York Residents’ Festival returns for 2026 – with exclusive offers and discounts

York Residents’ Festival is back for 2026!

Once again it will offer locals free entry to city’s top attractions, and exclusive offers on food, retail and unique experiences across the city.  

Organised by Make It York, the annual festival is a thank you to residents who share the city with York’s millions of visitors throughout the year – giving them the chance to explore the city’s attractions, enjoy fantastic food and support local businesses.

It returns on Saturday 31 January to Sunday 1 February 2026.

The list of offers will go live at the Visit York website on Friday 9 January from 12pm.

For the second year running, there will be a launch for experiences requiring pre-booking so that residents can book tickets online for a variety of attractions, allowing you to secure your spots ahead of the festival weekend.  

This includes York Museums Trust offering free entry to York Castle Museum, York Art Gallery and The Yorkshire Museum, as well as the National Trust offering free entry to Treasurer’s House.

Ahead of the full list of offers launching next week, here’s a glimpse at some of the iconic attractions and experiences that will be opening their doors for free for Residents’ Weekend:

• Beningbrough Hall
• Treasurers’ House  
• Goddards
• The Potions Academy
• Merchant Taylors’ Hall
• Clifford’s Tower
• Tours of Holy Trinity Goodramgate and a free guidebook
• Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
• Fairfax House  
• The Hole In Wand
• York Cold War Bunker
• Thin Ice Press: the York Centre for Print
• York Medical Society
• Fishergate Postern Tower
• York Minster’s new exhibition ‘St William of York: Life and Legacy’

For those wanting to explore the city they call home, Go Quest Adventures are offering 50% off their self-guided tour and York residents can enjoy 50% off tickets for York Guided Historic Pub Walk, helping you discover an alternative history of York.

If you love craft, design, creativity and heritage, you’ll love Rainbow Ceramics who are offering 20% off pottery painting.

Food and drink lovers can enjoy exclusive discounts at some of York’s most-loved eateries. Treat yourself to 10% off at Love Cheese and The Speakcheesey, as well as 20% off at Caffe Massarella and 10% off at The Potions Express, at York Railway Station.

York’s Chocolate Story is offering 200 free tickets over the weekend (100 each day), as well as 25% off their classic guided tours. York Gin are offering 20% off in store, as well as 10% off refills of their award-winning gins.

For music and shows, The Black Swan Inn are putting on a free concert for York residents, as well as The Bar Convent hosting a fascinating Q&A with Sydney Thorne. For a delightful musical adventure for children and families, get 25% off tickets to Ruby’s Worry at National Centre for Early Music, a family concert told through live music, song, puppetry and physical theatre.

Shopping offers include Avorium giving away a free pen pot with every purchase, and 10% off at Lucy Pittaway where you can discover the vibrant world of the award-winning artist. The Potions Cauldron at the Shambles are offering 10% off all purchases, including magical treats and drinks.

Enjoy a unique staycation at The Bar Convent, who are offering 20% off bookings made during York Residents’ Festival.

Sarah Loftus, managing director of Make It York, said: “York Residents’ Festival is the perfect opportunity to rediscover the city you call home.

“With so many offers, free tickets and brilliant experiences, make the most of this amazing weekend available to all residents and explore everything on offer – don’t miss out!”