In-person events

Join us in celebrating the rich and diverse community of postgraduate performers at the University of York, showcasing a selection of their outstanding work from across the year.

A pre-festival event not to be missed: University Choir and Symphony Orchestra join forces with The 24 in the stunning setting of York Minster to provide a spectacular finale to their 2025/26 season.

Join us at the Firefly Festival for a celebration of performance and theatre presented by students from the University of York’s School of Arts and Creative Technologies.

Join us at the Firefly Festival for a celebration of performance and theatre presented by students from the University of York’s School of Arts and Creative Technologies.

Join us at the Firefly Festival for a celebration of performance and theatre presented by students from the University of York’s School of Arts and Creative Technologies.

Join us at the Firefly Festival for a celebration of performance and theatre presented by students from the University of York’s School of Arts and Creative Technologies.

All aboard for a day of high-speed discovery at the National Railway Museum! From the magic of the Victorian era to the tech of tomorrow, we’re bringing the rails to life.

Join us at the Firefly Festival for a celebration of performance and theatre presented by students from the University of York’s School of Arts and Creative Technologies.

Join us at the Firefly Festival for a celebration of performance and theatre presented by students from the University of York’s School of Arts and Creative Technologies.

Join three of the most sought-after talents on the UK folk circuit - John McCusker, Sam Kelly and Toby Shaer - for a performance deeply rooted in tradition, yet bursting with innovation.

From humble paper baubles to high-fashion runways and soft robotics, paper engineer Darryl Bedford reveals that a simple sheet of paper is a gateway to infinite possibilities.

Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of 3D animation, motion capture and storytelling in a series of interactive family-friendly demonstrations and workshops with XR Stories.

Join our expert speakers as they explore the complex causes and dramatic consequences of the invasions and regime change of 1066. How was Norman power imposed on England, particularly in the north?

What should children eat and why? Discover how childhood and food have shaped each other through history – and still do – with writers Deborah Albon and Amy Palmer.

Help researchers reimagine school toilets at our interactive, family-friendly event. Step into life-size cardboard toilet cubicles and graffiti your thoughts, and build Lego models of your perfect loo.

Join Sian Williams, broadcast journalist and counselling psychologist, for tips, expert research and stories from those who’ve learnt how to ride the worry wave to thrive.

Unlock the structural magic of the humble pleat. Join Kirigami artist and educator Darryl Bedford for an immersive, hands-on workshop dedicated to the art of pleated paper.

Come along and join the fabulous Pride Parade March from York Minster through the city centre streets to the Knavesmire.

As our society ages, questions of how we care for our loved ones are more urgent than ever. Join authors Caleb Klaces and JT Welsch for a vital, compassionate conversation about navigating the ‘final chapters’ and the ethics of care in later life

In Finnish mythology, lintukoto describes a paradise-like place at the far edge of the world. Meet Henna Asikainen, the artist behind an installation that reinterprets this myth for the Anthropocene - a time of ecological collapse and displacement.

Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of 3D animation, motion capture and storytelling in a series of interactive family-friendly demonstrations and workshops with XR Stories.

Join organist Robert Sharpe for a recital celebrating the baroque splendour and intimacy of the Buxtehude and JS Bach, followed by an in-conversation event with composer Philip Moore and Choral Evensong

Historian and broadcaster Anna Whitelock offers a panoramic history of the arrival of the Stuarts, revealing how the reign of King James I saw England reach new corners of the globe.

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?

Join Jonathan Brockbank of the University of York as he explores two fictional responses to the bombardment of Scarborough in 1914 - Osbert Sitwell's Before the Bombardment and Winifred Holtby's The Crowded Streets.

What exactly happens in the therapy room between client and therapist? Retired psychotherapist Michael Guilding lifts the lid on the process of counselling and psychotherapy.

Obstetrician James Drife explores the history of maternity care from the era of untrained midwives through to the introduction of national maternity care and beyond.

Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of 3D animation, motion capture and storytelling in a series of interactive family-friendly demonstrations and workshops with XR Stories.

Go behind the scenes of the Channel 5 drama All Creatures Great and Small with its Script Executive Donna Metcalfe and the series’ historical consultant Mark Roodhouse.

Discover the impact of art as a form of protest at an event highlighting gender-based violence. Join Melissa Chacón and Harriet Gray of the University of York and Mora Fernández of La Casa Mandarina, Mexico City.

