Festival Focus
Throughout the Festival, we present themed events on some of the major issues affecting our lives. Join us for one event or attend the whole series.
Step Aboard: Rail’s journey to a responsible future
Wednesday 27 May, Saturday 6 June and Wednesday 10 June
Step aboard and discover how rail is enabling a cleaner, greener way to travel across the UK at an event presented in partnership with LNER. Be sure not to miss our LNER-supported family and schools’ events too.
Reclaiming Our Rivers
Throughout the Festival and Saturday 6 June
Antibiotics, cosmetics, insecticides, and herbicides: our rivers are exposed to thousands of chemicals every day. Discover why the story doesn’t have to end there through a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition and panel discussion.
Change is Coming: A new vision for York
Thursday 4 June
Join us to discuss how we shape a York city centre that’s inclusive, accessible and future proof for all. Our Focus session is presented in partnership with City of York Council and supported by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
From Brownfield to Blue Sky
Thursday 4 June
Taking the twin themes of Space and Place, the team at York Central brings together some of the country’s foremost thinkers to ask how we build our collective future and understand our place in the universe while treading lightly on our own planet.
Democracy on Trial
Sunday 7 June
Has democracy outlived its usefulness – or is it our only hope? Join our citizens’ jury as we put our system on trial. Hear the evidence, witness the cross examination and cast your vote. The defendant is democracy. The verdict is yours.
Our Future, Our North: Building jobs and prosperity
Wednesday 10 June
Discover how the Darlington Economic Campus is driving economic growth, creating new job opportunities and benefitting the pockets of everyone in the North of England. Expert speakers include Tom Riordan, the government’s first envoy dedicated to northern growth.
From Space Exploration to Understanding Earth
Wednesday 10 June
In the run up to the Space Summit in Paris this year, our panel of experts from France and the UK explores the scientific, geopolitical, security, environmental, and societal issues and challenges related to space exploration.
Mapping Wealth, Ownership and Place in York
Friday 12 June
From Rowntree’s historic maps of poverty to today’s ‘York model’ of community wealth, how does our city truly prosper? In partnership with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, we explore how our city can nurture a grassroots movement of community-driven change.
