Romans are returning to York Museum Gardens and venues across York this month – here’s everything you need to know.
The Eboracum Roman Festival is back from Saturday 16 to Sunday 31 May, with an interactive programme of events, talks and trails for Roman enthusiasts, budding historians or those looking for some May half term entertainment.
The festival’s centrepiece, the popular Living History Encampment, will be held on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May, transforming York Museum Gardens into a bustling Roman encampment.
Discover how the Romans lived by talking to the legions in their camp and watch demonstrations of weaving, carpentry, pottery and blacksmithing, with some Romans offering visitors the chance to get hands-on with their craft.
Check out military demonstrations and formations with Ermine Street Guard or join York Museum Trust’s Garden Team for a guided tour of the Edible Garden on Saturday 23 May, all about the plants and herbs Romans used in cooking, curing and poisoning…
Artillery Demonstrations will take place over the weekend, offering the chance to see some real-life Roman weapons in action; the Kids Barbaric Battle, taking place on both days, allows little ones to dress as Roman legionaries and charge across the lawn.
The festival also includes a host of festival guest speakers.
Special guests, historian, author and podcaster Greg Jenner and renowned author Terry Deary will be giving talks and signing books at the Yorkshire Museum.
Greg Jenner will be at the Yorkshire Museum on Saturday 23 May with ‘Totally Chaotic History: Roman Britain Gets Rowdy’, a fast-paced, funny and kid-friendly talk. On Sunday 24 May, Terry Deary will be giving a talk titled ‘Revolting – A Riotous History of Rebellions and Revolutions’ based on his best-selling non-fiction books.
Storytelling will also take place throughout the weekend, including stories with Kate Campbell, reading her book ‘Vlad and the Roman Triumph,’ and sessions with Stories Alive uncovering the ‘Labours of Hercules.’ Meet authors Simon Turney, Simon Elliot, Paul Chrystal and Alex Gough in the Bibliothēca tent, the authors will be talking about their publications as well as selling and signing copies of their books.
In the Archaeology Zone, visitors can have a go at uncovering archaeological artefacts in the mock-discovery pits. Object handling will also be taking place throughout the day, allowing visitors to experience Roman history in a new way.
Beyond the Living History Camp, Roman activities will take place across York, such as Roman York Walking Tours led by Uncomfortable York, on 16, 23 and 30 May offering a different look at Roman life in the city.
At York Minster, costumed interpreters from Days Gone By will bring the site’s Roman past to life, with objects, Roman soldiers and some Roman-style crafts.
Pick up a trail sheet from the event information tent in the Museum Gardens on the 23 or 24 May to discover Roman York in an interactive walk through Eboracum. A free symposium on Wednesday 20 May explores Egypt’s presence in Roman York. This event is led by the University of York and features discussions and a Q&A session with historians and experts, Joann Fletcher, Eva Mol and Ian Trumble.
Throughout half term, visitors can also head inside and explore the Yorkshire Museum’s renowned Roman collections, including the opportunity to walk on a real Roman mosaic. The mosaic will serve as the backdrop to the International Shakespeare Festival’s performances of Shakespeare and Rome, exploring history and memory through the Bard’s Roman-inspired works on Friday 22 May and Thursday 28 May.
Roman Games will be available upstairs in the Yorkshire Museum on Tuesday 26, Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May.
On Saturday 16 May and Wednesday 27 May, make a Roman mosaic in artist-led Creative Families Workshops. There’ll be more chances to Meet a Roman on Friday 29 May when HistoryRiot’s very own Roman will share stories, games and laughter with museum visitors.
The Roman Festival closes with a showing of the well-loved film, Gladiator at City Screen on Sunday 31 May.
The Roman festival coincides with the opening of the Yorkshire Museum’s brand-new exhibition, Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard, opening 15 May 2026.
The Melsonby Hoard is the largest deposit of Iron Age objects ever to be found in Britain and gives and insight into what life might have been like for people living in the north of England over 2,000 years ago. Though created and buried before the Romans took hold in the north, the discovery and exhibition will be highlighted at the festival to showcase York’s amazing archaeological discoveries.
Partners of this year’s Eboracum Roman Festival are York Archaeology, York Minster, University of York, York Museums Trust, Roman Bath Museum, Uncomfortable York, and City Screen.
To find out more and to book for ticketed events, visit the Yorkshire Museum website.
