York Easter guide 2016 – What’s on where for the school holidays

** Looking for the 2017 Easter guide? You’ll find it here **

If ever there was an excuse for eating your own bodyweight in chocolate while wearing bunny ears, this is it.

So, let’s get out there and enjoy the Easter fun (while we can still fit through the door).

Family fun

Easter Explorers

Young adventurers can borrow Little Explorer backpacks to find out more about the 800-year old cathedral’s awe-inspiring features, while young readers can relax with a range of books from the story chest in St Nicholas’ Chapel.

In addition, on March 30 and April 6, families can enjoy Easter bonnet and basket making sessions, Easter-themed storytelling and tours of the cathedral.

The Great Dahl Hunt

Strange mischief is afoot at York Explore. Some Roald Dahl characters have escaped from their books and are wandering where they shouldn’t. Can you help find them? (We’ll handle Willy Wonka if you deal with Miss Trunchbull)

Vintage Funfair

Let the kids enjoy some good old-fashioned fun this Easter by taking a tiny trip on a beautifully restored train ride and chancing their arm on two games stalls.

Easter Eggstravaganza at Murton Park

Lots to do in the fresh air as the Yorkshire Farming Museum reopens at Murton. Easter egg trails, historic re-enactors and the Derwent Valley Light Railway among the fun activities.

Gorgeous Gwendolen Goose

Join author and former York teacher Sue Ellis as she reads from her new book, Gorgeous Gwendolen Goose & Other Stories, which she hopes will inspire youngsters to become the best version of themselves.

Egg and spoon race

Ooh, an egg and spoon obstacle course in the exercise yard – just imagine how many family arguments you can start with that. Seriously though: no gluing, no pushing and no crying if you’re beaten by a four-year-old

The Bar Convent Easter Trail

The historic convent reopens after its Easter break with its Easter trail. Follow it to the end, get all the questions right, and win a chocolate prize.

Knights of the Wobbly Table

Children’s author Karen Langtree reads her new book Knights of the Wobbly Table at a medieval-themed storytime and crafts session. Dressing up is optional but very welcome.

Bunny hunt

Join the hunt for Bunny to win a Cadbury chocolate bunny, decorate an egg to try and win a prize in the art workshop (1-3pm), and see who can beat the rest of the family in the egg and spoon races.

Cadbury Easter hunt weekend

Climb the stairs to follow the indoor family trail for a Cadbury sweet treat or head into the garden for games on the lawn.

The Selfish Giant

Small people (aged 5-7) are invited to take part in a workshop based on Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant, with role-playing, games, music and crafts.

Air and rail

Flying Scotsman and more

We’ve seen Flying Scotsman on the tracks, now climb aboard as part of the Stunts Speeds and Style exhibition at the NRM.

This is one of several new activities at the museum, including performances by the Platform 4 Theatre, and the immersive Service With Style experience, which is £8.

York Model Railway Show

If you prefer your trains in a more manageable size, there are more than 100 stands and around 40 layouts at the annual model railway show – a fixture in York since 1962.

Thunder Day at Yorkshire Air Museum

Hear the mighty roar of the Yorkshire Air Museum’s magnificent flying machines, as their engines come to life for the first time in 2016. Includes great names like Victor, Nimrod and Dakota.

Also running through the holidays and beyond is the museum’s new exhibition dedicated to airships – Gas Bags to Super Zeppelins.

History

WWII Living History Weekend

Groups of Second World War re-enactors are at Eden Camp. They will be portraying British and German troops as well as civilians, and it’s all very authentic.

The Barley Hall Servants – Living History at the Hall

Volunteers from the Barley Hall Servants return to offer an extra treat for visitors, with living history showcasing the life of servants from the late medieval period.

Holgate Mill open days

A chance to see the renovated windmill in action, and ask the knowledgable volunteers questions. Buy some freshly ground flour or other windmill merchandise too.

Shopping

Shambles Vintage Market

Roll back the years with vintage vocalist Gina Rose, performing songs inspired by the Andrews Sisters; York Inset Scooter Club’s display of classic scooters; vintage china from Willacy Whimsys; and a host of recycled, upcycled and pure vintage clothes and furniture.

Good Friday Farmers’ Market

Start the abstemious Easter weekend as you mean to go on with steaks, eggs and cakes (and perhaps a tiny bit of chocolate) from the very best York producers.

Easter at McArthurGlen

Take a short break from spending shed-loads of money with an animal trail, colouring competitions and a ride in the Kiddy Kabs.

All children will receive an animal trail activity book which, if they spot the animals in store windows, will give them a chance to win a bag of Cadbury chocolate treats.

Film time

The Railway Children

Grab a carton of popcorn as big as a coal bucket and settle down to watch a special screening of York Theatre Royal’s Olivier Award-winning version of The Railway Children, filmed last summer at the National Railway Museum.

Filmed with seven cameras by an expert team, who navigate the unique staging including moving platforms, props and rail carts, the film captures every moment of the fast-paced production.

