THECITYBRIEF

York

What's On in York – Events This Week & Things To Do

York right now: 37 events this week · across 8 venues · 5 categories

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You know that feeling when you're walking past Bootham Bar or along the City Walls and realise how much history is embedded in these stones? York's got layers, Roman Eboracum, medieval markets, chapels tucked behind the Minster, valleys rolling out towards Rosedale and Eskdale. The problem is, the best local happenings get lost in social media noise. Events, openings, seasonal gems, they're all out there, scattered across different groups and feeds. The City Brief cuts through that. Each week, we bring the signal straight to your inbox: what's actually worth your time in York and beyond, no scrolling required.

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Events in York This Weekend

Anything For Love - The Meat Loaf Story

· Pocklington Arts Centre · Nightlife & Music

A tribute show to Meat Loaf performs at the Scarborough Spa Grand Hall.

Yorkshire Heart Beer Festival, Nun Monkton, York

· Yorkshire Heart Vineyard, Brewery and Wine House Cafe · Food & Drink

Yorkshire Heart Beer Festival features local brews and ciders at Yorkshire Heart Vineyard, Brewery, and Wine House Cafe.

Rosenborg vs Man United

· Manchester United · Fitness & Outdoors

Rosenborg hosts Manchester United in a friendly football match at Rosenborg stadium.

Music Showcase Weekend - Ebf Lyric Stakes And Live Music

· Nightlife & Music

Live music performances at York Racecourse during EBF Lyric Stakes weekend event.

View all events this weekend →

Events in York This Week

The Rocky Horror Show

· Grand Opera House, York · Culture & Arts

The iconic musical 'The Rocky Horror Show' returns to the Grand Opera House York for performances from 20 July to 25 July 2026.

York Stage School - Showcase

· Grand Opera House, York · Culture & Arts

York Stage School students perform a showcase at the Grand Opera House York.

Two Out of Character Theatre Company

· Culture & Arts

Two Out Of Character Theatre Company performs at York's The Crescent venue.

The Hiking Organist Day 2: Heslington Church - Alex Woodrow Plays Bach…

· Culture & Arts

Organist Alex Woodrow performs classical music by Bach, Mendelssohn, Vierne, Wesley, and Widor at Heslington Church.

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Explore Events by Category

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Upcoming Events by Category

Culture & Arts

Out of Character Theatre Company: 'Two' - Show 3

· The Crescent · Culture & Arts

The Out of Character Theatre Company presents their third show, 'Two', at The Crescent.

Scarborough Spa Orchestra Morning Concert

· Pocklington Arts Centre · Culture & Arts

Scarborough Spa Orchestra performs classical music at Suncourt.

Cemetery Sports People Guided Walk

· Cemetery Road Playground · Culture & Arts

Guided walk exploring the history of York Cemetery.

Tornado: The Steam Superstar is Back at The Nymr

· Pocklington Arts Centre · Culture & Arts

Steam locomotive Tornado returns for a showcase at the NYMR.

Out of Character Theatre Company: 'Two' - Show 4

· Pocklington Arts Centre · Culture & Arts

The Out of Character Theatre Company presents the fourth performance of 'Two' at Whitby Pavilion Theatre Cinema.

View all Culture & Arts events →

Family & Kids

Free Children's Playground to Open in York City Centre

· All Saints Church, York · Family & Kids

A free children's playground opens in York city centre for young visitors and families.

Goldilocks And The Three Bears - aj

· Pocklington Arts Centre · Family & Kids

Children's play 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' takes place at the Forum.

Yorkshire Day Family Fun Festival

· Pocklington Arts Centre · Family & Kids

Yorkshire Day Family Fun Festival offers children's activities at Carlton Towers.

View all Family & Kids events →

Fitness & Outdoors

Rosenborg vs Man United

· Manchester United · Fitness & Outdoors

Rosenborg hosts Manchester United in a friendly football match at Rosenborg stadium.

Britain's Strongest Woman (Bsw) 2026

· Fitness & Outdoors

Britain's Strongest Woman 2026 competition returns to York Barbican with elite strength athletes.

Pre-season: Harrogate Town vs Doncaster Rovers

· Big Top - Harrogate · Fitness & Outdoors

Pre-season football fixture between Harrogate Town and Doncaster Rovers at Race HQ Galtres Centre.