Join psychologist Karisha George and find out how to turn setbacks into superpowers, transforming past experiences into the confidence you need to boldly take up space.

Join historian Jane Draycott as she reclaims the life story of Fulvia, one of the most powerful women of the late Roman Republic.

Join British Museum curator Rachel King and discover the Tudor Heart, a unique 24-carat-gold pendant linked to Henry VIII and his first wife Katherine of Aragon.

Join us for a special screening of the documentary film Rave on for the Avon, a powerful exploration of people’s deep connections to rivers, followed by a panel discussion.

Join Navigators Art and a range of local talent in an eclectic programme of music and words celebrating the beauty, peace and wild inspiration of the garden.

Join award-winning journalist and presenter Clive Myrie as he discusses his deeply personal journey filming the BBC series African Adventure.

Follow in the pioneering footsteps of volcanologist Tempest Anderson (1846-1913) as Tempest's Volcano Trail brings urban volcanology to the historic streets of York on this guided walk.

Take part in a guided walk and help us celebrate the launch of the reactivated University of York Campus Tree Trail.

Help us celebrate the launch of the reactivated University of York Campus Tree Trail, where the trees come alive with folklore, history, ecology, music and poetry. Enjoy a self-guided walk, hands-on activities and stories.

How do decision makers decide what the NHS should pay for new medicines? What factors are likely to influence the price? Find out with researchers from York Health Economics Consortium.

With a new series of Riot Women in production, BAFTA-winning creator Sally Wainwright discusses the origins of the hit BBC drama. Join her in conversation with award-winning journalist Emma Barnett.

Join theoretical physicist Patricia Ribes Metidieri of the University of York as she reveals the fascinating links between the origins of our cosmos and the frontiers of quantum technology.

Do popular films nail psychology, or is it just movie magic? Join expert researchers for a deep dive into some well-known films as they unpack the real science of emotion, memory and behaviour.

Discover the art of bookbinding at an inspiring hands-on workshop dedicated to mindful making. Make space for creativity and join conservators Catherine Firth and Emma Lloyd-Jones.

Join historian Katherine Harvey for a fresh look at medieval wellness as she sheds light on the practical and surprisingly relatable ways medieval individuals cared for body and mind.

Discover more about the life and legacy of pioneering volcanologist Tempest Anderson and learn about the latest research into volcanoes with Rebecca Williams of the University of Hull.

Join us for a guided walk through York as we commemorate spaces where queer folk used to meet, chat, dance and organise.

Discover how gardens support memories, identity and social connections through a talk and exhibition sharing the ‘garden stories’ of people living with dementia at home.

Enjoy a visual celebration of our perception of the cosmos across centuries and cultures with broadcaster and collector Dallas Campbell.

Peel back the layers of York’s hidden history with archaeologist John Creighton and discover what ground penetrating radar has revealed about the evolution of York.

In 1939, Sutton Hoo revealed a ghostly 27m ship imprint in the sand. Martin Carver, Director of Research at Sutton Hoo, explores the reconstruction of this 7th-century vessel and planned trials to put it back on the water.

In Finnish mythology, lintukoto describes a paradise-like place at the far edge of the world. This installation asks what lintukoto might mean in the Anthropocene - a time of ecological collapse, displacement and political instability.

What is sound heritage and why does it matter? Join Mariana J López of the University of York as she introduces methods for studying the sounds of the past and explains its role in creating immersive museum and online experiences.

Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned tap dancer, why not come along and have a go at a tap-dancing lesson with York Rhythm Tap?

Join James Ratcliffe of Bootham School for a journey through the renaissance to modern mathematics, including the works of Riemann, Turing and Fry Richardson. Where will maths go next?

In Finnish mythology, lintukoto describes a paradise-like place at the far edge of the world. This installation asks what lintukoto might mean in the Anthropocene - a time of ecological collapse, displacement and political instability.

Catch five members of the Glee Club at Elder High School, Cincinnati, Ohio, US at St Helen’s Church and enjoy a mixed repertoire of popular, musical theatre, folk, spiritual and sacred music.

Join the York St John Living Lab for an interactive panel on ecological justice and climate resilience designed to spark hopeful, holistic solutions.

Join historian Sadiah Qureshi of the University of Manchester as she explains that extinction is both a natural process and an unnatural human act.

