The weekend is here!
Despite the rain, there’s lots of fun to be had in York. Join us for the Easingwold Tractor Run, a fun day for all the family with a whole day of all things tractors.
Elsewhere, there’s the return of the Poppleton Beer & Music Festival, John le Carre classic The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is at the Grand Opera House, the NYMR Annual Diesel Gala is back, bike enthusiasts will love the Yorkshire Cycle Festival, and much more.
Take a look at our full guide below.
What’s on in York this weekend, Friday 12 – Sunday 14 June
Easingwold Tractor Run
Please gather in Easingwold market Place and join YorkMix for music and fun in the Market Place on the day.
From 8:30am, tractors gather in the marketplace before a big send-off at 9:45am for the morning run, with face painting by Alex from FacePaintYork.
When the Tractors return for a lunch break—come and see them up close all parked up in the Market Place. The afternoon ride leaves to visit some local pubs at 2pm.
All raising funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and you can visit their stand in the central car park in Easingwold. This event is proudly sponsored by Cleanhome York and The Commercial Pub in Easingwold. Don’t miss it!
The registration for the tractors on the day will take place inside the Commercial Pub – YO61 3AN. Entry Fees: Tractors – £15 and Tractor Passengers £10
Pie and Peas will be served in the Commercial Pub at lunchtime for the participants.
The morning route covers 27.5 miles North of Easingwold. Ideal for families, one refreshment stop at the Fauconberg in Coxwold. The afternoon run will be South of Easingwold. Stopping Places – Tholthorpe – Newton-on -Ouse – Tollerton.
There is a 30-seater weatherproof trailer fitted with seat belts for passengers.
Seating Prices – per run: AM – Adults £10, Under 12’s £5, (Free on parents’ Knees) and PM – £10 per seat. Passengers are welcome to bring their own food and drinks.
The public can view the tractors in the morning and at Lunchtime in the central car park.
- Easingwold Market Place
- Sun 14 Jun
- From 8:30am
- More info
Poppleton Beer & Music Festival
For anyone who doesn’t know, Poppleton Junior Football Club throw a massive party every summer – the famous Poppleton Beer & Music Festival, now in its 14th year – at their grounds on Millfield Lane, Nether Poppleton, YO26 6LY.
Friday night 12th June (4-11pm) and all day Saturday 13th June (12-11pm), they serve 66 different cask and keg beers, a variety of ciders, wine, Pimm’s and Prosecco, and this year, Hooting Owl gins. Even better, our cask beers remain just £4 a pint.
With great food, loads of entertainment on Saturday for the kids, and a fantastic line up of bands including The Mothers on Friday night and The 40 Thieves on Saturday night, this year’s festival promises to be an unforgettable weekend.
- Grand Opera House York, Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW
- Tue 9 – Sat 13 Jun
- 7:30pm, 2:30pm Sat matinee
- More info
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold
For the first time ever, a novel by John le Carré — the undisputed master of the modern spy genre whose works include Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and The Night Manager — is brought to life in a thrilling stage adaptation. Starring Ralf Little (The Royle Family, Death In Paradise), The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is a riveting journey through the fog-shrouded terrain of Cold War espionage, deception, and moral compromise. Read our review here.
- Grand Opera House York, Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW
- Tue 9 – Sat 13 Jun
- 7:30pm, 2:30pm Sat matinee
- More info
Annual Diesel Gala
Join us for four fantastic days celebrating the sights, sounds and sheer power of heritage diesel locomotives, all set against the breath-taking backdrop of the North York Moors National Park. Whether you’re a seasoned diesel enthusiast or simply curious to see these mighty machines in motion, there’s something here for everyone, families, fans and first-timers alike.
This year, we’re thrilled to welcome four amazing visiting locomotives to join our home fleet, bringing even more variety, noise and nostalgia to the line. Book your tickets and come and soak up the atmosphere, enjoy the buzz along the route and experience an unforgettable showcase of diesel power.
- North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Pickering YO18 7AJ
- Thu 11 – Sun 14 Jun
- 9am – 7:30pm
- More info
Educating Rita
Black Treacle Theatre (Anne Boleyn, Iphigenia in Splott) return with Willy Russell’s warm, witty and moving play about the power of education to change lives.
When Rita, a working-class hairdresser hungry for something more, signs up for an Open University literature course, she meets Frank, a disillusioned academic whose passion for teaching has long faded. Their weekly tutorials become a battle of ideas, humour and honesty as Rita’s confidence blossoms and Frank reckons with his own choices and the possibility of a second chance.
As Rita discovers the worlds of art, culture and self-expression, she begins to question the life others expect her to live. But change comes with difficult choices, and both teacher and student must reconsider who they are, and who they want to be.
- Theatre@41, 41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB
- Tue 9 – Sat 13 Jun
- 7:30pm
- More info
Yorkshire Cycle Festival
The Yorkshire Cycle Festival is back! There will be a trade village selling new products, kit and bikes, a two-day bike jumble, guided rides, air bag jumps, kids skills areas, historic cycle displays, show and shines, visiting clubs, live music, food and drink, and much more.
