Experience a Victorian extravaganza at York Castle Museum this summer.
Inspired by the vibrant and colourful Victorian galas of years gone by, visitors will enjoy live music, exciting street performances, seasonal crafts and interactive trails.
The museum’s famous Victorian Street, Kirkgate, will transform into a traditional summer scene from nineteenth century York – complete with colourful bunting and floral displays inspired by the Victorian ‘language of flowers’.
The varied summer programme includes live musical entertainment in the yard with performances of historical tunes, Phinneas Fickletickle returns for more new adventures with his Totally Tremendous Time-Travel Tincture, and there will be incredible circus skill performances from The Silly History Boys.
Dress-up and gala themed games also contribute to the summer programme, alongside poster printing and other daily crafts. There will also be edible flower demonstrations, crafty flower-making sessions, and bird of prey puppet workshops from Hoglets Theatre Company.
The museum’s new exhibition Art of Motion: Clockwork Toys and other Wonders, opening at the end of June 2025, will take visitors on a journey through the history of popular clockwork toys to some wonderfully whacky automata machines.
With interactive machines and the chance to get hands-on with Brio building sets and other activities, it’s an immersive experience for all ages and for everyone to enjoy.
Carla Starkey, immersive interpretation producer at York Museums Trust said, “The Victorian period experienced a huge growth in new types of leisure activities. So, this year we will be bringing Kirkgate and our outdoor spaces to life, capturing the bustle of a summer in Victorian York, through music, decorations, performances and smells.
“We are also delighted that our new display, Art of Motion, will provide visitors with the opportunity to get up close to the huge variety of mechanical machines, which were enjoyed by many from the Victorian period onwards and which can still be enjoyed today.”
Summer activities at York Castle Museum will run from Saturday 19 July to Sunday 31 August 2025.
To see the full programme of events and book your tickets, visit the York Castle Museum website.