A retinue of reciters perform a selection of Anglo-Saxon and Norse poetry and prose, both in translation and in the original. Come and join us in the beorsele or beer-hall of the Black Swan.

York’s affordability crisis is pushing people and communities out of the city. Learn how YorSpace aims to challenge this by developing co-operative, community-owned models.

As artificial intelligence tools become embedded in scientific research, AI specialist Claire Malone asks: is AI extending the power of human curiosity - or reshaping it?

From the shifting face of the Moon to constellations that return with the seasons, astronomer Emily Brunsden and science communicator Chris Stewart invite you to look up and explore with your eyes, curiosity and a sense of awe.

In Finnish mythology, lintukoto describes a paradise-like place at the far edge of the world. This installation asks what lintukoto might mean in the Anthropocene - a time of ecological collapse, displacement and political instability.

Join us for an educational walk and some Himalayan balsam bashing. Help protect the important habitats on Fulford Ings by removing the invasive plant, minimising its spread across our watercourses and floodplains.

Why does the way we speak matter? Explore why language - and the analysis of language - is crucial to creating inclusive spaces for diverse populations.

Step into the world of professional printmaking with Michelle Hughes and discover how she transforms the beauty of the British countryside and wildlife into striking linocut art.

How can we ensure greater equity and inclusivity in education? How should we respond to social and technological change? Our panel discussion explores how research is answering education’s biggest questions.

Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned tap dancer, why not come along and have a go at a tap-dancing lesson with York Rhythm Tap?

Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned tap dancer, why not come along and have a go at a tap-dancing lesson with York Rhythm Tap?

Learn how the Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management has established the York Minster Precinct as a world-class campus facility for research, education and training in traditional craft skills.

Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned tap dancer, why not come along and have a go at a tap-dancing lesson with York Rhythm Tap?

Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned tap dancer, why not come along and have a go at a tap-dancing lesson with York Rhythm Tap?

In Finnish mythology, lintukoto describes a paradise-like place at the far edge of the world. This installation asks what lintukoto might mean in the Anthropocene - a time of ecological collapse, displacement and political instability.

What makes a successful city centre? Join our diverse panel of design leaders and urban visionaries to help shape a city centre that’s inclusive, accessible and future proof for all.

With Astronomer Royal for Scotland Catherine Heymans and cosmologist Carlos Frenk, our panel asks where our knowledge, gleaned from our own small blue planet, fits in the vastness of an ever-expanding universe.

Join organist Matthew Collins for a recital celebrating the rich and fascinating connections between organ music and the city of York - its composers, churches and musical life.

Join York-based vocal ensemble Capriccio Five to experience beloved early music pieces shared with openness and enthusiasm in an intimate space.

Join our expert panel as they debate if it’s possible to imagine new spaces and places into existence in ways that are sympathetic to the needs of future generations while respecting our heritage and environment.

Step back in time on a guided walking tour of York’s rich printing history led by Thin Ice Press: the York Centre for Print.

Get ready to shine bright at York Cares Summer Sparkle - a fun-filled event celebrating summer with music, cake and, of course, lots of sparkle!

Dive into the stubbornly unplaceable world of King Lear with Namratha Rao and James Williams of the University of York as they explore one of Shakespeare’s greatest works.

Generative AI is throwing recruitment into chaos. Our expert panel asks: are we witnessing a recruitment revolution or descending into a stalemate of AI assessing AI?

Join Yorkshire Wildlife Trust for a captivating event uncovering Askham Bog’s 15,000 year geological origins, its unique layers of ancient history and its status as one of the region’s most ecologically diverse wildlife havens.

Which Shakespeare play speaks to our moment in the early 21st century? Hamlet? Not according to Emma Smith of the University of Oxford who proposes an alternative.

In Finnish mythology, lintukoto describes a paradise-like place at the far edge of the world. This installation asks what lintukoto might mean in the Anthropocene - a time of ecological collapse, displacement and political instability.

Welcome to Mr Kendrew's printing shop on Colliergate - a true family enterprise in early 19th-century York. Step back in time and explore some of the pamphlets, primers, ballads and children's chapbooks produced there.

Take to the skies on the York Air Walk and enjoy an aerial stroll through the city's ancient, natural and scientific history with expert guide Simon Rogerson of York’s Hidden History.

Sax Forte returns to the Festival with a fresh programme of music and an entertaining talk on the history of the saxophone.

