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Things to do in York this May half term

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Photograph: Canva / Robert Kneschke

Summer is just around the corner – but first it’s May half term!

With a bank holiday weekend and half term in the same week, we hope that you’re able to have some rest and enjoy some sunshine (fingers crossed!)

We’ve put together a guide of what’s happening in York over half term – with the Malton Food Lovers Festival, family fun at Piglets Adventure Farm, the return of York Pride, and more.

Are we missing an event? Let us know by leaving a comment below or drop us a line at [email protected]

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Don’t miss

Malton Food Lovers Festival

Malton Food Lovers Festival is a celebration of Yorkshire’s finest produce & cooking. Expect artisan stalls, delicious street food, talks, tastings, celebrity chefs, demos, festival bar, live music and much, much more!

  • Malton town centre
  • 27-28 May
  • 9am – 6pm (Sat), 10am – 5pm (Sun)
  • More info

Mayhem Circus at Piglets Adventure Farm

Are you ready for the mischief and mayhem to begin? You’ll be amazed by gravity-defying stunts at the Lunar Circus, featuring Fatt Matt in the Big Top Tent. Take part in a brand new timetable of Animal Encounters and splash into action at The Beach as you explore exciting and interactive water features, and much more!

  • Piglets Adventure Farm, Towthorpe, York YO32 9ST
  • 27 May – 4 Jun
  • 10am – 5:30pm
  • More info

Outdoor storytelling at Beningbrough

Created just for Beningbrough is ‘The Adventures of Apple Pip’. Drop in sessions will be running throughout the day so drop into one that suits you. Stories Alive do exactly as they promise, expect a journey for the imagination with a unique piece crafted just for Beningbrough, mixing tall tales with the sights and sounds you can see all around you in the garden.

  • Beningbrough, York, North Yorkshire, YO30 1DD
  • 29 May
  • 10:30am – 4pm
  • More info

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Family fun

May half term at York Castle Museum

It’s all about imagination and play at York Castle Museum this half term! Enjoy our much loved museum with added ‘imagination’ stations positioned throughout, from creative craft activities to playful photo opportunities. Whether you’re taking a stroll on the cobbles of our Victorian Street, reminiscing in our 60s gallery or enjoying our fabulous fashion collections, there will be themed activities that’ll spark imagination for all ages to enjoy along the way! 

  • York Castle Museum, Eye of York, York, YO1 9RY
  • 27 May – 4 Jun
  • 10am – 5pm
  • More info

May half term at the Yorkshire Museum

Learn all about the Romans at the Yorkshire Museum this half term! Meet a real life Roman and listen to his stories, enjoy family friendly games and crafts and explore our latest exhibition ‘The Ryedale Hoard: A Roman Mystery’, featuring some of Yorkshire’s most significant Roman objects.  

  • Yorkshire Museum, Museum Gardens, York YO1 7FR
  • 27 May – 4 Jun
  • 10am – 5pm
  • More info

May half term at Yorkshire Air Museum

The Yorkshire Air Museum is laying on events for kids this half term. Children can climb inside the cockpits of a selection of aircraft – the Desert Storm Buccaneer, Harrier, Vampire, Jet Provost and Dragonfly helicopter. See and hear what it would be like to be a WW2 paratrooper in our Dakota, and find the Hidden Harriers around the Museum.

  • Yorkshire Air Museum, Halifax Way, Elvington, York YO41 4AU
  • 27 May – 4 Jun
  • 10am – 5pm
  • More info

May Half Term – The Women Who Made History

Did you know that the first schools for girls in this country were established by our religious order- the second in our house? All while having to hide their true identity because Catholicism was illegal!

Discover more about the trailblazing women of the Bar Convent story whose bravery and determination made history locally, nationally and around the world.

  • The Bar Convent Heritage Centre, 17 Blossom Street, York, YO24 1AQ
  • 27 May – 3 Jun
  • 10am – 4pm
  • More info

May half term at Mother Shipton’s

This May Half Term, gather all your SHIPmates and join us for an ARRRR-mazing expedition! Collect your Treasure Map and follow the clues to uncover hidden riches – once you get started you’ll be HOOKED!

