It’s the weekend and school’s out for summer!
Enjoy the sunshine at the Outdoor Cinema at Castle Howard, dinosaurs are at York Theatre Royal, there’s comedy galore with Elf Lyons and Paul Smith, annual art prize Aesthetica returns to York Art Gallery, and join us on our Summer Safari at some fantastic family events.
See our full guide below.
This weekend also marks the start of the summer holidays for many! Take a look at even more ideas of things to do at our Summer guide here.
Join us on our Summer Safari with Flamingo Land Resort!
School’s Out – Free Outdoor Family Disco
The Rec are teaming up with Friends of Copmanthorpe Primary School to bring you a special end of term treat!
🪩 School’s Out – Free Outdoor Family Disco 🪩
📅 Friday 17th July from 15:00
🎶 Free Disco 15:30 – 17:30 with DJ Ollie
🏰 Free Bouncy Castle
🍔 BBQ raising funds for Friends of Copmanthorpe Primary School
🍦 Ice Cream Van with Marks Ices 99 joining us!
Enjoy the start of the summer holidays right at your local family friendly venue, while raising money for your local primary school! 🌟
- The Rec, Barons Cres, Copmanthorpe, York YO23 3YR
- Fri 17 Jul
- 3pm
- More info
Bishop Wilton Show
From humble beginnings in the old school yard, the Bishop Wilton Show has grown into one of the most loved village events in the Yorkshire Wolds, attracting over 2,000 visitors every year from across the county. It’s a day where the everyone comes together to celebrate country life at its very best. A Day of Tradition, Fun & Community Spirit
- Bishop Wilton, York YO42 1TD
- Sat 18 Jul
- 9am
- More info
Rawcliffe Rec Family Fun Day
A family fun day filled with stalls, live performances, food and drink, kids entertainment, games, and much more.
- Rawcliffe Rec, St Mark’s Grove, Rawcliffe, York YO30 5TS
- Sun 19 Jul
- 1-5pm
What’s on in York this weekend, Friday 17 – Sunday 19 July
Staxtonbury Family Music Festival
From Friday 17th to Sunday 19th July, prepare for a weekend filled with great food and drink options, fun fair, inflatables zone, children’s tent . Silent disco, and multiple stages promising non-stop music and fun that you won’t want to miss out on.
This year’s festival boasts an impressive line up of over 30 acts sure to cater to every musical taste. Among the highlights are some fantastic talents including this year’s phenomenal tributes P!nk-!sh, Typically Tina and Teddy Sings alongside a super line up of local original and cover artists including Accidentally Accoustic, Rocketsmith and Chicago Joe & The Soul Divas
With original artists and cover bands all acts promise to bring their unique sounds and energetic performances to the stage, ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees.
With three days of music, two stages, and one epic atmosphere, Staxtonbury promises to be the Yorkshire coast’s family music event of the summer. Whether you’re a die-hard music fan or simply looking for a fun-filled weekend with family and friends Staxtonbury has something for everyone.
- A64, Staxton, Scarborough, YO12 4HS
- Fri 17 – Sun 19 Jul
- From 9am
- More info
Adventure Cinema at Castle Howard
The UK’s No.1 outdoor cinema shows come to the prestigious Castle Howard near York. Get ready for an experience like no other in this incredible setting. With six films across three days: The Greatest Showman Sing-A-Long, Sing, Mamma Mia! ExtrABBAganza, Bing And His Friends At The Cinema!, Andrea Bocelli: Cinema, and Pride and Prejudice.
- Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA
- Fri 17 – Sun 19 Jul
- Multiple times
- More info
Aesthetica Art Prize 2026
The Aesthetica Art Prize returns to York Art Gallery, celebrating its twentieth year as an international platform for contemporary art.
The exhibition showcases incredible talent from shortlisted contemporary artists around the globe, all working across different art forms. The mixed media approach will create a visually striking display that sits alongside the other range of historic, modern and contemporary works currently on show inside the gallery.
This year’s themes include the environment and our relationship to it both past and present, global identities and culture, as well as health and wellbeing in the modern age.
- York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square, York, YO1 7EW
- From Fri 17 Jul
- 10am – 5pm
- More info
Dinosaur Adventure Live: Danger on T-Rex Mountain
A dinosaur show 65 million years in the making… Are you ready for the BRAND NEW adventure? Join the intrepid rangers on a quest to recover the data crystal, restore power to the island and save the Dinosaurs!
Stomp, Roar and Swish your tail as you are introduced to some of the most incredible species ever to have lived on planet Earth. An unforgettable Jurassic experience for all the family to enjoy.
Learn their history with our amazing Dino-facts, meet the beautiful baby dinosaurs and even feed them, but watch out…. you could be on the menu. Feel the excitement as you come face-to-face with a T-Rex and hear it’s roooooooarrrrrr!
- York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
- Sat 18 Jul
- 2:30pm
- More info
Tommy Banks Spinning Plates: LIVE!
Written and told by Michelin star chef Tommy Banks. Bringing his extraordinary story to stage for the first and only time.
Told across three intersecting timelines – the last 25 years, the defining 12 months, and the one day of opening night for his latest pub — each moment teeters on a knife-edge.
For one night only, Tommy shares an intimate lifetime of ambition, vulnerability, risk and pressure revealing the highs and lows of a life in hospitality.