Frozen Fever

Anna, Elsa and Olaf (if you don’t know who they are, we’re not telling you) return to the screen in a special screening of Frozen Fever.

Before the five-minute film, there’s a 40 minute, interactive stage performance with the Snow Queen and friends inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s classic tale.

Night At The Museum

What happens when Yorkshire museum closes for the evening? Do the exhibits come to life and run amok? Well, here’s your chance to find out.

After watching the Ben Stiller movie Night At The Museum, you can follow clues round the museum to see what surprises might be in store.

Batman

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Batman the Movie with the man in black himself, his sidekick Robin and special guests Joker, Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman.

There’s an interactive performance before the film where you’ll be challenged to solve riddles and fight a shark. Feel free to dress up (preferably as a Batman character).

Running wild

Great Sunflower Challenge

Pop in to the library over Easter and pick up a free packet of sunflower seeds so you can enter the children’s challenge to grow the tallest in the city. Grow on, you know you want to.

Animal Trail

Paws for thought as you take part in an animal-themed trail around the museum and gardens. Apparently, there’s a ‘small prize’ up for grabs. Intriguing.

Go wild at Holy Trinity Church

There are dozens of birds, creatures and creepy crawlies just waiting to be discovered at Holy Trinity. You can then take away your newfound knowledge (and a handy activity pack) to go on your own mini safari at home.

Animals In Prehistoric Yorkshire

Join one of the museum’s curators for a family-friendly talk about some of the more surprising animals that used to roam the Yorkshire landscape. We’ve got our fingers crossed for elephants and penguins.

Crafty

Design an Easter Egg

The Easter bunny has left lots of eggs, all ready to be embellished with paint, glitter and all manner of crafty doohickeys. Join a decorating workshops and design your own egg to take home.

Studio Drop-in: Flowers & Birds

Celebrate the coming of spring (surely it should be here by now?) by making paper and string birds inspired by York artist Mark Hearld and by adding a few frivolous flowers to a giant herbaceous border.

Eggciting Easter Stories & Crafts

Easter fun and frivolity that will undoubtedly include bunnies and glitter at some point. Which is never a bad thing.

Early Years Explorers: 1960s

Welcome to the Sixties! Try to explain what on earth was going on in the 1960s to children aged two to five years old through songs, stories, games and craft activities.

Mosaic Madness

Help artist Kirstie Briggs Bateman create a modern version of the Four Seasons mosaic as part of a drop-in activity that’ll lead to a new community artwork for the museum.

Children and Adult Easter sewing school

Bugweed’s sewing school and Cakes d’Licious have joined forces for an Easter activity day for children and adults. Come along to a sewing machine session with your child and each make an Easter bunny.

Chocolate!

York Chocolate Festival

York is the home of chocolate (Kitkat anyone? Or maybe a segment – just one! – of Chocolate Orange?) so it’s only right that the city goes confectionery crazy for Easter.

Head to York Chocolate Festival and you’ll find a chocolate market, chocolate workshops, events and demonstrations by local chefs and chocolatiers.

Chocolate!

Learn how to temper and mould chocolate before painting your creation and taking it home (as if you’re not going to eat it as soon as you hit the street).

In a special new addition, the Cocoa House is hosting its first Good Friday Supper (Mar 25, 7pm, £25.50), which begins with sharing plates and dark chocolate sourdough then moves on to a traditional fish dish and concludes with a golden egg (which may or may not contain chocolate).

Terry’s Chocfest

Have a go at doing the Chocolate Orange trail or find out more about the Terry chocolate business in the 10-minute bite sized talks. Make chocolate boxes and enjoy a stroll in the garden overlooking the chocolate factory.

Easter Trail

Follow the tricky Easter Trail around the museum and enter your name in a prize draw competition with a special chocolate egg for the winner.

Further afield

Fun Fair

Roll up, roll up for all the fun of the fair with traditional rides, games, chair-o-planes, swing boats, a helter-skelter (ooh, we love a helter-skelter) and big wheel.

There are also giant decorated Easter eggs hidden around the grounds and mischief with Molly the Rabbit.

Happy birthday Beningbrough!

With a diverse history of prosperity, loss and reinvention, ranging from the dreams of a wealthy teenager, to tenants paying just £1 a week, this exhibition is a great chance to find out what made Beningbrough what it is today. Uncover the stories through special displays and portraits around the garden and hall.

Easter Adventures

From roller-skating to go-karts, climbing ropes to getting lost (in a maze), there’s tonnes of Easter fun to be had at Stockeld Park, near Wetherby.

As if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a giant egg hunt, Easter Bunny Show and a petting farm.

Easter Trail

Children are invited to take part in an Easter trail around the magnificent grounds of the hall, solving clues while exploring the extensive gardens. Once the conundrum has been solved, every child will receive an Easter treat.

Spring at Harewood

Meet the latest additions to the Harewood animal family – rabbits, baby guinea pigs, pygmy goats and more – alongside old favourites like penguins and flamingos.