Performances and films

Enjoy an evening of discovery with Gamelan Sekar Petak, Eoferwic Strings and the vocal group Animas as they explore how Javanese and Western instruments interact.

Explore the impact of air pollution on our health through talks and a special meditative musical performance by Sonic Threads.

Discover the important role of women’s voices in two collections of Finnish folk poems and songs, the Kalevala and Kanteletar in the company of acapella choir Enkelit.

Enjoy a live performance of an experimental, multi-media composition based on the mathematics used to crack the enigma code during World War II.

Enjoy a mesmerising programme of poetry and music inspired by our beautiful countryside presented by renowned children’s author Michael Morpurgo.

Join us in the beorsele or beer-hall of the Duke of York pub for an evening of beer and Anglo-Saxon poetry.

Enjoy watching a concert-style musical and learn more about the innovative bioscience research being carried out at the University of York.

Find out how Jessie’s Fund is playing an important role in giving children access to music therapy and creative music-making through a talk, film clips and performance.

York Pride returns to the Knavesmire with a vibrant afternoon of entertainment and family-friendly activities. Why not come along and celebrate inclusivity and diversity?

Enjoy a Playback Theatre performance which takes its inspiration from the histories of disabled people in York and encourages attendees to share their own stories from 2025.

Yorkshire Bach Choir presents Rossini’s final, powerful choral work filled with flair, faith and joyful musicality.

Enjoy a performance by one of the UK’s most exciting folk acts. BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner Sam Kelly leads the powerhouse band The Lost Boys.

Enjoy an enchanting story full of magic spells and much mischief at a fun-filled interactive concert with OAE TOTS.

Join Daniel Cook, Master of Choristers and Organist of Durham Cathedral, as he demonstrates the power and versatility of the magnificent 1959 Walker organ.

Take a journey through the magical forest to the Fairy Queen’s party at a delightful family concert by OAE TOTS.

Sax Forte returns to the Festival with an entertaining programme that includes a brief history of the saxophone and a demonstration of the four different pitched instruments.

Internationally acclaimed guitar virtuoso Galina Vale - La Diva de la Guitarra - returns to St Helen’s Church with a new programme of classical, flamenco and folk guitar music.

Come along to St Olave’s Church to celebrate all things time related. Enjoy a series of short talks during the day, and poetry and music presented by Navigators Art & Performance in the evening.

Navigators Art presents an inspiring programme of original music, spoken word and comedy by local performers.

York Musical Society (YMS) invites you to enjoy all the beauty and drama of Verdi’s Requiem in the magnificent surroundings of York Minster.

Discover the benefits of community singing and acting at an event combining speaking/singing performance, documentary footage of singing groups and live analysis of vocal recordings.

Throughout time, there have been stories of people being visited or attacked by nocturnal monsters. How can modern science help us to understand this cultural history? Join psychologist Dan Denis.

Enjoy a filmed performance of Clay Fever and accompanying talk with pottery handling by York Museums Trust curator Helen Walsh and playwright Bridget Foreman.

In 1983, civil servants role-played the descent into nuclear conflict. Join us for dramatised extracts from the WINTEX-CIMEX document and an expert discussion panel.