Rock climbing, mini golf, and spa days – pre-booking opens for York Res Festival

Pre-booking for York Residents’ Festival has opened today (Friday 9 January).

Organised by Make It York, this annual event takes place for 2026 over the weekend of 31 January and 1 February. It offers York residents free entry to attractions, enjoy exclusive offers for food and drink and take part in unique experiences across the city.

Pre-booking tickets online returns for the second year for a variety of attractions and venues. For some, spaces are limited, so to secure free tickets, make sure to book early!

Pre-booking for free entry have opened for these attractions and experiences:

• Learn York’s sweet heritage at York’s Chocolate Story with 25% off classic guided tours to be pre-booked. They’re also offering 200 free walk-in tickets over the weekend (100 each day).
• Culture vultures can access free entry to Yorkshire Museum, York Art Gallery and York Castle Museum.
• Hop on board and discover the River Ouse with live commentary with a free boat trip with City Cruises.
• Tucked away behind Goodramgate, discover the 14th century dining hall Bedern Hall with a tour, and learn about York’s Guilds and the road to the Mystery Plays.
• For a frightfully good time, The York Dungeon is offering a limited number of free tickets, and when they’re all done, there’s 50% off pre-booked tickets.
• National Trust are offering free entry to Treasurer’s House to discover the historic house and award-winning garden.  
• Get free entry to The Potions Academy to learn more with The Potions Class, a magical family experience led by the potion master with every graduating wizard and witch receiving their very own magical potion.
• Free entry to the most magical golf course at The Hole In Wand.
• Discover the city through its famous pubs through the York Guided Historic Pub Walks with 50% off.
• Uncover our city’s ancient, natural and scientific secrets, and forgotten people and places with York’s Hidden History free walking tours.
• Discover the array of delicious gins at York Distillery with 20% off Gin Tasting.
• Recharge during the weekend with Touch Tuina’s express recovery treatments with a massage or reflexology session – pre-booking advised walk-ins welcome.
• It’s open house at the National Centre for Early Music, and, if you’re planning a wedding, the stunning Grade I listed medieval venue, St Margaret’s Church are hosting a wedding fair.
• Discover English Heritage’s most modern and most unusual site, York Cold War Bunker with free entry.
• Explore the stunning gardens at Castle Howard with complimentary tickets over the weekend.
• Learn about some amazing aircraft and the incredible people who designed, built and flew them with free entry to the Yorkshire Air Museum.
• Become a wine connoisseur at Yorkshire Heart Vineyard with a free short tour of the vineyard and winery with wine tasting.
• Adventure seekers can take advantage of a free taster session Rock Climbing and Abseiling at Brimham Rocks with Lost Earth Adventures.
• Get yourself a free Gin & Tonic or dram of whisky at Cooper King Distillery.
• Get a complimentary upgrade to the Middlethorpe Spa Half-Day Discovery.
• Enjoy a unique staycation at the Bar Convent House from January to March with 20% off bookings made during the weekend.

If residents don’t get the chance to book early, the majority of free entry to attractions are available for walk-ins over the weekend.

New offers and additional tickets are also added over the coming weeks, make sure to check the Visit York website regularly to not miss out.

To take advantage of the offers, residents must present a valid York Card, student card or identity card that proves your York residency.