Arts and Creativity

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.

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.

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.

York Lindy invites you to a free one-day swing dance festival, featuring a pop-up exhibition, dance classes, music and history talks. Don’t miss the opportunity to try Lindy Hop, Charleston and Jazz dancing.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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?

Mysterious, roguish and endlessly lovable. From ancient gods to witches' familiars, writer Charlie Creed explores the global folklore of our beloved feline friends.

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.

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.

Lost in Joyce? Postgraduate researcher Chris Wogan of the University of York reveals how you can use trees as your map, including for his most difficult texts, Ulysses and Finnegans Wake.

In our increasingly digital world, what even is real life? Siobhan Dunlop of the University of York and Susan Halfpenny of the University of Strathclyde explore the ever-changing (even disappearing) distinction between digital and physical worlds.

Moving from myth through history to contemporary popular culture, writer Kevin Wetmore explores cannibal monsters and ghouls that feast on human flesh.

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.

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.

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.

Specialists in playful learning explore how new or ‘hacked’ games can enhance adult learning experiences and add value to organisations’ in-person training sessions.

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.

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.

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.

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’.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Find out about a York community creative writing project that used ‘thrutopia’ fiction as an alternative to dystopian/doom-laden narratives about climate change.

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 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.