Here’s what’s going on in York for the week ahead.
This week the show-stopping Hairspray is at the Grand Opera House York, music icon Adam Ant is at York Barbican, there’s a family-friendly Shambles Market Owl Trail, Live Pumpkin Carving on Parliament Street, and see children’s TV star Andy Day at York Theatre Royal.
This week also marks the October half term! Check out our Halloween and half term guide below for plenty of spooky fun happening in York and North Yorkshire.
What’s on in York this week: Sunday 27 October – Friday 1 November
All week
The Shambles Market Owl Trail
Discover ten uniquely designed owls, hiding in Shambles Market. Collect a checklist from the Visitor Information Centre on Parliament Street and see if you can spot them all. Make sure you return to the Visitor Information Centre to claim a trail sticker and a chance to win an amazing Wizarding prize!
- Shambles Market, York
- Mon 28 Oct – Fri 1 Nov
- All day
- More info
Hairspray The Musical
Join big hearted Tracy Turnblad and her new friends the spirited Seaweed and his sister Little Inez, heartthrob Link Larkin and the resolute Motormouth Maybelle as they strive to change the world. Hairspray has wowed audiences in The West End and on Broadway and still packs a punch with its message of tolerance and the fight against racial discrimination.
This fun-filled show is bursting with show-stopping numbers and dizzying dance routines, come and join the beat because just to sit still would be a crime!
- Grand Opera House York, Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW
- Mon 28 Oct – Sat 2 Nov
- 7:30pm, 2:30pm matinees
- More info
Wonder Boy
Sonny is twelve. Living with a stammer, he’s finding his way in a world ruled by vicious vowels, confusing consonants, and let’s not forget the biggest beast of them all – small talk. Sonny’s only friend is Captain Chatter, a comic book hero of his own creation, but in the real-world, language is power and Sonny must find a way to be heard. When cast in the school production of Hamlet by the Headteacher, he finds the real heroes are closer than he thinks.
Packed with playful humour, dazzling visuals and thrilling original music this innovative production includes live creative captioning on stage throughout.
- York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
- Tue 29 Oct – Sat 2 Nov
- Multiple times
- More info
Picasso at the Lapin Agile
On a not-so ordinary evening at the Lapin Agile, Montmartre’s iconic cabaret bar favoured by struggling artists, anarchists and intellectuals alike, two soon-to-be legends find themselves sitting next to each other. It turns out Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein, with egos as big as their intellects, have a lot to talk about. As the streets outside grow darker, the cafe is lit up with dizzying debate about the promise of the 20th century. But events take a surreal turn when a certain blue suede shoe-wearing singer from the future shows up…
American actor, writer and comedian, Steve Martin, plays fast and loose with history in this hilarious absurdist comedy.
- Theatre@41, 41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB
- Tue 29 Oct – Sat 2 Nov
- 7:30pm, 2:30pm Sat matinee
- More info
Tuesday 29 October
AOP’s New Spooky Spray Paint Workshop
Get your gloves on and grab some cans! We’re painting up some spooky scenery in this extended edition of our much-loved spray paint and stencil workshops, hosted by Art of Protest Projects at Spark, in York.
- Spark:York, 17-21 Piccadilly York YO1 9PB
- Tue 29 Oct
- 10:20am
- More info
Retro Gaming Takeover
Join us at Spark as we team up with Sore Thumb Retro Games to step back in time and relive the nostalgia of yesteryears! Get ready for an evening filled with pixelated adventures, button-mashing excitement, and a blast from the past that will transport you to the golden era of gaming.
- Spark:York, 17-21 Piccadilly York YO1 9PB
- Tue 29 Oct
- 7pm
- More info
The Cult 8424
The Cult are in York this week as part of their 40th anniversary tour. The Cult hold a significant place in musical history due to their pioneering use of post-punk, hard rock, and experimentalism, pushing boundaries and influencing countless bands across multiple genres. With their musical prowess, uncompromising attitude and captivating stage presence, they forged a distinct identity while charting new territory for bands to explore.
- York Barbican, Paragon St, York, YO10 4AH
- Tue 29 Oct
- 7pm
- More info
Relaxed Song Writing for Teens: Nature and Music
Explore the sounds of nature and turn them into music! Join musician and poet Laura Sutcliffe at York Explore a series of song writing workshops where we’ll create a unique group song inspired by the environment.
- York Explore Library and Archive, Library Square, York, YO1 7DS
- Tue 29 – Wed 30 Oct
- 11am – 3:30pm
- More info
The Chronicles of Atom and Luna
An epic fairytale by Murray Lachlan Young. Atom and Luna are twins. They never break any rules and never, ever go into the wood. But they are no ordinary twins. Atom and Luna are special. Atom can talk to the birds. Luna can control the moon. And now the forest is calling to them…So begins Atom & Luna’s journey, an adventure that will change their lives forever.
- Friargate Theatre, York, YO1 9SL
- Tue 29 – Wed 30 Oct
- Multiple times
- More info
Wednesday 30 October
Adam Ant
80’s legend Adam Ant returns to York Barbican! Performing his classic chart-topping hits and personal favourites.
- York Barbican, Paragon St, York, YO10 4AH
- Wed 30 Oct
- 7:30pm
- More info
Thursday 31 October
Live Pumpkin Carving
York BID and Make It York have partnered to celebrate Halloween with live pumpkin carving. Local design agency Sand In Your Eye will be creating the spooky masterpieces on Parliament Street. This is a free event with no tickets needed.
- Parliament Street, York
- Thu 31 Oct
- 2-5pm
- More info
Ghostly Gin Tasting
Fancy a ghost-inspired gin tasting in Europe’s most haunted city on Halloween? What could possibly go wrong? Especially as the next door pub is the most haunted in York! Fear not – our intrepid gin expert, Tim, is on hand to protect and guide you through a thoroughly haunting and delicious gin tasting and ghostly history lesson.
- York Gin, Pavement, York, YO1 9UP
- Thu 31 Oct
- 6:30pm
- More info
Snatched From Hell Vol. III: The Last Cabaret!
Bodie Snatcher presents, a night of burlesque, drag, cabaret and horror.
- The Crescent York, 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW
- Thu 31 Oct
- 7pm
- More info
Friday 1 November
Meet Dino Dad! With Andy Day & Steven Lenton
Join children’s TV superstar Andy Day and bestselling illustrator Steven Lenton for a fun-filled show to celebrate their new Dino Dad series and the second exciting instalment Dino Dad: Ice Age, published by Puffin Books. With music, quizzes and a live draw-along, the Dino Dad show is a must for any dino-lover.
- York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
- Fri 1 Nov
- 2:30pm
- More info
Paint & Sip with local Yorkshire Artist
A night out – with a difference! Unleash your inner artist at our Paint & Sip event, a fun and creative event where you can enjoy great company and a relaxing atmosphere. Led by a talented local Yorkshire artist, this 2-hour session is designed for all skill levels—whether you’re a seasoned painter or just looking to try something new.
- Polymath Bar, 21 Grape Lane, YO1 7UH
- Fri 1 Nov
- 6:30pm
- More info
Golden Rail Band 40th Anniversary Concert
York RI Golden Rail Band celebrate their 40th anniversary with this special concert showcasing their versatility and creativity. The popular York-based brass band are situated next to York Station, and the programme pays tribute to their railway connections, as well as telling an environmental themed original story through narration and music.
- National Centre For Early Music, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL
- Fri 1 Nov
- 7:30pm
- More info