  • Yorkshire Museum, Museum Gardens, York YO1 7FR
  • 27 May – 4 Jun
  • 10am – 5:30pm
  • More info

May half term at Murton Park

Join us for a nature-inspired May Half Term! There’s a scavenger hunt around the park, storytelling, craft sessions, sheep shearing demonstration, cowboys, and more.

  • Murton Park, Murton, York, YO19 5UF
  • 27 May – 4 Jun
  • 10am – 4:30pm
  • More info

William’s Spring Adventures

The Spring Adventures are coming and this time we go BIG! All of our usual activities, adventures and fun will be on offer. Plus for the first time, we welcome the biggest inflatable assault course in the North to the Den. Jump on ‘The 175’ and race along with your friends or take on Mum and Dad.

  • William’s Den, Castle Farm,, Wold Hill, North Cave, East Riding of Yorkshire HU15 2LS
  • 27 May – 4 Jun
  • 10am – 5pm
  • More info

York Pride

York Pride returns for 2023! The parade march will once again be seen through the streets of York before arriving at the Knavesmire for a day of community and celebration. The festival will include live performances, funfair, food and drink, and more.

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Shows, music, crafts

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie: Teen Edition

Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield… Jamie doesn’t quite fit in… Jamie is terrified about the future… Jamie is going to be a sensation! ​Everybody’s Talking About Jamie: Teen Edition follows Jamie’s journey, supported by his brilliant, loving mum and surrounded by his friends as he overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies, and steps out of the darkness into the spotlight on his journey to become at Drag Queen.

The Secret Life of a Garden – Story Craft Theatre production at Spark

Ever considered what it would be like to shrink down to the size of an ant and go on an awesome adventure in your very own garden!? We are delighted to announce that Story Craft Theatre are back at SPARK:York with a magical show packed full of fun and wonder. Along with the performance there will be craft making, game playing and music.

  • Spark:York, 17—21 Piccadilly, York, YO1 9PB
  • 29 May
  • 1pm & 2:30pm
  • More info

Spark Cinema Club: Finding Dory

Come join SPARK* Cinema Club for a unique film experience in York. Relax as we dim the lights on the big screen, raise an invisible curtain, and bring you a beautifully animated adventure, Finding Dory. Dive into a magical undersea world and follow the adorable Dory, the most forgetful fish in the ocean as she sets out to find her parents. Endearing, funny, and thought-provoking, this story reveals the true meaning of family and will captivate viewers of all ages! 

  • Spark:York, 17—21 Piccadilly, York, YO1 9PB
  • 30 May
  • 2-4pm
  • More info

Rocket Junk Modelling Workshop

This May half term, Emily and Rosie from Little Pickle Creatives are back at Spark to take your child on a cosmic adventure! We’ll be junk modelling our own space rocket, using lots of different junk materials such as empty food packets and cardboard boxes as well as tape, glue, and scissors. The little participants will plan and design their rocket at the start of the session and then get stuck into the construction process!

  • Spark:York, 17—21 Piccadilly, York, YO1 9PB
  • 31 May
  • 2-3pm
  • More info

Peter and the Wolf

Join brave young Peter as he overcomes his fear of a big bad wolf in Sergei Prokofiev’s classic Peter and the Wolf played on York Minster’s newly-refurbished Grand Organ.

Hear captivating instrumental characterisations of Peter’s animal friends as a live feed of the cathedral’s marvellous organ being played by Ben Morris, Assistant Director of Music at York Minster, is shown on screens to the audience. Using special stops on the organ, Ben will guide young listeners through the sounds of this magnificent instrument.

  • York Minster, Deangate, York, YO1 7HH
  • 31 May – 1 Jun
  • 7:30pm
  • More info

Ministry of Science

Join our presenters as they dive deep into the world of science and look at how science shapes the modern world we live in with a few loud bangs along the way!

They’ll take an anarchic approach to science communication whilst looking at the scientists, engineers and inventors who have shaped the modern world that we live in whilst proving that each and everyone of you have the ability to change our world for the better.

  • York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
  • 2 Jun
  • 6:30pm
  • More info

Arty owls

Get creative in this hands-on session in the May half term holidays. Drop in and make your very own owl decoration to take home.

  • Beningbrough, York, North Yorkshire, YO30 1DD
  • 31 May
  • 11am – 3pm
  • More info