Here’s what’s on in York this week.
It’s the return of York’s biggest fireworks display with Autumn Lights at Elvington Airfield, there’s two days of Late Night Shopping at York Designer Outlet, York Minster is the stage for musical extravaganza The Greatest Shows, and a twist on Dracula is at Joseph Rowntree Theatre.
See the full guide below.
This week is also October half term! Take a look at our guide for lots of spooky and family-friendly events happening in York and North Yorkshire over the holiday.
What’s on in York this week: Monday 27 – Friday 31 October
All week
Party Piece
York Settlement Community Players are delighted to present Party Piece by Richard Harris. Michael and Roma are meticulously preparing for their fancy dress housewarming party. Roma is treating the event like the coronation of the newest monarch, with Michael thinking he is planning the Normandy landing, as well as manning the barbecue with 5-star determination and the personality of Gordon Ramsey.
- Theatre@41, 41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB
- Tue 28 Oct – Sat 1 Nov
- 7:30pm (2:30pm Sat matinee)
- More info
Monday
Autumn Lights
Are you ready for York’s biggest firework display? Enjoy the family funfair, tuck into delicious street food and watch two spectacular firework displays choreographed to music. Don’t miss out on a night of fun and spectacular fireworks!
- Elvington Airfield, Elvington, York YO41 4XS
- Mon 27 Oct
- 3pm
- More info
Tuesday
Apple Day at Homestead Park
Join us on Tuesday 28 October, 11am–3pm for a fun-filled celebration of the humble apple. Try your hand at apple pressing and take home some fresh juice, enjoy apple tasting, and get stuck into crafts and family-friendly activities.
- Homestead Park, 40 Water End, York YO30 6WP
- Tue 28 Oct
- 11am – 3pm
- More info
Wednesday
Late Night Shopping Event at York Designer Outlet
Enjoy an extra 20% off outlet prices at the Late Night Shopping Event on 29 & 30 October. The Centre has extended their opening hours and will be open from 9am until 10pm both days giving you extra time to shop! Discover on-trend seasonal essentials, the latest footwear or treat yourself to a timeless investment piece. With additional savings you can start your Christmas shopping early and save on seasonal staples, latest beauty lines, partywear and accessories.
Across the 2 days we will be hosting fun for all the family with Professor Hoot’s Halloween trail – the Magical Mix Up, doodle shapes and free face painting. Plus our popular Drop to Win will be making a return with YorkMix for your chance to win fantastic prizes from many of your favourite brands. Running every hour between 11am and 6pm.
- York Designer Outlet, St. Nicholas Avenue, York YO19 4TA
- Wed 29 – Thu 30 Oct
- 9am – 10pm
- More info
Black Rainbow Cabaret
The Black Rainbow Cabaret is a dynamic and inclusive event that plays a central role in our Black History Month celebrations. Scheduled for Wednesday 29th October in the Creative Centre Auditorium, this vibrant evening brings together students and staff from across the university to honour and explore themes of race equality through artistic expression.
Participants are invited to showcase their talents in music, dance, spoken word, poetry, visual art, and other forms of expression. Whether you are a seasoned performer or someone sharing your voice for the first time, the Black Rainbow Cabaret offers a welcoming and supportive space to be heard and celebrated.
- The Creative Centre Auditorium, York St John University, Lord Mayor’s Walk, York YO31 7EX
- Wed 29 Oct
- 6-8pm
- More info
Thursday
Topping & Company Booksellers presents Rory Stewart
Rory joins us for his new book Middleland: Dispatches from the Borders. Rory Stewart spent nearly a decade as a MP of Britain’s most rural constituency, Penrith and the Border. As he came to know and love this part of Cumbria, he found inspiration in the beauty of its landscape, its rugged history as a frontierland, and in the spirit of its people.