View all Fitness & Outdoors events →

Food & Drink

Yorkshire Heart Beer Festival, Nun Monkton, York

· Yorkshire Heart Vineyard, Brewery and Wine House Cafe · Food & Drink

Yorkshire Heart Beer Festival features local brews and ciders at Yorkshire Heart Vineyard, Brewery, and Wine House Cafe.

A Quirky New History of York: Book Launch

· All Saints Church, York · Food & Drink

Author launches a humorous history book at Black Swan Pub in York.

View all Food & Drink events →

Nightlife & Music

Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes

· Nightlife & Music

Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes perform at York's Rise @ Bluebird with their acclaimed folk-country music.

Anything For Love - The Meat Loaf Story

· Pocklington Arts Centre · Nightlife & Music

A tribute show to Meat Loaf performs at the Scarborough Spa Grand Hall.

View all Nightlife & Music events →

Shopping & Markets

A Special Four-day Market is Coming to York

· All Saints Church, York · Shopping & Markets

A four-day market event is scheduled to take place in York from July 30 to August 2, 2026.

View all Shopping & Markets events →

Things to do in York

What's on in York offers a wide range of activities throughout the year. Whether you're looking for things to do in York or searching for events in York, you'll find everything from food festivals and theatre performances to live music and family activities. The site helps you find events this week and events this weekend across the city, making it easy to plan your visits regardless of when you want to explore.

York hosts a range of cultural experiences year-round. You can find theatre productions at venues like the Theatre Royal, enjoy live music at St Margaret's Church, or take part in food and drink events that showcase local cuisine. Family activities are available across the city and surrounding areas like the Vale of Pickering and Eskdale, with museums, markets, and outdoor attractions catering to all ages. Shopping and markets also feature regularly, giving you plenty of reasons to spend time in the city and beyond.

The City Brief makes it simple to browse what's happening by category: Food & Drink, Family & Kids, Nightlife & Music, Culture & Arts, Fitness & Outdoors, and Shopping & Markets. You can search by event type, explore venues across York, or read local guides that help you understand what each neighbourhood and landmark has to offer. Whether you're planning a single day out or a longer stay, the site connects you to the activities and venues that matter to you.

Common York Questions

Which York venues host the most events?

York’s cultural life revolves around established venues including the Theatre Royal, staging theatre and pantomime throughout the year. The Jorvik Centre draws visitors interested in Viking heritage, and St Margaret's Church, Walmgate, functions as the National Centre for Early Music, hosting concerts and festivals. York Racecourse, operating since 1731, stages racing events such as the Ebor Festival, while York Community Stadium accommodates sports events. These venues support event programming across Culture & Arts, Nightlife & Music, and Fitness & Outdoors.

How often are York event listings updated?

The City Brief provides current York event listings, with new happenings added to reflect the city’s cultural calendar. Coverage spans Food & Drink, Family & Kids, Nightlife & Music, Culture & Arts, Fitness & Outdoors, and Shopping & Markets. Access this week’s events or browse by category and venue to discover what’s happening. Regular updates ensure you'll find the latest information about theatre productions, food festivals, markets, and live music.

How can I find out what's on in York this weekend?

Our site features dedicated ‘this weekend’ listings across all categories. Browse by event type, Culture & Arts, Food & Drink, Family & Kids, Nightlife & Music, Fitness & Outdoors, or Shopping & Markets. Filter by venues like the Theatre Royal or York Racecourse, or explore curated recommendations. Find live performances, dining experiences, outdoor activities, or family attractions using the site’s category and venue filters.

Where can I find live music in York?

York’s live music scene is found within the Nightlife & Music category on our site, featuring performances at venues including the Theatre Royal and St Margaret's Church, Walmgate, which hosts the York Early Music Festival and classical concerts. Listings showcase intimate gigs and larger productions, with detailed event information.

What kinds of events happen in York during the week?

York offers diverse weekday activities. Culture & Arts includes theatre productions and exhibitions, whilst Food & Drink encompasses markets and dining. Shopping & Markets features local commerce and artisan stalls. The city hosts ongoing performances at the Theatre Royal, concerts at St Margaret's Church, Walmgate, and racing events at York Racecourse. Check our weekly listings and category filters to find theatre, markets, cultural programming, and specialised events.