Join us for a challenge against the clock as competing finalists each have just three minutes to outline the power of their research in the annual York Three Minute Thesis competition.

Struggling with joint pain or insomnia? You aren’t alone. Drawing on personal experience, Dame Kelly Holmes shares tips on managing middle age and the menopause.

Join us at the Creative Technologies Showcase and enjoy the phenomenal work and ideas created by University of York students. Projects range from games and mobile applications to virtual reality experiences and web designs.

In 1914, 11 girls leaving the Mount School in York began a round robin diary. Historian Krista Cowman and playwright Bridget Foreman present staged extracts from this 20th-century Quaker ‘WhatsApp Group’.

Enjoy a unique event where storytellers from the Global Majority - who live, study or work in York - take centre stage to share their experiences with climate change, ecological shifts and resilience.

From Cleopatra to Grace Kelly, join historian and best-selling author Kate Williams for an epic new history of royal women that shatters the myths we have built around them.

Come and hear Grammy-nominated artist Olivia Chaney, one of the most distinctive singer-songwriters of her generation, who has carved out a rare space between folk, classical and contemporary music.

Come aboard and explore York’s rivers on a curated boat journey. See how flood resilience and natural flood management help people, wildlife and place.

York Conservation Trust's Heritage Manager Dav Smith explores the development of the Trust and outlines its ambitious ten-year plan to revitalise York’s heritage buildings in its care.

Step inside the history of Heslington Hall in the 18th century, to learn about the Hesketh and Yarburgh families, their 18th-century gardens and life in 18th-century York.

Join York Army Museum as they commemorate the 82nd anniversary of D-Day with a free living history event featuring Second World War East Yorkshire Regiment kit, vehicles and demonstrations.

Step into the world of traditional craftsmanship and discover the skills that have shaped our built heritage for centuries through demonstrations, hands-on activities and conservation talks with Pinnacle Conservation.

With thousands of Britons taking the plunge, our expert panel dives into the psychology and mental health benefits of cold-water swimming.

Historian Siân Broadhurst discusses the mid-20th century challenge of the pioneering York garden village, New Earswick, to protect and sustain community in a rapidly changing world.

From the secrets of the dead to reconstructing lost landscapes and buildings, discover how digital heritage technologies from the Heritage360 team at York are revealing new insights about the past.

Join sustainability expert David Trousdale for a practical look at the journey of installing EV charge points, from initial planning to full operation, highlighting the key stakeholders at each stage.

Join us at the Creative Technologies Showcase and enjoy the phenomenal work and ideas created by University of York students. Projects range from games and mobile applications to virtual reality experiences and web designs.

Journey through space to discover how layout, scale and placement can change the meaning of words at our out-of-this-world hands-on children’s workshop.

Step into a vanished age as historian Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones brings the world’s first and most illustrious metropolis, Babylon, vividly to life.

Get crafty and enjoy a special Festival edition of All Saints Church’s regular Creative Club. Have a go at the Children's Trail to discover a thousand years of history in a York parish church and take part in fun creative activities.

Discover how and why Britain's best-loved writer styled herself as the consummate craftswoman through a wide-ranging, illustrated talk on Jane Austen's novels and needlework.

Join Kenneth Clarke and Jane Raisch of the University of York as they examine examples of facsimiles of manuscripts of the work of Virgil and Dante and consider how the facsimile itself has changed over time.

Could board games help save the planet? From flooding to climate action, join us to find out how innovative games are addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.

Enjoy a thrilling fusion of jazz, tap dance and song as Triple Time explores the connection between musical theatre and jazz.

Hear readings from Voices of Resistance, a powerful collection of diaries from four Gazan women, and join in the discussion with one of the writers, the editor and local Palestinian figures.

Ever since the dawn of the sound era, Hollywood has made a series of elaborate feature films about the lives of the great visual artists. Join us for a richly illustrated journey into Tinsel Town’s history of art with writer Christopher Frayling.

Explore how 18th-century domestic travel rose to rival the famous European Grand Tour with Jim Watt and Alison O’Byrne of the University of York.

Discover how heritage can help resolve some of the world's most urgent and complex problems with archaeologist John Schofield of the University of York.

Join Emma Major of the University of York as she discusses some key examples of 18th-century gardening trends, including the fashion for grottoes and Chinese gardens.

Step aboard and explore how rail is enabling a cleaner, greener way to travel across the UK at our special Festival Focus event presented in partnership with train operator LNER.

