycling bin) Storyteller Robin Simpson will lead an exciting workshop on how to do just that! After watching Robin tell the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, he will take you through the step-by-step process of making your own shadow theatre and puppets.
With easy to follow instructions, Robin can help you create characters and everything needed for your very own story. A wonderful way to spend an afternoon and kick off the holidays.
- Rise @ Bluebird Bakery, 201 Acomb Road, YO24 4HD
- Mon 7 Apr
- 4:30pm
- More info
Nature Adventurers Holiday Club
Join us for some fun springtime activities at St Nicks nature reserve. Learn new skills and meet new people. We’ll be based in the woodland – den building, fire lighting, using tools, making nature crafts, playing games, campfire cooking, learning about nature and plenty more. Campfire lunch (for example jacket potatoes, soup or toasted sandwiches with various fillings) and snacks will be provided.
- St Nicks – Nature Reserve & Environment Centre, Rawdon Avenue York YO10 3FW
- Tue 8 – Wed 9 Apr
- 10:00am – 12:30pm & 12:30pm – 3pm
- More info
Foss Fairy Trail Egg Painting
Spring is definitely on its way! On Easter Sunday 20th April, we will be at the picnic tables for anyone to come along and join us for egg painting.
- The Foss Fairy Trail, Heworth, York
- Sun 20 Apr
- 11am
- More info
More Easter delights
Guided Tour & Mini Easter Egg Truffle Rolling
Celebrate Easter in the sweetest way! Enjoy a Classic Guided Tour, followed by a hands-on truffle rolling experience that’s sure to delight your taste buds.
- York’s Chocolate Story, King’s Square, York YO1 7LD
- Sat 5 – Sun 20 Apr
- Multiple times
- More info
The Great Rune Hunt
Calling all Loki fans and treasure hunters! Get ready for The Great Rune Hunt – a free, interactive adventure trail running from April 7th to April 21st, 2025, across seven fantastic locations in York. This event celebrates the release of the newest book in Louie Stowell’s beloved Loki series and promises an exciting quest for adventurers of all ages.
Participants visit a selection of local venues, all within walking distance for young adventurers. At each location, you’ll find runes. Write down the rune letters as you explore the venues, and they will spell a special word—complete the trail to discover it!
- York city centre
- Mon 7 – Mon 21 Apr
- All day
- More info
Meet the lambs at Castle Howard
Meet baby lambs at Skelf Island Adventure Playground, reared by the Clifford family on the Estate. While you’re there, meet the farmer and learn about life on the estate – a lovely springtime experience for the whole family!
- Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA
- Sat 19 – Mon 21 Apr
- 10am – 4pm
- More info