May 2025 Half Term in York: A Local’s Guide to Family Fun
Some of our favourite things to do in York this Half Term.
Eboracum Roman Festival
Various locations across York
19–31 May
Relive Roman York with an immersive living history camp, full-costume parades, and lectures from notable historians like Professor Mary Beard. Kids will love meeting real-life reenactors and discovering Roman life through interactive displays.
York Designer Outlet: Half-Term Fun & Late-Night Shopping
York Designer Outlet
24 May – 1 June | 9am–10pm (Late-night shopping: 29–30 May)
Discover garden games like giant draughts and table tennis, plus a covered play area and mini McArthurGlen cars for hire. For shopping enthusiasts, over 100 stores await with discounts up to 60% off RRP. On 29–30 May, enjoy an extra 20% off select brands, live music, face painting, a Buzz & Bloom kids trail, and the YorkMix 'Drop to Win' game with prizes.
Into the Light: Black British Ballet Stories
York Explore Library + other venues
2–31 May
An innovative exhibition celebrating Britain’s Black ballet dancers, with half-term workshops including storytelling, dance, VR and photography.
Family Fun Highlights
Magical Owl Trail – Shambles Market
24 May – 1 June | All day
Pick up a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre and find owl models hidden throughout Shambles Market. Return your completed sheet for a chance to win a Wizard Walk family tour.
Oxygen York – 90 for 60
24 May – 1 June | 9am–7pm
Enjoy 90 minutes of trampoline and soft play fun for the price of 60. More bounce for your buck!
Tommy Treebark’s Wild Adventure
York City Centre | Until 14 September | All day
Find 50 Yorkshire animals on benches across York city centre. Complete the trail to win a prize. Great for nature lovers and explorers.
Web Adventure Park
24 May – 1 June | 9:30am–6pm
From foam zones and indoor play to rollercoaster rides and live shows by Dazzling Darren, this is a full-on family fun park.
WizardFest 2025
Various venues | 24–26 May
York’s first wizarding festival features magical tours, crafts, wizard-themed food & drink, and a host of fantastical fun.
Theatre & Music
Princess Live! – Joseph Rowntree Theatre
26 May | From 9:30am
A pop concert twist on fairytale princesses. Musical theatre meets girl-power with dazzling costumes and dance.
Hoglets Theatre: Wood Owl & the Box of Wonders
Tang Hall, 27 May | 11am
A gentle puppet show about love and self-discovery with handmade characters and magical songs.
Wonders of Our Universe – Grand Opera House
27 May | 7pm
Breathtaking visuals and a live soundtrack bring space science to life. A family-friendly astronomy experience.
York Theatre Royal TakeOver 2025
27–31 May
Run by university students, this festival offers original performances and hands-on theatre experiences for all.
Carnival of the Animals – York Minster
28 May | 7pm
A narrated performance of Saint-Saëns’ work on York Minster’s grand organ, perfect for kids new to classical music.
Crafts & Workshops
York’s Chocolate Story Masterclasses
24 May – 1 June
Join chocolate-making sessions, taste local creations and explore York’s sweet past.
Make a Magical Familiar – Barley Hall
24–26 May | 11am–3pm
Craft your own mythical companion in this folklore-themed workshop using clay and imagination.
Build a Bird Library – Acomb Explore
24–26 May | 10:30am
Kids can decorate mini bird houses to take home and place in gardens or parks to spot feathered visitors.
More Half-Term Fun
York RLFC Foundation Free Sessions
Various locations | 27–30 May
Free play sessions, sports, and snacks for kids supported by local community funds.
Magical Night Market – Shambles Market
26 May | 7:30pm
A twilight market experience with fairy lights, artisan stalls, and hot street food – perfect for a magical evening stroll.
Whether you’re seeking historical adventures, magical experiences, hands-on creativity, or just some good old-fashioned family fun, York has something for everyone this May half term. With so many events and activities across the city and surrounding areas, it’s the perfect opportunity to get out, explore, and make memories together. So grab your calendar, plan your week, and dive into the half-term magic and as always if you are coming to York to munch on an ice cream and need a place to stay then check out our 3 holiday homes at www.houseofyork.org
Want to read more for your next visit to York?
Then download a free copy of our book York Local Knowledge Must-do Top Tens & the vouchers to get them for less where you will discover the historic UK city of York like a local with tips, top tens, and guidance on where to find the best discounts and vouchers, so you can experience it all without breaking the bank!
You can download it for free from the Apple iBooks Store here
You can download it for free from the Google Play Books Store here
This isn’t your average guidebook—it’s a laugh-out-loud, down-to-earth companion, packed with top-ten lists covering everything from essential attractions and hidden gems to entertainment, dining spots, walks, tours, festivals, and shopping, all enriched with a local’s insider knowledge.
With insights, amusing anecdotes, and a sprinkling of puns and dad jokes, Alistair’s love letter to York will help you see the city in a whole new way. Grab a copy and start planning the York adventure you didn’t know you were missing!
With over 240 pages, this guide is ideal for families and groups of friends planning a trip to York and includes:
Up-to-date information on everything in the ever-changing city of York—this is the 2025 edition.
Top ten lists of York’s best tourist attractions, entertainment spots, food and drink, walks, tours, festivals, and independent shops.
Beautiful photography accompanying every recommendation.
Answers to visitors’ top questions, from “Where’s the best place for ice cream?” to “Where can I find a great takeaway curry?”
Recommendations on where locals go for up-to-date information about York.
The best places to stay, from five-star hotels to holiday homes and houseboats.
Details on where to find discounts and vouchers for York restaurants, attractions, and experiences.
Want to hear a great podcast about York?
A fab podcast for tourists and locals looking to find out more about York History, must do York Top 10's and money saving tips to do it all for less.
Just search your podcast app for York Must Do Top 10s or click on this link for the show on apple podcast here
Book one of our Holiday Homes for your next trip to York
Are you looking for a great place to stay for your next trip to York. All 3 of our holiday homes are next door to each other which means you can hire them individually for up to 6 people or together for up to 12 (107 & 109 together) or even 18 people (Spencer House & 107 & 109 together).
To check availability and book just visit www.houseofyork.org
We pride ourselves on being couples and family friendly and we try to take any of the stress out of your stay so you can focus on enjoying yourselves and magnificent York.