Meet author-illustrator Salomey Doku for an interactive exploration of the world of graphic novels and gain the tools you need to create a book.

Could stigmatising ultra-processed foods be doing more harm than good? Public health nutritionist Beverley O'Hara argues framing foods as inherently ‘dangerous’ risks distorting the science and may have unintended consequences.

Did you know that the world’s most expensive coffee is produced through the digestive tract of an animal? Now imagine that animal is human. Join us for a mind-bending exploration of consumption, ethics and embodiment.

Join postgraduate researchers Zulekha Samiullah and Hugh Barrett to discover how much ‘quantum’ is around you and how these wonders weave into everyday life, from supercomputers to the tech that will reshape our cities.

Colin Beale of the University of York explores how protected areas safeguard our future, why every natural ‘church’ and ‘cathedral’ matters, and how we can collectively decide what to pass on to the next generation.

Discover the 'real' story of what happened when Henry VIII and Katherine Howard visited York in 1541 with building historian and archaeologist Kate Giles.

Gain insight into the range of crafts practiced and designed by women and girls in the 18th century at our hands-on workshop presented by the University of York’s Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies.

Listen to inspirational women and nonbinary scientists as they take science to the streets of York - while standing on a soapbox.

In a time of intense dissatisfactions and spiralling divisions, psychoanalyst Josh Cohen offers a new and original understanding of anger, so we may better handle the rage within us.

Join us for an afternoon of energetic, creative, crafty, puzzling, scientific and historical fun at this year’s Festival Fringe Family Fun Afternoon.

Join digital artist and researcher Guy Schofield of the University of York to discover how videogame technologies are revolutionising the world of heritage.

Explore how virtual tech reconstructs historic sites like Egypt’s Hawara Pyramid and Nottingham Castle. Join our talk and demo to tour hidden chambers and underground caves that are otherwise invisible to the eye.

Two great cities. One fierce rivalry. Join historian Adrian Goldsworthy to discover more about Athens and Sparta, the two big players in Ancient Greece.

Discover how data-driven decisions are revolutionising every facet of football - from player performance evaluation to scouting and strategy development.

Inspired by All Saints North Street windows, discover fascinating stories of what happened in bed in the Middle Ages with historian Hollie Morgan.

What might extraterrestrial life be like and how are we trying to find it? What could it mean if we did? Mike Shaw of Bootham School presents an exploration of the search for life beyond the Earth.

From trade and taxes to industry and animals, discover the rich history and stories of York’s city walls with Barry Crump of the University of York.

Discover how combining heritage crafting and outdoor natural spaces can offer a powerful way to boost our mental health and resilience.

Join historian Will Tullett as he explores the smells that 20th-century British people valued, sought to preserve and which helped them to make sense of their worlds.

Join writer Joanna Bourke for a critical, comparative history of five of the most reviled women in the modern Anglophone world: Hindley, West, Wuornos, Homolka and Tucker.

Join King’s Ely Prep Jazz Band at St Helen’s Church for an eclectic mix of jazz, rock and funk tunes guaranteed to set your toes tapping.

Join Michael White, Head of History of Art at the University of York, for a talk accompanying an inspiring exhibition in the Heslington Hall gallery dedicated to the artist John Langton (1932-2025).

Discover the remarkable legacies of David Whitaker and Terrance Dicks, two giants of Doctor Who and British popular culture, with biographer Simon Guerrier and enjoy exclusive insights into their work from their own archives at the University of

Although she is known the world over for her words, Anne Lister, the lesbian diarist of Halifax, was also a committed musician. Join us to learn about the importance of music-making in her life.

Enjoy performances by one of the UK’s most sought-after Carnatic vocalists, Supriya Nagarajan, alongside an eclectic ensemble of instrumental artists as you discover South Indian classical (Carnatic) music.

Join Robert Nichols, editor and host of Middlesbrough FCs fanzine and internet chat forum, as he reflects on his work championing the people’s game and looks forward to this year’s FIFA World Cup.

Join writer Brigid Ehrmantraut for a captivating introduction to Celtic magic as she reveals its integration into daily life from antiquity to the Middle Ages.

Join our panel of experts as they decode the chemical cocktail in our waterways and share actionable steps we can all take to restore the health of our rivers.

Enjoy a fast-paced storytelling PechaKucha event showcasing the work of Business of the Creative Industries students from the University of York.

