A Summer of Discovery at the Yorkshire Museum

18 July – 6 September 2026 | Book Tickets

Discover thousands of years of Yorkshire’s history this summer with interactive storytelling, creative workshops, hands-on activities and family adventures at the Yorkshire Museum.

Meet fascinating historical characters, uncover prehistoric fossils, create your own treasures inspired by ancient hoards, explore the beautiful Museum Gardens and discover something new every time you visit.

Even better, your admission ticket is valid for 12 months, so you can return again and again to enjoy different summer activities throughout the season.

What’s On This Summer

Meet Me at the Yorkshire Museum

Every Tuesday & Friday
21 July – 28 August 2026
Drop in between 11am – 4pm
(Performances at 11am, 12 noon, 1.30pm and 2.30pm)

Included with general admission
Suitable for all ages

Join HistoryRiot for interactive storytelling performances throughout the summer.

Meet Mary Anning

21, 24, 28 & 31 July
7, 18, 21, 25 & 28 August

Meet renowned fossil hunter Mary Anning, hear the stories behind her incredible discoveries and handle fossils and rocks that reveal Yorkshire’s prehistoric past.

Meet a Roman

4, 11 & 14 August

Step back nearly 2,000 years and meet a Roman from Eboracum. Discover what life was like in Roman York through interactive storytelling.

Creative Families

Every Wednesday
22 July – 26 August 2026
Drop in between 10.30am – 3.30pm

Included with general admission
Suitable for all ages

Join artist Lendita for a hands-on creative workshop where you’ll create your own treasure inspired by Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard.

Art Outdoors

Fortnightly Thursdays
30 July – 27 August 2026
Drop in between 11am – 4pm

Free
Suitable for all ages

Enjoy outdoor creative activities in the Museum Gardens inspired by Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard.

Please note: This activity is weather dependent. In poor weather, activities may move indoors, where general museum admission charges will apply.

Every Day at the Yorkshire Museum

Alongside our scheduled events, there’s even more to enjoy throughout the summer.

Dinosaur Backpacks

Daily | 10am – 4.30pm

Recommended for children aged 2–9 years.

Collect one of our Dinosaur Backpacks from the admissions desk and become a prehistoric explorer! Each backpack contains activities, a dinosaur storybook, a soft toy, a magnifying glass and more to help little adventurers discover the museum.

Nature Trail

Daily (except Mondays) | 10am – 4.30pm

Explore the Museum Gardens with our self-led Nature Trail and discover the wildlife that calls them home.

Trail sheets are available from the admissions desk for £1 each. Museum admission is not required to take part.

Make and Play

Daily (except Wednesdays from 22 July) | 10am – 5pm

Drop into the Rec Room for self-led crafts inspired by the Yorkshire Museum’s collections. Create a bug brooch or Viking-inspired beaded jewellery before enjoying imaginative play.

Museum Talks

Daily | Times advertised on the day

Join a member of our Visitor Experience team for a short talk highlighting one of their favourite objects from the museum’s fascinating collections.

Visit Again and Again

Pay once. Visit free for 12 months.

Your Yorkshire Museum admission ticket includes unlimited visits for a whole year, so there’s no need to fit everything into one day. Come back throughout the summer to enjoy different storytellers, workshops and activities.

The Yorkshire Museum is open Tuesday–Sunday (closed Mondays).

Family Saver tickets are available.

Book your tickets today and enjoy a Summer of Discovery at the Yorkshire Museum.