Don’t miss The Retro Bike Show – 1000’s of vintage MTB from the 80’s / 90’s & early 2000’s, and The 20″ Show – BMX / Choppers / Grifters & any 20″ wheel bikes.
- Driffield Show Ground, Driffield, YO25 9DP
- Fri 12 – Sun 14 Jun
- TBD
- More info
The Dinosaur That Pooped
Adapted from the No.1 best-selling books by Tom Fletcher (composer of Paddington the Musical) and Dougie Poynter, the whole family will have a poopy good time enjoying a brand-new story for the stage. Featuring new songs by Tom and Dougie, a lot of laughs and a whole lot of poo!
When Danny and Dino’s favourite rock band are playing their last ever concert, they go on a quest to get the last two tickets. But with a villainous band manager lurking, nothing goes to plan. Will the band perform? Will Danny rock out? Or will Dino’s rumbling tummy save the day?
- Grand Opera House York, Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW
- Sun 14 Jun
- 12:30pm & 3:30pm
- More info
Matt Forde
In his biggest live tour to date leading political comedian Matt Forde (The Royal Variety Performance, Spitting Image, HIGNFY, British Scandal) finds positivity in life despite all the evidence to the contrary in politics and his own health.
- The Crescent York, 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW
- Sun 14 Jun
- 7:30pm
- More info
Queer Affaire Market
Guess who’s back… and we love to see it!
Join Queer Affaire at their LGBT+ Makers Market! Immerse yourself in a world of creativity as talented queer artisans showcase a variety of gifts, unique handmade goods, and crafts. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or some special flair, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
- SPARK:York, 17-21 Piccadilly, York, YO1 9PB
- Sat 13 Jun
- 1-5pm
- More info
Malton Summer FEASTival
The Malton Summer FEASTival comes to the Market Place with a great mix of unusual groceries, crafts and street foods. Join us for a special gathering with a blend of retail therapy, entertainment and ‘alfresco’ dining in the heart of summer.
- Malton Market Place, Malton, YO17 7LW
- Fri 12 – Sun 14 Jun
- Multiple times
- More info
NT Live: All My Sons
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths) feature in a five-star, triumphantly acclaimed new production of Arthur Miller’s classic play, from visionary director Ivo Van Hove (A View from the Bridge).
One family, the heart of the American dream. When wartime delivers profits for Joe, it comes at a price when his partner is charged with criminal manufacturing deals, and his eldest son goes missing in action. Will peacetime bring peace of mind, or will he be confronted by the consequence of his actions?
Filmed live from the West End, Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You), Tom Glynn-Carney (House of the Dragon), and Hayley Squires (I, Daniel Blake) also feature in this disturbingly prescient play.
- Theatre@41, 41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB
- Sun 14 Jun
- 2pm & 7pm
- More info
Deer Safari
A special opportunity for the whole family to tour the Deer Park and see some of the Red Deer and their calves, up close in their natural habitat.
Our Deer Safari is a fantastic event for all the family – our Farm team will pick you up with their tractors and custom-made trailers to take you through the Grounds and over to the Deer Park where you will get up close to our majestic doe’s and be the first to meet their beautiful, new calves. You can ask us any questions and chat to the farmers who care for the herd throughout the year.
- Sledmere House, Sledmere, Driffield, YO25 3XG
- Fri 12 – Sun 14 Jun
- 10am–4pm (Daytimes), Timeslots from 5.30pm (Fri Evenings)
- More info
Colosseum of Chaos
Colosseum of Chaos is a fast, interactive, and hilariously chaotic theatrical experience. Two absurd Gladiators worship an onstage Amazon Alexa, their all- powerful overlord, who commands them to battle each other, perform ridiculous feats, or drag the audience into increasingly silly games. The crowd is split in two, each side backing their Champion. Winners get rewards; losers face comic punishments.
Audience members can even take to the stage in games that decide the Gladiators’ fate. Between contests (games), expect highly choreographed slapstick fight sequences—with the audience controlling the soundtrack via Alexa, from Eye of the Tiger to Barbie Girl. It’s ridiculous, competitive, and entirely in your hands.
- Friargate Theatre, York, YO1 9SL
- Sat 13 Jun
- 2pm
- More info
From Cocoa Works to Curtain Calls: The Story of the Joseph Rowntree Theatre
Step back in time and explore 90 years of the Joseph Rowntree Theatre’s history.
Hear from our dedicated volunteers and expert panel who will reflect on the theatre’s rich history, the Rowntree family legacy and the enduring importance of community theatre. There will also be an audience Q&A. The panel features Dan Shrimpton (Chair of Trustees, Joseph Rowntree Theatre), Nick Smith (Executive Director, Rowntree Society), Professor Anne Marie Greene (School for Business and Society, University of York), and Graham Mitchell (Honorary Archivist, Joseph Rowntree Theatre).
- The Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road, York YO31 8TA
- Fri 12 Jun
- 7pm
- More info
