Events

Nature Trail – Sat 28 Mar 2026

Dates: Saturday 28 March 2026–Sunday 6 September 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Nature Trail

Daily except Mondays, Tuesday – Sunday

Suitable for all ages

Collect a trail sheet from the Yorkshire Museum admissions desk | £1 per sheet

Enjoy the outdoors with our new self-led Nature Trail, taking you on a journey through the Museum Gardens to explore nature and wildlife.

Pick up your trail sheet from the Yorkshire Museum admissions desk and don’t forgot to collect a small chocolate treat once complete!

Museum admission is not required to take part in the outdoor trail. Please note, the Yorkshire Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday, so the Nature Trail is not available on Mondays.

Illustration credit: Nick Ellwood

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Dinosaur Backpacks – Sat 18 Jul 2026

Dates: Saturday 18 July 2026–Sunday 6 September 2026, 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Dinosaur Backpacks
Daily | 10am – 4.30pm
Recommended for 2 – 9 year olds
Included in general admission

Gain your spikes with our Dinosaur Backpacks! These adorable backpacks contain a selection of activities and prompts, including a dinosaur-themed book, a soft toy, a magnifying glass and other items to keep little explorers occupied.

Collect a backpack from the admissions desk and please return after use.

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Gallery Talks – Sat 18 Jul 2026

Dates: Saturday 18 July 2026–Sunday 6 September 2026, 1:00 pm-2:00 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Gallery Talks
Daily, except Mondays
1pm and 2pm
Included in general admission

Join a member of our Visitor Experience team for a short, insightful talk on their favourite artefact from the collection.

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Make and Play – Wed 22 Jul 2026

Dates: Wednesday 22 July 2026–Sunday 6 September 2026, 10:00 am-3:30 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Make and Play
Daily, except Wednesdays, from Thursday 23 July – Sunday 30 August 2026
10am – 3.30pm
Included in general admission

Drop into the Rec Room to enjoy self-led craft activities and play inspired by the Yorkshire Museum’s collections. Make a bug brooch or a piece of Viking-themed beaded jewellery.

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Meet Me at the Yorkshire Museum: Romans – Tue 11 Aug 2026

Date: Tuesday 11 August 2026, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Meet Me at the Yorkshire Museum: Romans
Tuesday 11 August 2026
Drop in between 11am – 4pm (Performances at 11am, 12 noon, 1.30pm and 2.30pm)
Included in general admission
Suitable for all ages

Have you ever wanted to meet a Roman? HistoryRiot return with another interactive storytelling experience, centred around life in Roman York.

Discover tales of the brave and bold, told by a Roman and set on a real Roman mosaic, through stories, games and laughter.

‘Meet me at the Yorkshire Museum’ is brought to you by HistoryRiot, a performance company connecting people to place and past, through riotous performance and storytelling.

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Community Birdwatching – Wed 12 Aug 2026

Date: Wednesday 12 August 2026, 12:00 am
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Community Birdwatching

Wednesday 12 August 2026 | 10:30-11:30 | Free

Join our Gardens Duty Manager Isabelle for a community bird watch, and spot some of the various bird species in the gardens.

Suitable for all ages, no pre booking required.

Please meet at the bird feeding station next to the rock garden.

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Creative Families – Wed 12 Aug 2026

Date: Wednesday 12 August 2026, 10:30 am-3:30 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Creative Families
Every Wednesday from 22 July – 26 August 2026
Drop in between 10.30am – 3.30pm
Included in general admission
Suitable for all ages

Join artist Lendita for a creative workshop where you’ll make your own hoard of treasure, inspired by our exhibition Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard.

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Art Outdoors – Thu 13 Aug 2026

Date: Thursday 13 August 2026, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Art Outdoors
Fortnightly on Thursdays from 30 July – 27 August 2026
Drop in between 11am – 4pm
Free*
Suitable for all ages
Come along to York Museum Gardens for an outdoor play activity, inspired by the Yorkshire Museum’s exhibition, Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard.

*Please note, this activity is weather dependent.  In the case of bad weather, the activity may take place indoors, but general admission charges apply.

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Meet Me at the Yorkshire Museum: Romans – Fri 14 Aug 2026

Date: Friday 14 August 2026, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Meet Me at the Yorkshire Museum: Romans
Friday 14 August 2026
Drop in between 11am – 4pm (Performances at 11am, 12 noon, 1.30pm and 2.30pm)
Included in general admission
Suitable for all ages

Have you ever wanted to meet a Roman? HistoryRiot return with another interactive storytelling experience, centred around life in Roman York.

Discover tales of the brave and bold, told by a Roman and set on a real Roman mosaic, through stories, games and laughter.

‘Meet me at the Yorkshire Museum’ is brought to you by HistoryRiot, a performance company connecting people to place and past, through riotous performance and storytelling.

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Evening in the Gardens – Fri 14 Aug 2026

Date: Friday 14 August 2026, 6:30 pm-9:30 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Evening in the Gardens

Friday 14 August 2026
6.30pm – 9.30pm
Tickets £7.50 per person (includes a complimentary cocktail on arrival) | Book Tickets

Suitable for ages 18+

York Museum Gardens

Experience York Museum Gardens like never before on a summer evening in one of York’s most beautiful settings.

Enjoy private access to the picturesque grounds and unwind to ambient music as the sun goes down. Soak up the atmosphere as you take a leisurely stroll through the historic grounds and treat yourself to delicious street food and drinks from the bar.

This experience is perfect for friends, couples and anyone looking to enjoy a memorable evening in one of the city’s most loved green spaces.

Event information:

Bringing your own food and drink is not permitted. A selection of street food vendors and a fully stocked bar will be available on site. Seating is limited, with only a small number of tables and benches available in the Gardens, please feel free to bring a picnic blanket or camping chair for your comfort.

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