The weekend is coming – and it’s set to be another fun one.
Live at York Museum Gardens returns for a third year with performances from OMD, Self Esteem and Super Furry Animals and the York Comedy Festival.
Returning annual events this weekend also include the John Smith’s Meeting at York Racecourse, the York Rotary Dragon Boat Challenge, and the York Armed Forces Day Football Festival at LNER Community Stadium.
Drag queen icon Jinx Monsoon is at York Barbican, comedy The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) is at York Theatre Royal, and the Wilberfoss Amateur Theatre Society is turning musicals on their head in Miscast: A Summer Showcase.
Take a look at our full guide below.
What’s on in York this weekend, Friday 10 – Sunday 12 June
Live at York Museum Gardens
Live at York Museum Gardens 2026 will see the already sold out headliners, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, kick off the series on Thursday 9 July with Sheffield’s own Self Esteem performing on Friday 10; Welsh art rock legends Super Furry Animals on Saturday 11 July and the return of the York Comedy Festival on Sunday 12 featuring Russell Howard, Ross Noble, Joanne McNally and many more. Here’s everything you need to know at our guide here.
- York Museum Gardens
- Thu 9 – Sun 12 Jul
- Multiple times
- More info
John Smith’s Meeting 2026
Relax into the weekend on the Friday of the meeting watching high quality racing with your friends. On Saturday, who will land the six-figure prize money and unique Wedgwood trophy at the 67th time of asking?
- York Racecourse, YO23 1EX
- Fri 10 – Sat 11 Jul
- From 11:15am
- More info
York Rotary Dragon Boat Challenge 2026
On July 12th 2026, 36 teams will battle it out on the River Ouse for the Challenge Trophy and other prestigious awards, including awards for the fastest Charity Team, Commercial Team, and of course the “Best Dressed Team” trophy.
- River Ouse, York
- Sun 12 Jul
- From 10am
- More info
Jinkx Monsoon – Speaking of Witch
Ever since she was crowned the “Queen of all Queens” by RuPaul, Jinkx Monsoon’s star has risen to new heights as a bonafide Broadway star who sells out Tony Award-winning shows and breaks box office records. Now it’s time for her to process what she’s learned and report back. Written and directed by Monsoon, Speaking of Witch promises an evening with “the O.G. Jinkx” that’s cackle-inducing, unfiltered, intimate, and supremely bewitching. She holds nothing back as she blends stand-up comedy, storytelling, and live musical performances. From recent adventures in dating, sex and courtship; to the fun and unexpected welcomes to womanhood, Jinkx will give audiences the inside scoop on being a perma-stoned trans drag queen from America, in 2026.
- York Barbican, Paragon St, York, YO10 4AH
- Fri 10 Jul
- 7:30pm
- More info
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
The worldwide comic phenomenon returns with this updated and reinvented rollercoaster ride through all 37 of the Bard’s plays. Grab your tickets now for a wild and irreverent show that leaves its audiences breathless with laughter.
After nine years in London’s West End, two TV specials, and performances in over 20 countries, the Reduced Shakespeare Company are reinventing this classic comic masterpiece for a new generation of audiences.
- York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
- Tue 7 – Sat 11 Jul
- Multiple times
- More info
Miscast: A Summer Showcase
Wilberfoss Amateur Theatre Society are proud to present ‘Miscast: A Summer Showcase’.
This showcase features a variety of songs from classic and contemporary musicals including; Hamilton, The Sound of Music, High School Musical, Calamity Jane and many more! There is truly something for everyone, so come along, sit back, and enjoy!
- Wilberfoss Community Centre, Main Street, Wilberfoss, YO41 5NN
- Sun 12 Jul
- 1pm & 6pm
- More info
I’m Sorry, Prime Minister
From the BAFTA Award-winning co-creator of Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister, Jonathan Lynn, comes the long-awaited final chapter of British political satire – and it is as cunning, cutting, and catastrophically funny as ever.
Jim Hacker is back – older, but perhaps not wiser, and still utterly baffled by the real world. Hoping for a quiet retirement at the tranquil Hacker College, Oxford, Jim instead finds himself facing the ultimate modern crisis: cancelled by the college committee.
- Grand Opera House York, Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW
- Tue 7 – Sat 11 Jul
- 7:30pm (2:30pm matinee)
- More info
Summer Voyage: Travel and Trade
From 10th July, embark on a summer exhibition filled with voyages, exploration, and the bustling trade routes of the Viking Age.
Discover why the Vikings made the journey from Scandinavia. How did they survive at sea? How did they avoid boredom in a time before mobile phones? What kinds of goods did they trade? Uncover the answers to all these questions and more.
Experience our interactive temporal portal, where you’ll catch your first glimpse of Viking-age York (then known as Jorvik) before stepping aboard our Time Cars and travelling back to the spring of AD 960.
Ran, goddess of the sea, has been up to her sinister tricks and has transported part of a Viking-age wharf into our gallery. Learn from our Viking hosts as they explain trade, boat use, shipbuilding, and what the Vikings thought about the sea.