Set against a turbulent backdrop, where soaring business rates and crushing VAT force three pubs to close every week, Tommy exposes the brutal reality of keeping the doors open.
- York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
- Fri 17 Jul
- 7:30pm
- More info
Elf Lyons is The Woman on the Edge (Work in Progress)
“I’m sorry, I’ve said too much…”
Elf Lyons is The Woman on the Edge. A completely normal, autobiographical (and in no way complex) – observational stand-up show about love. A perfect show to take yourself to.
Inspired by Vertigo, Apollo 13 the opera Pagliacci. Directed by Ingmar Bergman.
- Theatre@41, 41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB
- Fri 17 Jul
- 7:30pm
- More info
Paul Smith – Happy
Following sold-out runs and viral success across the globe, HAPPY takes Paul’s trademark crowd work, razor-sharp observations, and laugh-out-loud true stories to an entirely new level. This is stand-up at full throttle: fast, fearless, and relentlessly funny.
- Grand Opera House, York, Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW
- Fri 17 Jul
- 7:30pm
- More info
A Brief Case of Crazy
Inspired by the timeless genius of Mr Bean, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, A Brief Case of Crazy is a heart-warming and hilarious physical comedy told through slick choreography, mime, clowning and puppetry.
Meet Thomas, an awkward, introverted office worker with a quiet crush on his equally shy colleague, Daisy. His quest for love must contend with a boisterous boss named Simon and a rather bothersome briefcase that drags an awkward introvert into extraordinary events.
Will his quest for love fail? Or will he discover, it’s what’s on the inside that counts?
- York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
- Thu 16 – Sat 18 Jul
- 7pm (2pm Sat matinee)
- More info
York Summer Wellbeing Festival
Join us for a festival of wellbeing complete with wellbeing artisans, wellness retailers, holistic treatment providers, handcrafted artisan wares, spiritual readers, tarot, cakes and bakes, allergen friendly treats, on the day treatments and activities to give you a wonderful boost of summer wellness in the stunning, historic, picturesque and bustling city of York! Free entry for all wellbeing seekers/customers Free goodie bags
- Priory Street Centre, 15 Priory St, York YO1 6ET
- Sat 18 Jul
- 11am – 4pm
- More info
Headlock Vintage Clothing Sale
Headlock Vintage are back with their funky vintage pop up shop! Find gems from all of your favourite brands, including Adidas, Nike, Levi’s, Berghaus, The North Face and more! Expect Football Shirts, Sweats, Knitwear, Dresses, Denim and loads more!
- SPARK:York, 17-21 Piccadilly, York, YO1 9PB
- Fri 17 – Sun 19 Jul
- 10am – 6pm
- More info
A Decade In The Shaking! – 10 Years Of Burlesque
You’re invited to the naughtiest birthday party ever! Celebrate the 10th burlesque anniversary of eight of the UKs most decorated performers. From comedy to classic, and everything in-between.
Make a wish and blow – this line up is the birthday wish you’ve always wanted.
- The Crescent, 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW
- Fri 17 Jul
- 7:30pm
- More info
The Basement Comedy Club
Big screens. Bigger laughs. Join us at The Basement at City Screen Picturehouse for a monthly night of fresh comedy from some of the most exciting names in the game!
There’ll be quality jokes, plus delicious food and drink waiting at our bar. (If all else fails, you can at least go and see a film instead.)
Line-up: Nicola Mantalios, Aaron Simmonds, Lauren Pattison, MC: Aaron Wood
- The Basement, City Screen, 13-17 Coney St, York YO1 9QL
- Sun 19 Jul
- 6pm
- More info
York Stamp & Coin Fair
The York Stamp & Coin Fair has been running since the 1980s and continues to attract leading stamp, postal history, coin, banknote and medal dealers from around the world.
Visitors are welcome to come and browse, make purchases or simply learn more about these fascinating subjects. There are often specialist society meetings to which everyone is welcome, whether a member or not, where guest speakers discuss their particular interests and collections.
In addition, visitors are encouraged to bring their own collections for a professional valuation or, indeed, to sell.
- The Grandstand, York Racecourse, York, YO23 1EX
- Fri 17 – Sat 18 Jul
- 10am – 5pm
- More info
Airborne Forces Day
Hosted on behalf of the Parachute Regiment Association Yorkshire branches, this event is one of the largest gatherings of Airborne Forces veterans in the North of England. It brings together former members of the parachute regiment, airborne artillery, signals, medics and other support services for a brief parade and Service of Remembrance at 11.30 to remember comrades and friends who have served in Airborne forces since its creation in 1941.
- Eden Camp Modern History Museum, Malton, YO17 6RT
- Sat 18 Jul
- 10am – 5pm
- More info
Cinderella
The classic rags-to-riches fairy tale about a kind, mistreated young woman forced into servitude by her stepfamily.
With the help of a magical guardian fairy godmother, she attends a royal ball, captures the prince’s heart, but flees at midnight, leaving behind a slipper. The prince uses the slipper to find and marry her. This classic fairy tale features a cruel stepfamily, a magical fairy godmother, a prince and many more fairy tale characters.
Lots of different dance styles brings a fantastic and unique take on this classic.
- Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road, York, YO31 8TA
- Fri 17 – Sat 18 Jul
- 7pm
- More info
