A Date with History

Explore the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell, how ancient India transformed the world and a history of scandalous dance. Don’t miss a rollicking account of pirates’ codes.

Arts and Creativity

Experts discuss illuminated manuscripts, British Vogue and music/science partnerships. Take part in a bookbinding or dance workshop and view inspiring exhibitions.

Eoforwic: Anglian-era York

Find out how ancient DNA is helping us understand the movement of people in the early Middle Ages, and enjoy puzzles and Anglo-Saxon poetry and prose in the pub.

Evolving Society

Why not join us at our Festival Focus sessions to discuss creating a more equal society, and AI and the future of work? Don’t miss York’s colourful Pride celebrations.

Exploring York

Enjoy walking tours of the city on a variety of themes, learn about plans to address York’s deteriorating archaeological deposits, and hunt for medieval masons’ marks.

Fun for Families

Spark children’s imaginations with an exploration of space, an indoor archaeological dig or an interactive concert. Don’t miss our Michael Morpurgo Celebration Day.

Health and Wellbeing

Discover the benefits of singing and acting, strategies for tackling loneliness at work, and how early diagnosis and intervention can protect our vision and heart health.

Natural World

Take part in some balsam bashing on a guided nature walk, discover the alien microbes living in the Earth’s crust and hear from BBC Countryfile presenter Tom Heaps.

Of Women

Our speakers challenge prevailing myths around housework, reveal what a 17-century queen knew about daffodils in Africa and explore troubling biases in the legal system.

Performances

Enjoy an array of concerts, films and plays, including music from Rossini and Verdi, and Finnish acapella. Don’t miss OAE TOTS’ performances for children.

Power of Politics

The Guardian’s political sketch writer John Crace views politics through a humorous lens, while our expert panels take stock of European security and Trump’s second term.

Revealing the Ancient World

Learn how and why historical interpretations of Alexander the Great have changed in recent years and take an ancient tour of death and the afterlife.

Science and Technology

Find out how accidental discoveries have changed humanity, the wavy nature of nature and the secret of stem cells. Look out for Soapbox Science in the city centre.

The Mind and the Brain

Explore the wonders of the human mind and brain as experts discuss the phenomenon of nocturnal monsters and protecting the brain while healing hearts.

Way with Words

Step inside the TARDIS to discover how ideas emerge and survive or explore the history and future of print. Join us to discover the art of explanation and the power of words.

Watch again

Missed an event that sounded fantastic? Want to see a talk you enjoyed once more? Good news - we are recording many of our festival events. Watch these as well as previous years' content on our YouTube channel.