York Easter guide 2017 – What’s on where for the school holidays
So much to do, see and eat this Easter holiday – including lots of chocolate.
Here’s what’s what and what’s where…
Return of the Vikings!
They’re big, they’re bushy, and they’re back! Jorvik Viking Centre reopens after its post-flood refit, and to celebrate Coppergate Square will be transformed for a Viking party. Look out for special combat demonstrations, experience dramatic retellings of the sagas, and join the games. Oh, and tour the all-new Jorvik centre of course.
Video and pix: Inside the all-new Jorvik Viking Centre
Family fun
York Easter Family Festival
Have some fun in the spring sunshine – and all for free, courtesy of the York Easter Family Festival. There’s the Little Vikings activity tent, funfair, petting zoo and Drax Dome on Parliament Street, and a Bunny Trail round Shambles Market.
York Minster activities
Lots of family fun at the Minster over the next two weeks. Find fun facts on a discovery tour, or make chicks and flowers at the craft workshops in the Chapter House.
Explore York libraries
Easter stories, sales and crafts are all taking place at various libraries in York for the holidays.
Murton Park’s Easter Extravaganza
Lots to see and do at Murton Park this holiday. Look out for the Easter bunny, dispensing chocolate eggs, there are Viking reenactors on site and a chance to ride the light railway.
See how Easter Eggs are made and try a sample in The Chocolate Factory, then make your own Easter basket to take home as part of the new experience Chocolate: York’s Sweet Past.
Easter at Beningbrough Hall
Beningbrough’s the place to be for exploring the outdoors. There’s a tiny things trek, where you look for the buds and bugs, planting and digging fun in the walled garden and the Easter weekend trail where you can explore and find a Cadbury chocolate prize.
Cadbury Easter weekend at Treasurer’s House
Climb the stairs to follow the indoor trail for a Cadbury sweet treat, and then head in to the garden for games on the lawn.
Medieval Marvels at Yorkshire Museum
Lots to do! Meet a medieval character to learn about life behind the walls of St Mary’s Abbey, create stunning ‘stained glass windows’ and discover the history behind medieval feasts.
Family fun at Holy Trinity
The beautiful Holy Trinity Church is the setting for these family activities. Go on an egg hunt round the churchyard – and then make your own bunny ears and nose to wear.
Picture Perfect at York Art Gallery
If you’re a fan of dressing up, hit the art gallery. Here you can dress as your favourite character from one of the artworks and follow a trail to win a sticker.
Trains and planes
Easter Family Fun at the NRM
National Railway Museum, Leeman Road
Daily till April 23
Entry is free, charge for some activities
Loads of fun activities for the whole family this Easter, including steam rides and The Missing Passenger, Case Files and the Rogues Gallery as part of the museum’s new Mystery on the Rails season.
The White Rabbit Trail
Explore the Easter trail at the air museum. Follow the white rabbit trail around the museum then collect your white chocolate rabbit at the end.
York Model Railway Show
There will around 40 working model railway layouts at this, the premier show of its kind in the north, plus more than 100 trade stands.
MG Car Club Daffodil Run
Each year, the MG Car Club enjoy their annual Daffodil Run across the Yorkshire countryside, finishing at the museum on Easter Sunday afternoon.
History fun
WWII Living History Bank Holiday Weekend
Re-enactment groups gather at the modern history theme museum to portray both Second World War troops and civilian life in the Forties.
Living History At The Hall
Volunteers at the medieval town house Barley Hall take you back in time, showcasing the life of servants from the late-medieval period.
Holgate Mill Open Day
See inside this fascinating piece of our nation’s heritage – and follow the clues on the Easter Trail to win a prize.
Chocolatey fun
York Chocolate Festival
It’s time to indulge yourself in a long weekend of chocolate this Easter. The city’s annual chocolate Festival returns with events across the city and a specialist Chocolate Market on St Sampson’s Square.
Easter: A Cracking Chocolate Adventure
York’s Chocolate Story, King’s Square
April 8-9 and 13-17
£7.95 per child, one free adult with each booking
Taking place in the beautiful surroundings of the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall; children will join Egbert on a quest to find his lost Easter eggs and defeat Sheldon the wicked stoat who is on a mission to steal Easter…
A very Terry Easter
Goddards, the former home of the Terry family, has some very chocolatey fun lined up including blindfold taste tests, chocolate box making and some chocolate orange cake in the dining room.
Terry & The Chocolate Orange
Head to Fairfax House for the story of chocolate and the Terry family in York. Find out how chocolate became popular in the 18th century and how chocolate is made.
Shopping
Easter Makers’ Market
This spring craft fair in Shambles Market will be selling unique works from local artists and crafters.
York Designer Outlet
St Nicholas Avenue, York, YO19 4TA
Apr 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20
Combine shopping with some family fun. Join Betsy bunny at the outlet’s south entrance for a host of free Easter craft activities.
Film time
Children’s films in Easter
City Screen’s family film season includes Trolls, Ballerina, Moana and Hop – a fun way to spend a morning.
Further afield
Easter Adventure at Stockeld Park
Stockeld Park’s adventure features an outdoor roller rink, maze, go karts and buccaneer boats, as well as chocolate and egg hunts.
Easter Farm Fun at Castle Howard
Castle Howard is bringing a pop-up petting farm to the estate, giving visitors of all ages the chance to get up close to their favourite farmyard friends.
Easter fun at Nunnington Hall
Over Easter weekend there’s a chance to build your own scarecrow, and the hall hosts an Easter egg hunt over the rest of the holiday.
Easter fun at Scampston Hall
Crafts, walks, an Easter market and a chance to meet Scamp’s fairy friends – it’s all going on at Scampston.
Brocken Spectre at Rievaulx Abbey
Over four nights Rievaulx Abbey will be transformed by artist Charles Monkhouse, to bring a unique sound and light spectacle to the ancient ruins.