Join Nicola Sturgeon, the longest-serving First Minister of Scotland, as she reflects on her remarkable career in an era marked by Brexit, Covid and five different UK prime ministers.

York Musical Society is joined by its partner choir from Münster, York’s twin city in Germany, for an uplifting performance of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius.

Join Yorkshire Bach Choir for a captivating concert woven with themes of nature, gardens and transcendent landscapes, featuring a unique arrangement of Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending.

Come along to the Borthwick Institute and enjoy a place to play and relax as you try out games from the archives that aren’t commercially available and haven’t been played before.

Join us at the Creative Technologies Showcase and enjoy the phenomenal work and ideas created by University of York students. Projects range from games and mobile applications to virtual reality experiences and web designs.

Discover the wilder side of the University of York’s stunning Campus East with a multi-sensory workshop designed to reconnect you with the outdoors.

Experience the garden through new eyes. Join Navigators Art for an exhibition celebrating the beauty, peace and wild inspiration of the garden.

Democracy is in the dock. Looking back at its origins, was the system always flawed? Our keynote speaker, Big Tech insider-turned-critic Dex Hunter-Torricke takes to the stand, followed by other expert witnesses.

Enjoy an insightful walking tour of York, highlighting untold histories and diverse narratives. Go beyond the conventional stories of the city’s past as we explore the impact of women, people of colour and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Rooted in South Indian musical traditions and informed by philosophical and ecological thought, Other Voices seeks to give voice to the voiceless - the flora and fauna of our planet - through an immersive soundscape.

Join us for some family fun as we spark children’s imaginations with a range of hands-on, interactive activities.

As AI increasingly becomes a fixture of social care and our daily lives, our expert panel discusses how we ensure it’s safe for older adults.

What do you think of when you think about the past? Enjoy a hands-on collaging workshop and reflect on the narratives we share about our history. How might we use these to build better futures?

What is it that so fascinates us about the places where writers live and create? Join writer Katie da Cunha Lewin as she dismantles the familiar furniture of the writer’s room and opens it up to view.

Step into a world where stories come to life. Listen to an exciting tale via a Kamishibai - a centuries-old traditional Japanese form of storytelling with picture cards - before taking part in a treasure hunt and making origami figures to take home.

Come along to the Borthwick Institute and enjoy a place to play and relax as you try out games from the archives that aren’t commercially available and haven’t been played before.

Why, how and where do we inter our dead? From the earliest known burial sites to today’s green burials, author Roger Luckhurst presents a wonderfully illustrated cultural history of graves and graveyards.

Join Achilles Dunster of York St John University for a walking tour and explore the effects that protestant non-conformists had on the cityscape of York.

Digital disruption, the rise of authoritarianism and polarisation, a failure to deliver for marginalised groups and future generations. We discuss if democracy is fundamentally incapable of navigating 21st century threats.

Join Benito Aubry of the University of York for a cosmic odyssey as he explores what we understand – and don’t understand – about space and time today.

Join writers Eleanor Bruce and Lucilla Gray on a metal detecting journey through Britain as they share their fascination with unearthing historic artefacts.

What does the future hold for the trees in our towns and cities? Dive into Urban Labor-a Tree, a fast-paced strategy board game where you are the architect of a greener city.

Is democracy dead or just in need of an upgrade? Join this citizens’ jury to put our political system on trial. Hear expert testimony on radical, hyper-local alternatives and cast your verdict on whether democracy can be reclaimed or replaced.

Māori author Tina Makereti discusses the significance of place to Indigenous literatures at an event featuring readings from her work.

Historian Pat Cullum explores the complicated map of barriers and jurisdictions that made up the city of York, focussing on the development of the parish of Holy Trinity, Goodramgate from the Norman Conquest to the Reformation.

Join the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Senior Curator Louise Devoy as she charts the development of Britain’s first state-funded scientific institution, from its founding by royal warrant to the present day.

Hear the powerful true story of how journalist Matt Blake discovered his new house was once the lair of the E17 Nightstalker. Join him as he discusses his scientific quest to make sense of the paranormal and find peace at home.

Join acclaimed author Alexander McCall Smith, creator of the iconic No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, for an in-conversation event as he discusses his work and the importance of kindness.

Oasis, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, James: the Mancunian music scene is legendary. Join ultimate industry insiders Mike Pickering and John Robb for a journey through Manchester’s musical soul.

