Happy weekend everyone.
This weekend join us for plenty of racing excitement and family fun with the YorkMix Family Raceday! There’s also the return of arts festival Fangfest, a celebration of history and culture with Heritage Open Days, comedian Milton Jones is at the Grand Opera House, and much more.
Take a look at what’s in store in York this weekend in our guide below.
What’s on in York this weekend, 6-8 September
YorkMix Family Raceday
The YorkMix Family Raceday is back – join us for a fabulous day of family fun, racing excitement, and a special appearance from TV star Bluey! The raceday features a seven-race thoroughbred card approaching £250,000 in prize money and plenty of children’s entertainment like giant inflatables and zorb football in the ‘Entertainment Marquee’.
Take a look at our guide to the day with everything you need to know here >>
- York Racecourse, Knavesmire Road, York, YO23 1EX
- Sun 8 Sep
- From 11:15am
- More info
Fangfest
The annual festival of practical arts returns to Fangfoss this weekend! Local creatives and businesses come together to celebrate arts and crafts, and there are plenty of workshops and drop in sessions to get involved in. There is also busking happening on the Village Green during the festival with performers raising money for local charities, and a refreshments tent to grab a drink or bite to eat too.
- Fangfoss, York
- Sat 7 – Sun 8 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- More info
GO Outdoors York Store Opening Celebration
Join us for a weekend of fun for the whole family, with some of your favourite brands, outdoor enthusiasts and brand ambassadors attending, with lots of vouchers and goodie bags up for grabs, and plenty of entertainment going on. YorkMix will also be there on Saturday so come and say hello!
- Vangarde Shopping Park York, Vangarde Way, Huntington, York YO32 9AE
- Sat 7 – Sun 8 Sep
- 9am – 5pm
- More info
Heritage Open Days
England’s largest festival of history and culture is back! The free festival aims to celebrate our fantastic history and culture and is a chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences. Take a look to our guide to see where you can visit in and around York for free here >>
- Various locations
- Fri 6 – Sun 15 Sep
- Various times
- More info
Milton Jones
This is not a musical. Milton Jones is tone deaf and has no sense of rhythm, but at least he doesn’t make a song and dance about it. He has more important things to discuss. Like giraffes…and there’s a bit about tomatoes. You might know him from Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo or Radio 4. A whole new show of daftness.
- Grand Opera House York, Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW
- Sat 7 Sep
- 7:30pm
- More info
Ladies’ Day at Thirsk Races
It’s time for the BresBet Ladies Day! Enjoy live music by the bandstand and some quality racing on the track. Dress your best for a chance to win fabulous prizes from their exciting partners Rudding Park, Harrogate.
- Thirsk Racecourse, Station Road, Thirsk, YO7 1QL
- Sat 7 Sep
- From 11am
- More info
Dinosaur Experience in York
Dinosaurs are taking over York this Saturday! With the help of York BID and the Dinosaur Experience, meet adorable baby dinosaurs and Jurassic giants in the city centre. The police and fire service will also be there with visitors getting the chance to check out their emergency vehicles.
- Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square
- Sat 7 Sep
- 2-6pm
- More info
National Treasures: Monet in York ‘The Water-Lily Pond’
This weekend is your last chance to see Monet’s ‘The Water-Lily Pond’ at York Art Gallery – in a major exhibition to mark the 200th anniversary of the National Gallery. ‘The Water-Lily Pond’ is featured alongside a large-scale commission by contemporary artist Michaela Yearwood-Dan, and collection works.
- York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square, York, YO1 7EW
- Fri 10 May – Sun 8 Sep
- 10am – 5pm
- More info
Will Young
Multi-award-winning British pop star and actor Will Young is back with a forthcoming ninth studio album, “Light It Up”. To celebrate the new album, Will is embarking on his most intimate tour yet – taking shape as an up close and personal evening of acoustic performances, stories and conversation.
