Who’s looking forward to the weekend?
Music legends Nile Rodgers & Chic and Richard Hawley are Live at York Museum Gardens, comedy icons Dara Ó Briain and Katherine Ryan are headlining the inaugural York Comedy Festival, family favourite Cop Carnival is back, iconic retro games will be brought to life in The Actual Reality Arcade, and much more fun.
Take a look at our full guide below.
What’s on in York this weekend, Friday 4 – Sunday 6 July
Live at York Museum Gardens
After last year’s inaugural concert weekend was a sell-out success, Live at York Museum Gardens is back for even more incredible live music under the sky. Headliners for the 2025 concert series are Elbow, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, and Richard Hawley.
- York Museum Gardens, Museum Street, York YO1 7FR
- Thu 3 – Sat 5 Jul
- 5pm
- More info
York Comedy Festival
As part of the Live At York Museum Gardens series is the first York Comedy Festival that promises to be a day of hilarious, award-winning comedy. It features a stacked line-up of nine comedians – co-headlined by comedy legends Dara Ó Briain and Katherine Ryan and includes Maisie Adam, Joel Dommett, Clinton Baptiste, Angelos Epithemiou, Vittorio Angelone, Scott Bennett, and host Stephen Bailey.
- York Museum Gardens, Museum Street, York YO1 7FR
- Sun 6 Jul
- 2:30pm
- More info
Cop’ Carnival
Cop’ Carnival is now in its 56th Year! We welcome the Live Music and Dance troupes on the main stage, free kids entertainment, attractions, rides, stalls to name a few things!
- Copmanthorpe Recreation Centre, Barons Cres, Copmanthorpe, York YO23 3YR
- Sat 5 Jul
- 11:30am – 7pm
- More info
The Actual Reality Arcade
Parliament Street will be transformed into The Actual Reality Arcade – a hands-on experience where iconic retro games are brought to life. Become the player in 7 larger-than-life games from a huge-scale laser run, a giant Tetris wall, and whack-a-mole with human volunteers! Visitors can get their face painted and meet representatives from the local police and fire service, check out the emergency vehicles, and discover how York’s first responders keep the city safe.
- Parliament Street, York
- Sat 5 Jul
- 11am – 5pm
- More info
Merchant Adventurers’ Charity Beer Festival
The Merchant Adventurers’ Charity Beer Festival is back. Taking place at the stunning Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, the festival will be split across four sessions. The event is a unique opportunity to take in the historic setting, whilst enjoying some of the best beers, ales, lagers and ciders from over 30 breweries.
- Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, Fossgate, York, YO1 9XD
- Fri 4 – Sat 5 Jul
- Multiple times
- More info
York Early Music Festival
York Early Music Festival is back for 2025! The festival intertwines three very different themes: the music of Renaissance composer Orlando Gibbons – opening with Fretwork (Fri 4); the genius of the Baroque with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (Sun 6) presented in fine style by the French-based Le Consort and rising-star violinist Theotime Langlois de Swarte and the strand that gives us this year’s title, a reflection on man’s fall from grace – from Heaven to Hell – with YEMF Artistic Adviser Helen Charlston and lutenist Toby Carr (Wed 9).
Guest artists also include The Tallis Scholars (Sat 5) and The Sixteen (Mon 7) sharing their programmes in the glorious surroundings of York Minster; the Spanish ensemble Cantoria (Tues 8) and Swiss based medievalists Sollazzo (Thurs 10) and we finish the festival with a flourish in the company of The Academy of Ancient Music and their leader violinist Bojan Cicic (Fri 11).
- Various venues
- Fri 4 – Fri 11 Jul
- Multiple times
- More info
Homestead Park Festival: Here is Hope
Join us for a joyful free weekend of music, creativity, and connection in the beautiful Homestead Park – a space gifted to the people of York over a century ago. We’re honouring the park’s legacy of generosity and community spirit with the Homestead Park Festival: Here is Hope – reviving the tradition of the much-loved family carnivals once held right here.
- Homestead Park, 40 Water End, York YO30 6WP
- Sat 5 – Sun 6 Jul
- 10am – 8pm (Sat) & 10am – 6pm (Sun)
- More info
Adult Night at Web Adventure Park
Who says kids get to have all the fun? Get ready for the most outrageous, nostalgic, and thrill-packed night of your adult life! Expect grown-up games, bananas bingo, fairground rides, a laser tag showdown and foam party finale. Get Half Price Entry into the Adult Night at Web Adventure Park with YorkMix vouchers!
- Web Adventure Park, Wigginton Road, York, YO32 2RH
- Sat 5 Jul
- 7-11pm
- More info
City of York’s Armed Forces Day Celebration
City of York Council is proud to host an Armed Forces Day celebration on Saturday 5 July, when the city will honour past, present and future members of our armed forces community. This year’s event, open to all, promises a fantastic mix of activities, support and exclusive offers right in the heart of York.
- West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA
- Sat 5 Jul
- 10am – 4pm
- More info
Burn The Floor Presents – DIANNE AND VITO – Red Hot and Ready!
2024 Strictly Come Dancing winner Dianne Buswell and 2023 winner Vito Coppola have come together to light up the stages across the country this summer with their sizzling new show ‘Dianne & Vito: Red Hot and Ready! The dynamic duo bring their talent and passion to Red Hot and Ready! – a dance show-with-a-difference created by BAFTA award recipient and world-renowned choreographer Jason Gilkison. This is a dance Dream Team not to be missed!
- York Barbican, Paragon St, York, YO10 4AH
- Sun 6 Jul
- 7:30pm
- More info
90 Years in 90 Minutes
Since its doors first opened in 1935, the theatre has stood as a home for a multitude of events, bringing to life an array of musicals. Step back in time with us and relive nearly 90 years of history, as we share the incredible journey of our beloved theatre. Accompanied by iconic songs from the shows that have taken to its stage, this celebration will transport you through the very heart of its legacy.
- Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road, York, YO31 8TA
- Fri 4 – Sat 5 Jul
- 7:30pm
- More info
The Koala Who Could
Join Kevin the koala, King of the staying-still-kings, and his friends kangaroo and wombat in an Australian Outback adventure, as they learn that “life can be great when you try something new!”
Based on the award-winning book by Rachel Bright & Jim Field published by Hachette Children’s Group, this brand-new adaptation for stage is directed by Emma Earle (Oi Frog & Friends!), with music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer (The Lion Inside).
- York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
- Thu 3 – Sat 5 Jul
- Multiple times
- More info
The Escape Club
At Escape Club HQ we always feel the summer one is the best. Please join us for our usual night of high exuberance. Big fun is a near certainty.
- The Crescent, 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW
- Sat 5 Jul
- 8pm
- More info
The Quakerwood & Trilogy Toys Summer Fair 2025
The Quakerwood and Trilogy Toys will take over the car park and bring you some of the best, local stalls, games and activities!
- The Quakerwood, Acomb Wood Drive, York, YO24 3XN
- Sat 5 Jul
- 11am – 4pm
- More info
Script Factor 2025 Final
The culmination of this year’s 15 minute play-writing competition. The five winners of our separate heats go head to head with a new play written especially for the final. The theme for the final will be revealed after our fifth heat in May. Unlike in our heats the actors will have had a little rehearsal, but they’ll still have scripts in hand and the excitement will be palpable.
The evening’s winner will be chosen by an audience vote, and competition will be fierce. Come along to experience five completely different short plays, and if previous years are anything to go by, you’ll be entertained by a mix of drama and comedy by some of the region’s finest writers.
- Theatre@41, 41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB
- Sun 6 Jul
- 7:30pm
- More info