Discover how science fiction is becoming reality as astronomers uncover thousands of incredible worlds in our galaxy with astrophysicist Emily Brunsden and science communicator Chris Stewart.

Experience the garden through new eyes. Join Navigators Art for an exhibition celebrating the beauty, peace and wild inspiration of the garden.

Experience the sounds and smells of a piano being dismantled and transformed into a playable ‘strung back’ - the piano's frame and strings only - and enjoy performances with instrumental ensemble The Assembled.

Take a journey across time and space and explore the history of medieval Britain through the biographies of illuminated manuscripts and their creators with author Michelle P Brown.

Lydia Kennaway, Poet-in-Residence at Thin Ice Press, introduces The Marker Committee, a collection of poems addressing the ephemerality of the written word.

Join Mumta Ito, author of the UK Nature's Rights Bill, and learn more about this bold legal framework that puts nature’s health first, ensuring our laws and economy work within the planet's limits, not against them.

Join Katie Harrison from York Consortium for Craft and Conservation and piano restorer Tom Binns for a talk exploring what can happen to old pianos when their upkeep becomes too expensive. How can we reimagine them and transform them for reuse?

Guy James, a founding member of The Gesualdo Six, explains how the acclaimed vocal ensemble investigates interacting traditions across renaissance Europe in their programming.

You used to see a doctor. Now you go online. Journalist Deborah Cohen reveals the truth behind Ozempic influencers, AI-powered diagnoses, ‘preventative’ screening and Instagram’s favourite wearable tech.

Join us for an informal session in the ancient and medieval arithmetical gymnasium.

Is pop megastar Taylor Swift an eco-icon or an environmental villain? Elly McCausland of Ghent University, Belgium, dives into the friction between the star’s massive carbon footprint and her ability to tackle ‘plant blindness’ through song.

Taste and smell your way through the 17th century in a session that uses chocolate - and an ancient additive, vanilla - to connect York to Mesoamerican orchids, Aztec life and ladies’ salons in Restoration England.

Discover the pleasures and surprises of Viking verse, with poetry about journeys and landscapes, halls and battlefields, and the many places of the Viking world, with Alicia Maddalena and Matt Townend of the University of York.

Enjoy improv comedy with a historical twist. Yorkshire-based improvisers Fool(ish) create an evening of spontaneous comedy inspired by curious documents and artefacts from the city archive.

Aged five, writer Sanjoy Roy encountered his first spirit in his ancestral house in Calcutta. Since then, he has come across a variety of apparitions, spectres and phantoms. Join him for a fascinating travelogue through the supernatural world.

Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) a Hollywood-style threat or a tool we can trust? Join experts from the University of York’s CDT in Safe AI (SAINTS) to explore how chatbots have changed the conversation.

Join archaeologist Colm O'Brien as he explores themes of landscape, power, creativity and intellect in Early Medieval Northumbria – the age of Lindisfarne and Bede.

Experience the garden through new eyes. Join Navigators Art for an exhibition celebrating the beauty, peace and wild inspiration of the garden.

Experience how new perspectives on a changing planet emerge from the fusion of old and new technologies - aerial kites and artificial intelligence – through a multimedia exhibition.

Discover the organ as an instrument of place - shaped by architecture, ritual and memory. Organist James Short presents a programme ranging from Praetorius and Bach to works by Judith Bingham and Rachel Laurin.

Experience an afternoon of poetry and music at St Nicks Nature Reserve as Jonathan Brockbank and Freya Sierhuis of the University of York explore the life and work of the Romantic poet John Clare.

Join one of Britain’s favourite storytellers, Michael Morpurgo, for a spellbinding evening of words and music exploring our deep connection to the natural world.

Join campus wildlife expert Robin Perutz for a guided walk through the special habitats of the University of York and learn about the many species of flowers, birds and insects that call Campus East home.

Welcome to the Natural Health Service! In this interactive workshop, we will step into the great outdoors to discover the powerful impact on human health and wellbeing of spending time in our protected landscapes.

For centuries Stonehenge has been the subject of fascination and speculation. Archaeologist Julian Richards explores Stonehenge's 'old rocks' and the theories that have emerged from newly available information.

Discover the 1911 scandal around horse racing tips that saw the Joseph Rowntree Social Service Trust branded a ‘moral cesspool’. Sue Mendus of the University of York digs into the archives to investigate.

