The year in York
The big moments of the year in York: York Christmas Market, JORVIK Viking Festival, Colour & Light and more, with their dates.
York Christmas Market
The city's Christmas market on Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square, open from 10.30 am to 7 pm Wednesday to Monday. The council is trying a Tuesday rest day in 2026, so the market is closed on Tuesdays.
JORVIK Viking Festival
The 2027 festival is Vikings v Normans: a Viking encampment on Parliament Street, the Viking Games, a battle at the Eye of York and a traders' market. Many activities are free, and the ticketed events sell out early.
Colour & Light
A free evening projection show on York Castle Museum and Clifford's Tower, looping every ten minutes from 6 to 9 pm. The 2026 run was 4 to 22 February; the 2027 dates are not announced yet.
York Chocolate Festival
Chocolate events across the city around Easter, in the town of Rowntree's and Terry's. In 2026 it ran from 1 to 5 April.
Dante Festival
Three days of racing on the Knavesmire from Wednesday to Friday in May, with the Musidora Stakes, the Dante Stakes and the Yorkshire Cup among the races.
York Pride
York's Pride parade and festival on a Saturday in early June. The organisers have announced the date; the 2027 programme is not published yet.
York Festival of Ideas
Two weeks of talks, performances, exhibitions and tours led by the University of York, with more than 200 events, mostly free.
York Early Music Festival
A week of concerts run by the National Centre for Early Music, which also runs the venue in St Margaret's Church.
Ebor Festival
Four days at York Racecourse from Wednesday to Saturday in August, with the Juddmonte International, the Yorkshire Oaks, the Nunthorpe Stakes and the Ebor Handicap among the races.
Heritage Open Days
Free access to buildings and tours that are closed or ticketed the rest of the year, over ten days every September. The national festival has announced its 2027 dates; York's programme is published nearer the time.
York Food and Drink Festival
Ten days across two weekends, with a daily food market on Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square and events around the city. In 2026 it ran from 18 to 27 September.
Yorkshire Marathon
The marathon and a 10-mile race are run on the same Sunday in October, starting and finishing at the University of York's Heslington campus. Run For All lists both for 17 October 2027.
