Who’s looking forward to the weekend?
The York Food & Drink Festival is back for 10 days of culinary delights, the Ghosts in the Gardens returns for spooky fun, Little Women starts at York Theatre Royal, there’s epic inflatable chaos with the York Inflatable 5k, and much more.
Take a look below!
What’s on in York this weekend, 20-22 September
York Food & Drink Festival
The York Food Festival is back this weekend! Get ready for 10 days of culinary delights, street food, taste trails, exciting workshops, local chefs, live music and family fun. Check out our guide to 17 of the tastiest highlights of the festival here.
- Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square
- Fri 20 – Sun 29 Sep
- Multiple times
- More info
Assize of Ale
The assize is taken from a medieval custom whereby the Sheriff would summon their people to visit the ale houses in the city and taste the ale to ensure it was palatable. The Sheriff of York will make a proclamation to start the traditional event, and they will be joined by YorkMix, Owl Adventures, The Town Crier, York Guard and Waits before heading off on pre-selected routes around the city visiting ‘ale houses’. The event will conclude at York Mansion House for a fish and chip supper.
- Start from St Helen’s Square
- Sat 21 Sep
- 2-7:30pm
- More info
Little Women
A stunning retelling of a timeless classic from York Theatre Royal – join us this autumn for a new production of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. One of the best loved novels of all time, Little Women tells the story of headstrong Jo March and her sisters Meg, Beth and Amy as they grow up in New England during the American Civil War. An uplifting coming-of-age story, Anne-Marie Casey’s adaptation brings a fresh new take on the beloved novel set in a time of war and great uncertainty.
- York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
- Sat 21 Sep – Sat 12 Oct
- Multiple times
- More info
Ghosts in the Gardens
York BID has again partnered with local design agency Unconventional Design to create translucent 3D sculptures skillfully formed from narrow gauge wire mesh. This year’s display is set to be bigger and better than ever, with 45 ghosts to discover in some of the city’s beautiful public gardens and green spaces.
- Multiple locations
- Sat 21 Sep – Tue 5 Nov
- All day
- More info
Live for St Leonard’s
Live For St Leonard’s is organised by York BID in partnership with YorkMix and sponsored by York City Cruises. The exciting event is part of York Food & Drink Festival, featuring nine days of live music entertainment from stages based in Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square.
- Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square
- Fri 20 – Sat 28 Sep
- 5-9pm
- More info
50th Anniversary York Beer & Cider Festival 2024
The 50th Anniversary York Beer & Cider Festival returns to the spectacular surroundings of St Lawrence Parish Church. There will still be more beers and ciders than anywhere else in Yorkshire with over 200 available plus wines; prosecco; meads and spirits plus soft drinks and food vendors.
- St Lawrence Parish Church, Lawrence Street, York, YO10 3WP
- Wed 18 – Sat 21 Sep
- Multiple times
- More info
5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche
It’s 1956 and The Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein are having their annual quiche breakfast. As the assembled “widows” await the announcement of the society’s prize-winning quiche, the atomic bomb sirens sound! Has the Communist threat come to pass? How will the “widows” respond as their idyllic town and lifestyle faces attacks? 5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche is a tasty recipe of hysterical laughs and innuendos, unsuccessful repressions, and delicious discoveries.
- Theatre@41, 41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB
- Thu 19 – Sat 21 Sep
- 7:30pm
- More info
York Inflatable 5k
Get ready to bounce your way through The World’s biggest and most epic Inflatable 5K Obstacle Course! For 2024 there are three additional brand new obstacles, meaning you will tackle 32 gigantic obstacles on the 5K distance. Combined with five pumping music zones to motivate you around the course, this year’s Inflatable 5K is the most epic yet!
- York Racecourse, York, YO23 1EX
- Sat 21 Sep
- 9am – 2:30pm
- More info
York Printmakers Fair
The Autumn Print Fair includes two exhibitions with hundreds of original prints. Many of the printmakers will be there to chat about their work, and share their enthusiasm about printmaking. 25 of York Printmakers members will be taking part, all making original prints in different styles and techniques. If you are looking for an original present for yourself or somebody else, cards and prints will be on sale, with prices ranging from £2 to £300.
- The Chapel and Harriet Room at York Cemetery, Cemetery Road, York YO10 5AJ
- Sat 21 – Sun 22 Sep
- 10am – 5pm
- More info
The Crescent Record Fair
A small fair with a great selection of vinyl records of many genres. 8 stallholders with lots of collectable and rare LPs and 45s and loads of bargains.
- The Crescent York, 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW
- Sun 22 Sep
- 11am – 3pm
- More info
School of Rock
This weekend is your last chance to catch York Stage’s School of Rock! Based on the iconic movie, School of Rock follows Dewey Finn, a failed rock star who is faking it as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. But instead of teaching the students the alphabet or math, Dewey leads them to become the most awesome rock band ever. Read our review here.
- Grand Opera House York, Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW
- Fri 13 – Sat 21 Sep
- Multiple times
- More info
Tony Cragg at Castle Howard
This weekend is your last chance to see this special exhibition at Castle Howard. The exhibition by internationally renowned artist Sir Tony Cragg includes several large-scale sculptures in the Gardens, as well as sculptures and works on paper in the historic rooms of the House.
- Grand Opera House York, Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW
- Fri 13 – Sat 21 Sep
- Multiple times
- More info
Music Night with Don Pears and Friends
Focusing on York legend Don Pears’ musical range and experience, this music night will bring to the stage songs from hit American musicals and movies. Accompanied by choir, Singphonia and other well known local musicians, enjoy hits from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Carol King, Neil Sedaka, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel and Simon and Garfunkel, and movies such as New York, New York, The Greatest Showman, An Officer and a Gentleman and many more!
- Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road, York, YO31 8TA
- Fri 13 – Sat 21 Sep
- Multiple times
- More info
Acomb Artisan Market
Join us for our monthly artisan market on this popular high street. Filled with 30 artisan traders, there is something for everyone.
- Front Street, Acomb, York
- Sat 21 Sep
- 10am
- More info
The Halls Of Ridiculous
The Halls Of Ridiculous bring a breath of fresh air to the UK comedy scene, combining lightning-fast improvised comedy with high-octane character sketches. But here’s the twist – every bit of hilarity is conjured up on the spot, fuelled by the audience’s suggestions, ideas, and occasionally, wonderfully weird imaginations.
- The Black Swan Inn, York, YO1 7PR
- Fri 20 Sep
- 8pm
- More info
Giant Antique & Collectors Fair
A fabulous fair at the world famous York Racecourse with up to 250 stalls spanning two floors. A great selection of stalls, buying and selling ceramics, jewellery, glass, coins, militaria, gold, silver, small furniture and much more!
- York Racecourse, Knavesmire Road, York YO23 1EX
- Sun 22 Sep
- 9am – 4pm
- More info