Discover York’s rich Black history on a fascinating journey spanning nearly 2,000 years - from Roman Eboracum to the 1950s – on a guided walk with Olivia Carpenter of the University of York.

Join Stuart Rose, a veteran of British retail, as he shares insights into his career and thoughts about the future of the UK economy.

Join Richard Gale, an internationally renowned expert in medical diseases of the retina, as he focuses on the critical question: how much vision can be saved in the future?

Join Simon Wilde, cricket correspondent for the Sunday Times, as he takes a compelling new look at the untold story behind one of English sport’s oldest records.

York Art Gallery’s exhibition, Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print, explores over 300 years of printmaking in Japan. Dig deeper into the exhibition’s themes at a special event celebrating Japanese art and history.

Experience the garden through new eyes. Join Navigators Art for an exhibition celebrating the beauty, peace and wild inspiration of the garden.

How can York and North Yorkshire become the premier region for investment and new opportunities in the UK? Join in the discussion with our expert speakers.

Enjoy a guided walk through the history of the streets around the church of All Saints North Street and explore this medieval landmark with its world-famous stained glass.

Want to help tackle climate change but don’t have the time to become a climate scientist? Our Climate Fresk workshop will teach you the fundamental science behind climate change and empower you to take action.

Where will the next generation of high-quality jobs in York and North Yorkshire come from? Join us for a dynamic session spotlighting the ‘growth opportunity trio’ – BioTech, RailTech and CreaTech.

Our expert panel discusses how regional collaboration can ensure economic success isn’t just a headline, but a reality for every York and North Yorkshire neighbourhood.

Discover York’s rich Black history on a fascinating journey spanning nearly 2,000 years - from Roman Eboracum to the 1950s – on a guided walk with Olivia Carpenter of the University of York.

Enjoy spoken passages from the writings of Anne Lister and her contemporaries interwoven with live performances of music from her own collection at an intimate concert in the glorious setting of York Mansion House.

Experience the garden through new eyes. Join Navigators Art for an exhibition celebrating the beauty, peace and wild inspiration of the garden.

Step back in time on a guided walking tour of York’s rich printing history led by Thin Ice Press: the York Centre for Print.

Join York Community Energy (YCE) on a short guided walk around some of the key sites in York’s energy story, followed by a discussion about the priorities for the energy future of the city’s most important spaces.

Enjoy watching a concert-style musical and learn more about the innovative bioscience research being carried out at the University of York, followed by a ‘meet the researchers’ session.

Discover the portraits of early modern astronomers, anatomists and natural historians, and explore how images shape scientific identity with Irina Tautschnig of the University of York.

Discover York’s evolving history of medicine and mental health, and explore how ideas of illness, treatment and control have shaped the city and the lives of its people.

From Victorian jet to modern lab-grown diamonds, Sarah Steele, Curator of Jet at Whitby Museum, discusses why some ‘forever’ gems are measured in catastrophe, not carats.

Take to the skies on the York Air Walk and enjoy an aerial stroll through the city's ancient, natural and scientific history with expert guide Simon Rogerson of York’s Hidden History.

Experience the garden through new eyes. Join Navigators Art for an exhibition celebrating the beauty, peace and wild inspiration of the garden.

125 years on from Seebohm Rowntree’s landmark study of poverty in York, our panel discusses new research to explore wealth, looking at who owns land, housing and assets, and how that shapes everyday life.

Internationally acclaimed guitar virtuoso Galina Vale makes her seventh Festival appearance with a new programme of classical, flamenco and folk guitar music from Spain, Latin America, Eastern Europe and beyond.

Could York and North Yorkshire become a national beacon for community wealth building, reshaping who owns, controls and benefits from the local economy? Join members of the Mayoral Community Wealth Building Commission.

Step back in time and explore 90 years of the Joseph Rowntree Theatre as you discover the remarkable story of one of York’s most cherished cultural institutions.

Collecting the real haunted experiences of York residents, Living Lore: The Ghost Stories of Contemporary York is a new co-production between Skald Theatre Group and the York Society of Hauntologists.

Enjoy screenings of students’ work, talks and workshops from leading professionals in the UK film and television industry at this year’s LUMA Film Festival, as well as a Gala awards ceremony.

Join us for the 18th annual York Design Awards winners presentation in categories covering residential, community and commercial buildings, and open spaces.