Don’t miss your chance to board our Summer Voyage at JORVIK Viking Centre.
- JORVIK Viking Centre, 19 Coppergate Walk, York, YO1 9WT
- From Fri 10 Jul
- 9am – 5pm
- More info
Guys and Dolls
Step into 1950s New York with Guys and Dolls — the award-winning Broadway sensation packed with high-stakes gamblers, showgirls and unlikely love stories.
With unforgettable songs like ‘Luck Be a Lady’ and ‘Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat’, we follow smooth talking gambler Sky Masterson and straight-laced missionary Sarah Brown as their worlds collide in the most unexpected way.
Full of heart, humour and toe-tapping tunes, Guys and Dolls is a timeless celebration of risk, romance and rolling the dice on love.
- Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road, York YO31 8TA
- Wed 8 – Sat 11 Jul
- 7:30pm (2:30pm Sat matinee)
- More info
York Armed Forces Day Football Festival
Come and celebrate Armed Forces Day with an action packed Football Festival at the LNER Community Stadium. Turnstiles will open one hour before the first match, giving visitors plenty of time to arrive, explore and enjoy the activities on offer.
The afternoon features two full 90 minute matches, bringing together serving personnel, veterans, families and the wider community for a brilliant day of sport, activities and celebration.
The event is free for everyone to attend.
- LNER Community Stadium, Kathryn Avenue, Huntington, York YO32 9AF
- Sun 12 Jul
- 10:30am – 4pm
- More info
WWI Reenactment Weekend
Step back in time this summer and experience the sights, sounds, and stories of the First World War.
Join us on 11th and 12th July for a powerful and immersive WWI Reenactment Weekend, where history comes to life across the museum grounds. Witness living history displays, period uniforms, and demonstrations of wartime life on the front line.
- Eden Camp Modern History Museum, Malton, YO17 6RT
- Sat 11 – Sun 12 Jul
- 10am – 5pm
- More info
The Cresidents present Vol. 1
The Cresidents have arrived. You know them, you love them – it’s your favourite bar team presenting a night of banging tunes, great vibes and flowing drinks and all are welcome to join the party!
Founded in 2026 with the idea of providing our bar staff an opportunity to sup a drink together and express ourselves on the hallowed turf of The Crescent DJ booth, The Cresidents are ready to present Vol. 1 – an eclectic and curated mix of tunes to keep you entertained all night long.
- The Crescent York, 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW
- Fri 10 Jul
- 6pm
- More info
The Elvington Comedy Evening
Elvington Comedy Evening in July 2026 with two, work in progress shows from Tez Ilyas (Man Like Mobeen, Live at the Apollo, Fighting Talk etc) plus Alfie Moore at the Elvington Comedy Evening!
- Elvington Village Hall, Main Street, Elvington, York, YO41 4AG
- Sun 12 Jul
- 7pm
- More info
Night of the Werewolves LIVE
Welcome to the sell-out interactive comedy horror show where participants are challenged to conspire, debate, accuse, and brutally murder fellow audience members to determine who among them is a werewolf… hopefully.
Picture this: Your quiet little 16th-century village has rumours of being infested with werewolves… can you and the other villagers find them before they devour everyone?
Fans of the hit global TV series, The Traitors, will be right at home with this interactive round-table experience, based on the cult-classic games Werewolves and Mafia. Will you survive as an innocent villager or thrive as a part of a traitorous pack of Werewolves?
- Theatre@41, 41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB
- Fri 10 Jul
- 7:30pm
- More info
Artist and Maker Fair
Join us this July for a vibrant Artists & Makers Fair set against the beautiful backdrop of the Castle Howard Arboretum. Spend the day discovering an inspiring showcase of local talent, with a curated selection of artists and artisans exhibiting and selling their work in a relaxed setting.
Browse beautifully crafted pieces, each one thoughtfully made and full of character. This is a chance to meet the makers, hear the stories behind their work and support independent creatives from across the region.
Make a day of it with a stroll through the Arboretum’s stunning landscapes and peaceful pathways. Whether you’re searching for a unique gift or simply looking for a creative day out, the Artists & Makers Fair promises inspiration at every turn.
- Castle Howard Arboretum, York YO60 7BY
- Sat 11 Jul
- 10am – 4pm
- More info
Stately Home Charity Car Boot Sale
This is probably one of the poshest Car Boots you will go to with around 100 stalls selling a range of antiques, vintage items and collectibles.
We will also have a Grand Raffle which will be drawn around 1.00 pm with some great prizes up for grabs from local companies including days out and luxury treats. Hot and cold refreshments will be available all day so come and make a day of it with us.
In aid of Saint Catherine’s Hospice Scarborough, Sledmere Village Hall, St Mary’s Church Sledmere and The Wagoners Special Reserve Museum Trust.
- Sledmere House Sledmere, Driffield, YO25 3XG
- Sun 12 Jul
- 9am – 2pm
- More info
