Happy weekend everyone!
This weekend there’s the return of folk music festival The Magpies Festival, Outdoor Cinema at Castle Howard, a taste of Shakespeare with Sonnets at the Bar, meet some alpacas at the Goodness Farm open day – and much more.
Check out our summer guide below for more ideas of fun things to do in York.
Have a good one!
What’s on in York this weekend, 11-13 August
The Magpies Festival
The folk music festival The Magpies Festival returns to Sutton Park for 2023. Performing will be The Magpies themselves, Rachel Sermanni, Chris Difford, New York Brass Band – to name just a few. Also at the festival will be food and drink, market stalls, and family activities.
- Sutton Park, Main Street, Sutton on the Forest, York, YO61 1DP
- 11-12 Aug
- All day
- More info
Sonnets at the Bar
York Shakespeare Project brings Shakespeare sonnets to the secret garden at The Bar Convent. While sipping a complimentary drink, this year you can watch the comings and goings as the staff and guests at a hotel take a turn in its garden. Eavesdrop on the gossip! They may take you into their confidence – perhaps revealing more than they intend – and each will have a Shakespeare sonnet to share.
- The Bar Convent, 17 Blossom St, York YO24 1AQ
- 11-19 Aug
- Multiple times
- More info
Outdoor Cinema at Castle Howard
An outdoor cinema experience in the grounds of Castle Howard. There’s showings of Pretty Woman, The Gruffalo & Stick Man, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Elvis, Matilda the Musical, Grease, The Greatest Showman Sing-A-Long, and Top Gun Maverick.
- Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA
- 10-13 Aug
- Multiple times
- More info
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Goodness Farm Show Down
Join Goodness Farm for their open day and meet their alpacas, take a tour of the farm and see how and where their vegetables are grown, and more.
- Goodness Growing, Sheriff Hutton, York YO32 5TP
- 13 Aug
- 9am – 3pm
- More info
Circus Family Day at Thirsk Races
Circus Family Fun Day with performances from The National Festival Circus! An exciting day for the whole family, with endless amounts of free children’s entertainment. There’s performances from The National Festival Circus, face painting, balloon modelling, bouncy castles, helter skelters and fairground stalls.
- Thirsk Racecourse, Station Road, Thirsk, YO7 1QL
- 11 Aug
- From 11am
- More info
Summer Bee Festival
The Foss Fairy Trail are holding a festival to celebrate bees. Come along and enjoy the festivities! Learn about bee’s and join in with some fun activities!
- Foss Fairy Trail, A1036, Heworth, York YO31 8RP
- 12 Aug
- 1-3pm
- More info
New Earswick Nature Reserve Open Day
The general theme of the Open Day is Moths, Dragonflies and Bees. Discover different species of moths and find out the importance of moths to the eco-system, spot dragonflies across the water, and see a working honeycomb in action – and more.
- New Earswick Nature Reserve, Off 4TH, Alder Way, New Earswick, York
- 12 Aug
- 10:30am – 3pm
- More info
Falsettos
Falsettos is a sung-through musical by William Finn and James Lapine. The story centres on Marvin, who has left his wife and son to be with his male lover, Whizzer, and struggles to keep his family together in the way he has idealised. A beautiful and heart-breaking story exploring the definitions of maturity and masculinity through this non-traditional family as the AIDS pandemic comes to light.
- Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road, York, YO31 8TA
- 9-12 Aug
- 7:30pm, 2:30pm matinee
- More info
Wigginton Table Tennis Club 10th Anniversary Fun Day
This free event celebrating 10 years of the Wigginton Table Tennis Club includes fun table tennis-themed games, a fundraising tombola, cakes and drinks.
- Wigginton Recreation Hall, The Village, York YO32 2LL
- 13 Aug
- 11am – 4pm
- More info
Cooper King Tasting Experience at Spark
Join the founders of Cooper King Distillery on a voyage of discovery through a collection of rare and unique spirits, distilled from Yorkshire farmed and foraged ingredients. You’ll explore spirits developed with the region’s leading restaurants, including Skosh, The Black Swan at Oldstead and Roots York, alongside the distillery’s own sustainable spirits. Gain an exclusive insight into why these spirits were developed, how they were distilled, and most excitingly, what they taste like.
- Spark:York, 17—21 Piccadilly, York, YO1 9PB
- 11 Aug
- 6-8pm
- More info
Games Demonstrations at Waterstones York
Join in with this family-friendly showing of lots of cool and exciting games – whether you’re into Dobble, Zombie Kittens or Ticket to Ride, this is a showing you won’t want to miss.
- Waterstones York, 15 Coney St, York YO1 9QL
- 12 Aug
- 10am – 4pm
- More info
Women’s Memorial Day
Taking place in our Women’s Memorial Garden, this event will see a number of standards being paraded by members of various Service Associations, accompanied by a contingent from the Yorkshire Military Marching Band and Corps of Drums. This is a poignant occasion to honour and recognise the contribution of Women in the Armed Services from WWI to the present day.
- Yorkshire Air Museum, Halifax Way, Elvington, York YO41 4AU
- 13 Aug
- 10am – 5pm
- More info
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Elvington Large Model Airshow 2023
Come and see the largest and most impressive model aircraft in the country flying all weekend and a large selection of trade stalls.
- Elvington Airfield, Halifax Way York, YO41 4AU
- 12-13 Aug
- 8:30am – 5pm
- More info
Carlton K9 – Family Day Out
Over this August weekend, Carlton Towers invites you to our doggy day out, Carlton K9 event.
Set in our stunning grounds with the magnificent house as your backdrop, bring your pooch for a mooch and be educated by some fantastic demos happening throughout on both days.
Feeling energetic? “Have a go” at an agility course organised by Hazlehead Hounds Agility. They will also be showcasing throughout the day what there amazing dogs can do.
- Carlton Towers, Carlton, DN14 9LZ
- 12-13 Aug
- 10am – 4pm
- More info
Uncover York Central
At Uncovering York Central join us to discover what’s been found hiding underneath the site so far, come and meet the team, get the latest updates on York Central.
With photos and exhibits, a discovery sand pit and a chance to dress up as an engineer or an archaeologist, there’s fact finding fun for everyone.
- Sisk Induction Room, York Central Project Office, Leeman Road, York, YO26 4XD
- 11-12 Aug
- 3-7pm (Fri), 10am – 2pm (Sat)
- More info
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