This June, York’s parks will become a hub of creativity – as festival hosting free events for teenage girls returns.
Taking place across two weekends, the Make Space Festival 2026 will feature over 40 free events and activities designed primarily for girls aged 10 to 18, with some sessions suitable for ages 8 and up.
The programme includes a wide mix of activities, from sports and exercise sessions to arts and crafts, nature connection, social awareness and more.
Make Space Festival will take place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June at Rowntree Park and on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June at Homestead Park.
The Make Space Festival is part of the wider Make Space York project, which began in Rowntree Park in 2021 through the work of the Friends of Rowntree Park.
The project responds to the widely recognised issue that as girls enter their teenage years, their use of parks and public spaces drops significantly compared to boys.
“Girls are often described as hard to engage, but what we see is something different,” said Abigail Gaines, charity manager of Friends of Rowntree Park and lead for Make Space York.
“Parks are not always designed with teenage girls in mind. How girls feel in parks can shape whether they feel welcome in public space now and into adulthood.
“This festival is about creating a space where girls feel welcome, confident and able to take part in a way that works for them.”
The Make Space York project works directly with girls to better understand what they want from public space, helping to shape more inclusive environments and opportunities –including co-creating a physical space in the park with equipment chosen by girls.
The festival first launched in 2023 and received national recognition through the Green Flag Award for Best Initiative to Engage and Increase the Use of Parks by Women and Girls.
The festival is only made possible thanks to grants and sponsors who support the aims of the project, and there are already ‘hopes to continue in 2027’ if funding can be secured.
All events for the Make Space Festival are free, although some require booking in advance. For full programme details and booking information, visit the Make Space York website here.