Drawing on pieces originally written for a local newspaper, Middleland is an unforgettable portrait of rural Britain today – a place caught in tensions between farming and the natural world, between the need to preserve and to grow, between local and national politics – as well as a timeless evocation of the history, people and landscape of Cumbria.
- York Barbican, Paragon St, York, YO10 4AH
- Thu 30 Oct
- 7pm
- More info
Ballet Black: Shadows
Now in its 23rd year, Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black makes its return to York Theatre Royal with an exciting new double bill, including Pancho’s darkly comic adaptation of Oyinkan Braithwaite’s international bestselling novel, My Sister, The Serial Killer. The double bill is completed by Brooklyn-born, award-winning choreographer Chanel DaSilva, making her British choreographic debut with A Shadow Work.
- York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
- Thu 30 Oct
- 7:30pm
- More info
Dracula
Jonathan Harker, a solicitor from Yorkshire, travels to a castle in the Carpathian Mountains to finalise the sale of property for a reclusive nobleman. When he seemingly vanishes, his fiancée Mina and her closest friend Lucy fall into the grip of a sinister force. Their only hope for survival is a mysterious professor who strives to save them from a fate worse than death. Bram Stoker’s classic vampire story is brought to the stage in this new and exciting adaptation, which remains faithful to the immortal novel whilst honouring the mythology that has grown around it for more than a century.
- The Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road, York, YO31 8TA
- Thu 30 – Fri 31 Oct
- 7:30pm
- More info
Friday
Day of The Dead Celebration
Palenque Jewellery celebrates its Mexican roots and 33 years of business by bringing a Day of the Dead celebration to the haunted streets of York. Co-owners David and Susana will be parading the city centre streets, and there will be a colourful shrine, traditional hot chocolate, and an exclusive offer on our ‘calavera’ skulls; each one unique & hand-painted by skilled artisans in Mexico. Come and join us to find out more about this vibrant tradition!
- Palenque Jewellery, 60 Low Petergate, York YO1 7HZ
- Fri 31 Oct
- 2-6pm
- More info
Dancing After Dark
Step back in time as you learn historical steps in the State Room of York Mansion House, where spirits linger from past balls and dances. An intimate evening, with a glass of fizz on arrival, a beautiful setting and our Dance Mistress ready to reminisce of days gone by… for those wanting a unique start to All Hallows Eve’.
- York Mansion House, St Helen’s Square, York, YO1 9QL
- Fri 31 Oct
- 6pm & 7:30pm
- More info
‘The Greatest Shows’ at York Minster
The Greatest Shows at York Minster features songs from greatest shows in musical theatre – from Broadway blockbusters to West end favourites, with selected songs from The Greatest Showman. Experience an evening of unforgettable songs from the stage, performed by the Ebor string quartet and with amazing vocals of Alistair Griffin and Maggie Wakeling.
- York Minster, Deangate, York YO1 7HH
- Fri 31 Oct
- 7:30pm
- More info
New York Brass Band vs Heavy Beat Brass Band
The brass battle pits father against son and brother against brother. Dad James and offspring Grace and Joe will perform with New York Brass Band, while the other sibling Charlie brings his Birmingham based Heavy Beat Brass Band to square up with the hometown favourites. The gloves will be off, but ultimately the two bands will unite as they take the roof off York Theatre Royal with the sounds of New Orleans.
- York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
- Fri 31 Oct
- 7:30pm
- More info
Pick Me Up Theatre presents Bugsy Malone
Get your splurge gun at the ready as Alan Parker’s world-famous Bugsy Malone comes to York with Pick Me Up Theatre following last year’s sell-out NATIVITY! The Musical. The production features a cast of 40 young performers, and has all the great songs from the original movie, including “You Give A Little Love”, “My Name Is Tallulah”, “So You Wanna Be A Boxer?”, “Fat Sam’s Grand Slam” and “Bugsy Malone”.
- Grand Opera House, Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW
- Fri 31 Oct – Sat 8 Nov
- 7:30pm, 2:30pm Sat & Sun matinees
- More info