- Grand Opera House York, Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW
- Sun 8 Sep
- 7pm
- More info
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory…but only to a lucky few. Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination including chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels and the great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonka’s army of curious Oompa-Loompas.
- Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road, YO31 8TA
- Thu 5 – Sun 8 Sep
- 7:30pm, 2:30pm Sat & Sun matinees
- More info
Fire Station Open Day and Coffee Morning
Acomb Fire Station are holding an open day this Saturday. They’ll be opening the doors and inviting the public to look around and sit on the fire engines. Ambulance and police vehicles will be making an appearance too. Tea, coffee, juice and biscuits will be available with any money raised getting donated to charity.
- Acomb Fire Station, Boroughbridge Rd, Acomb, York YO26 5SH
- Sat 7 Sep
- 10:30am – 12:30pm
- More info
Captain Mustache Beard & Mustache Competition
Captain Mustache will have the privilege of assembling some of the best Beards & Moustaches, both from the UK and internationally for a new annual Beard Competition… There 11 categories for you to enter, in various sizes & styles of Beards & Moustaches including adult & children’s fake Beard category.
- The Crescent York, 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW
- Sat 7 Sep
- 12-11pm
- More info
The Pink Pony Club – LGBTQIA+ Night
Welcome to Plush’s Pink Pony Club! On the first Friday of every month, we will be hosting a queer night. A safe space for everyone in the community (& allies) to be themselves and socialise. Free entry, with cakes, cocktails and coffee available to buy.
- Plush Café, 6 Stonegate, York YO1 8AS
- Fri 6 Sep
- 6-9:30pm
- More info
All Services Parade and Service of Remembrance
The museum’s largest event invites veterans from all services and generations to take part in the parade and service. We invite you to join us in a long awaited commemoration of all of those who have fought for our freedom today. Following the parade and remembrance service, visitors will have the chance to talk to veterans about their experiences from conflicts throughout history.
- Eden Camp Modern History Museum, Malton, YO17 6RT
- Sun 8 Sep
- 10am – 5pm
- More info
Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club
Comedy Club is back at The Basement! Get ready for a night of laughs with Daliso Chaponda, Joshua Robertson, Jon Capewell, and Damion Larkin.
- The Basement, 13-17 Coney St, York YO1 9QL
- Sat 7 Sep
- 8pm
- More info
Auto Italia Car Day at Carlton Towers
Auto Italia are back for 2024 and if you are a car enthusiast or simply looking for a family fun day out, come along to Carlton Towers to see an exciting celebration of Italian cars.
- Carlton Towers, Carlton, DN14 9LZ
- Sun 8 Sep
- 10am – 4pm
- More info
London City Ballet: Resurgence
After an absence of almost 30 years, the company returns to stages across the world with a sublime programme of ballet and contemporary dance. Featuring a fantastic, international company of dancers, this comeback production includes acclaimed works including the revival of Kenneth MacMillan’s 1972 one-act ballet Ballade unseen in Europe for over fifty years.
- York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
- Fri 6 – Sat 7 Sep
- 7:30pm, 2:30pm Sat matinee
- More info
Olivia Graham: An Evening in Avalon
Join local Celtic folk musician Olivia Graham for a spellbinding evening of enchanting music, masterfully woven through the tales of Morgan Le Fay and other legendary figures from across the British Isles.
- Theatre@41, 41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB
- Fri 6 Sep
- 7:30pm
- More info
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Wrap up the summer with This is My Theatre’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The woods outside Athens are busy this night. Four young Athenian lovers are lost. Oberon and Titania, the king and queen of the fairy-folk, are quarrelling whilst a group of craftsmen (who also happen to be some not-so-very-talented actors) are meeting in secret to rehearse their play.
With its many parts, Shakespeare’s story of love, mistaken identity and magic has remained popular with audiences across the world. Our critically acclaimed production returns this Summer to delight audiences again!
- Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF
- Fri 6 Sep
- 5pm & 7:45pm
- More info