Special Offers, Events & News

Award winning modern grandstands, characterful Listed buildings, manicured lawns and home grown flowers set the scene for some of the best racing in the UK.

2015 Fixtures:

• Dante Festival
  Wed 13th May – Tattersalls Musidora Stakes
  Thu 14th May – Betfred Dante Stakes
  Fri 15th May – Yorkshire Cup
• May Spring meeting
  Sat 30th May – Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup
• June Meeting
  Fri 12th Jun – Mid Summer Raceday
  Sat 13th Jun – Macmillan Charity Raceday
• John Smith’s Cup Meeting
  Fri 10th Jul – Summer Stakes
  Sat 11th Jul – 56th John Smith’s Cup
• Music Showcase Weekend
  Fri (eve) 24th Jul – EBF Lyric Stakes and live music
  Sat 25th Jul – Sky Bet York Stakes and live music
• Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival
  Wed 19th Aug – Juddmonte International
  Thu 20th Aug – Darley Yorkshire Oaks
  Fri 21st Aug – Coolmore Nunthorpe
  Sat 22nd Aug – Betfred Ebor
• September Meeting
  Sun 6th Sep – Press Family raceday
• October
  Fri 9th Oct – October Finale Stakes
  Sat 10th Oct – Coral Sprint Trophy

A city-wide celebration of York’s Viking heritage, in the largest Viking festival in Europe! 14–22 Feb 2015.

A week of festivities beginning on Valentine’s Day with a Viking wedding feast in the Merchant Taylor’s Hall, and ending with a dramatic grand finale on the Eye of York.  Other events include:

• a battle between fire and ice giants in the Guildhall
• a retelling of the rise of Odin as the greatest god of all
• the annual search for Jorvik’s strongest Viking
• talks from experts in Viking archaeology
• family programmes
• a folk festival at the Barley Hall

The full festival programme and ticket sales are online at www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk

The 3 day event is held every Easter and the show is considered one of railway modelling’s best events. Sat 19 – Mon 21 Apr 2014.

Held across three floors of the Knavesmire Stand at York Racecourse the show is the North’s premier event, and at three days, one of the longest running Shows in the Country. Experience working layouts, trade displays, specialist societies and more.

For more info visit yorkshow.org.uk.

Easter Sunday 2014 is April 20th. Schools break up on Friday 11th April and return on Monday 28th April.

What’s happening in York:

• Easter at the Castle Museum – Sat 5 – Mon 21 Apr 2014
  Easter Egg hunt and a host of traditional activities.
• Chocolate Easter Egg Master Class at York Cocoa House – Sun 6 – Sat 12 Apr 2014
  Learn how to professionally temper chocolate and make professional moulded Easter Eggs.
• Cadbury Easter Egg Trail at Beningbrough Hall – Fri 18 – Mon 21 Apr 2014
  Search the gardens and hall to solve the clues and earn your Cadbury Egghead prize.
• Easter services at York Minster
  York Minster is open daily throughout the Lent and Easter.

We will add more events as they become known! Book your stay now to avoid disappointment.

York Literature Festival returns for its seventh outing this March (Thu 20 – Mon 31 Mar 2014).

With a fantastic range of author events, workshops, walks and talks. Headline acts include feminist and broadcaster Germaine Greer, poet and author Andrew Motion, Liverpudlian hero Roger McGough and more.  It’s a festival in one of the UK’s most beautiful cities. A celebration of nationally respected writers, as well as writers with York-connections. The festival offers workshops and open-mics for local people as well as the chance to see famous writerstalk about their work. Over 50 events across the city.

‘It’s a great line-up for 2014,’ says Festival Director Miles Salter. ‘There’s a real range of quality events as part of the festival, and tickets are selling already.’

Get set for the biggest and best Viking festival yet! Sat 15 – Sun 23 Feb 2014.

The festival is set up in tradition of the ancient Viking festival known as “Jolablot”. The festival includes Combat re-enactment involving volunteers from all over the world. The JORVIK Viking Centre has created over 80 unique events to celebrate the 30th year of York’s Viking takeover.

Incorporating the two weekends of the school half-term break, the JORVIK Group has organised Viking themed events throughout the city. Tickets to some events are sold on the door but the best way to ensure you are part of JORVIK Viking Festival is  to book in advance.

Enjoy explosive eye popping bonfire night celebrations in York; The birthplace of Guy Fawkes.

What’s on:

• Selby Bonfire
  At Selby Community Centre Land. There is a fairground and food/drinks available. Gates open at 6.00pm. The bonfire is lit at 6.30pm with the first fireworks being let off at 7.00pm. Attendance is free.
• South Milford bonfire and firework display
  Widely regarded as the biggest firework display in North Yorkshire now in its 21st year. Tickets £6.
• Kaboom Firework Party
  The explosive 3D firework display features fully choreographed fireworks and lasers together with music and entertainment including fire jugglers and carnival performers. Adults £12.50, Children £9.50. www.kaboomyork.com
• Fireworks Spectacular at York Maze
  Spectacular fireworks and music show. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Adults £12.95, children £9.95 (under 3s go free).  www.yorkmaze.com
• James Bond Themed Evening at The Bumper Castle Inn
  Enjoy fireworks set to theme tunes from throughout the years of Bond! Tickets cost £5.00 and include 1 under 16 entry with every adult ticket bought. Fireworks begin 8:30pm. www.optimum-fireworks.co.uk