York Chocolate Festival 2025
Your Ultimate Guide to the Sweetest Event of the Year
Get ready, York! The city’s most delectable event, the York Chocolate Festival, is making its grand return this Easter. From this Wednesday, 16 April to Sunday, 20 April 2025, Parliament Street and St Crux Hall will transform into a chocolate lover’s paradise, celebrating York’s rich confectionery heritage.
Festival Highlights
Chocolate Festival Market: Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, this market will feature a wide array of baked goods and sweet treats. Don’t forget your shopping bag! 
Easter Egg Chocolate Bar Making: Join the team from York Cocoa Works in the Activity Marquee on Parliament Street to mould and decorate your own 30g Easter Egg Chocolate Bar. Sessions run daily from 10 am to 4 pm and cost £5. 
Live Chocolate Sculpting: Watch as Ashley McCarthy brings chocolate creations to life with live sculpting demonstrations. 
Chocolate & Co Café: Relax at the festival café in St Crux Hall, operated by the charity partner Chocolate & Co, which supports individuals overcoming employment barriers. 
The Chocolate Bar: Enjoy classic and chocolate-infused beverages at the dedicated bar and café on Parliament Street. 
Family-Friendly Activities:
Easter Egg Painting: A fun activity for children to unleash their creativity.
‘Eggs and Bunnies’ Game: A twist on the classic game of Skittles, suitable for all ages.
City Centre Easter Egg Hunt: Embark on a large-scale hunt across the city centre, perfect for families.
Special Events:
Chocolate and Cheese Tasting: Experience a unique pairing at Love Cheese on Gillygate.
Chocolate Trail: Participate in guided tours and mini tastings throughout the city, ideal for adults and older children.
Festival with a Purpose:
This year, the festival is proud to collaborate with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Rowntree Society to commemorate the centenary of York philanthropist Joseph Rowntree. Informational displays and a dedicated event on Saturday, 19 April will highlight his contributions.
Plan Your Visit:
Dates: 16–20 April 2025 
Location: Parliament Street and St Crux Hall, York 
Entry: Free (some activities may require a fee) 
For more information and to book tickets for select events, visit the York Food Festival website.
Don’t miss out on this indulgent celebration of all things chocolate in the heart of York and don’t forget if you need a place to stay during your trip, then just visit our website www.houseofyork.org and book:
- one of our homes for up to six people
- two of our homes for up to 12 people
- or all three together for up to 18 people
Rather conveniently, all our houses are next door to each other!
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.