Events in York From 27th April – 3rd May 2026

Home · Events in York This Week

You can find a range of events in York this week, from lectures at university venues to live music and comedy performances. A public talk on medieval romance as a global cultural theme takes place at the University of York, examining how written narratives influenced early literary forms through analysis of historical manuscripts archived in York Minster. This is not an overview but a focused look at textual evolution during periods when European writing was reshaping tradition.

Evenings feature performances across established locations, blues and folk acts play at The Milton Rooms, a venue with long-standing musical history near the River Ouse known for its acoustic quality and low lighting. A tribute evening to Nick Cave includes live readings of early poetry paired with instrumental music, hosted in collaboration with York Theatre Royal’s ensemble. On Tuesday night, an experimental speed-dating event happens at Riverside Bar & Grill, using structured conversation prompts instead of standard introductions.

Comedian Lila Moss appears for her final show before moving to Leeds at The Grand Hall on Friday evening, sharing personal reflections shaped by life in North Yorkshire urban spaces. Her performance marks the end of a chapter in her public career.

These events are accessible via First Bus routes 12A and 30B or a short walk from the railway station along Stonegate; limited parking is available near historic areas during peak times due to congestion, especially around festivals and high water levels. For schedules and venue access details, check listings below.

Monday 27th April

Gin Tasting at York Distillery With Yorkgin

· Food & Drink

Attend a gin tasting event at York Distillery to sample award-winning gins and learn about their history.

Tuesday 28th April

Priscilla Queen of The Desert

· Joseph Rowntree Theatre · Culture & Arts

A stage production of 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert' performs at Joseph Rowntree Theatre.

Chair Based Move & Stretch

· Pocklington Arts Centre · Fitness & Outdoors

A gentle movement and stretching session using chairs, held at Pocklington Arts Centre.

Cooper King Whisky Tasting

· Food & Drink

A guided tasting of rare Cooper King whiskies at The Little Ale House in York.

The Boundaries of Love: Romance as a Method of Joining And Parting (in) The…

· Culture & Arts

A public lecture at the University of York examines medieval romance as a global cultural phenomenon.

Wednesday 29th April

Great British Beef Supper Club

· York Minster Refectory · Food & Drink

A seven-course Yorkshire beef tasting dinner with drink pairings at York Minster Refectory.

Speed Dating - York - Ages 35-55

· Nightlife & Music

Speed dating event for singles aged 35 to 55 in York.

New "Lesson[s] of a Bas Relief"

· Culture & Arts

A university lecture examines the historical and theoretical significance of relief sculpture through an analysis of a 19th-century essay.

Thursday 30th April

Ryedale Blues Club - Dirty Ruby

· Milton Rooms · Nightlife & Music

Dirty Ruby performs blues music at The Milton Rooms as part of the Ryedale Blues Club series.

York Charity Sleepout 2026

· Fitness & Outdoors

Participants sleep out at York Stadium to raise funds for charity.

Icg Vip Wine Pairing Event - The Black Swan, Helmsley

· Food & Drink

An exclusive wine pairing event featuring Gallo wines and gourmet bites at The Black Swan, Helmsley.

York 22-34 Singles Night

· Nightlife & Music

A social event at Revolution York for singles aged 22 to 34 to meet new people and network.

Lydia O'dowd

· Katie O'Brien's Irish Tavern York · Nightlife & Music

Singer-songwriter Lydia O'Dowd performs live guitar and vocals at Katie O'Brien's Irish Tavern in York.

York Business Networking Event With The Press And York st John University

· Nightlife & Music

A networking event at York St John University hosted by The Press and York St John University.

Cafe Gourmand Tasting 30/04/26

· Florian Poirot Patisserie & Cafe · Food & Drink

Cafe Gourmand Tasting event at Florian Poirot Patisserie & Cafe in York offers a curated food and drink experience.

Friday 1st May

Creative Drinks: York Creatives Monthly Social

· Nightlife & Music

Creatives gather monthly at Patch York for networking and drinks.

Ahmed Dickinson & Eduardo Martin

· The National Centre for Early Music · Culture & Arts

Cuba's most acclaimed guitar duo performs internationally recognized classical and fusion music at a historic early music venue.

Lyon Estates

· Nightlife & Music

LYON ESTATES performs energetic pop-punk music at The Fulford Arms.

The Luna Duo

· Katie O'Brien's Irish Tavern York · Nightlife & Music

The Luna Duo, a seasoned two-piece band, performs at Katie O'Brien's Irish Tavern in York.

Oldskool Anthems Live

· Nightlife & Music

Old Skool Anthems returns to City Screen Basement Bar with live performances by a five-piece band.

Venue Premium Tickets - Gary Stewart Presents: The Songs of Paul Simon

· Nightlife & Music

Gary Stewart performs a live tribute to Paul Simon's songs at York Barbican.

Saturday 2nd May

Rocketsmith - 'Hearts & Minds' Album Launch

· Milton Rooms · Nightlife & Music

Rocketsmith launch their new album 'Hearts & Minds' with a live performance at The Milton Rooms.

Hank, Pattie & The Current

· Selby Town Hall · Nightlife & Music

Hank, Pattie & The Current perform a live set of original and classic tracks at Selby Town Hall.

Haxby & Wigginton Scarecrow Festival

· Pocklington Arts Centre · Shopping & Markets

The Haxby & Wigginton Scarecrow Festival runs from 2nd to 4th May with decorative scarecrows on display.

Constable Burton Hall & Gardens Tulip Festival

· Pocklington Arts Centre · Shopping & Markets

The Constable Burton Hall & Gardens hosts a tulip festival from 2nd to 4th May.

Frankly, The Smiths / Fulford Arms York / Saturday 2nd May/ Evening Show

· Nightlife & Music

Frankly, The Smiths perform a tribute to The Smiths at The Fulford Arms in York.

Wonders & Whispers Fayre

· Shopping & Markets

Artisan stalls, psychics, and live music at the Wonders & Whispers Fayre in York.

80S Day Disco: York 🪩

· Nightlife & Music

A day-long disco event celebrating 1980s music and fashion at CIRCUIT York.

Rowan

· Nightlife & Music

Rowan & Friends launch their album 'Go On! Roll That Old Boulder Away' at The Crescent Community Venue in York.

Sculpt And Sip | Plonkers Wine Bar

· Food & Drink

Participants create handmade pinch pots at a wine bar during a sculpting and tasting event.

Tom Davis

· Nightlife & Music

Comedian Tom Davis performs his Spudgun tour at the Grand Opera House in York on 5 February 2026.

York City Centre - Artisan Gift And Craft Fair Market

· The Belfrey Hall · Shopping & Markets

Artisan gift and craft fair held at Belfrey Hall in York city centre.

Catch Market: York

· Shopping & Markets

A 90s and Y2K fashion market returns to York Railway Institute this May.

She Says… Presents Improv Buffet

· Friargate Theatre · Nightlife & Music

She SaysImprov presents an improvisational comedy show at Friargate Theatre with short-form improv acts and new performances.

Cawood Riverside Beer Festival 2026

· Food & Drink

Cawood Riverside Beer Festival 2026 features craft beers, live music, and riverside entertainment at White Cross Ski Club.

Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings

· Culture & Arts

A classical music performance featuring Bridgerton themes played on strings at York's National Centre for Early Music.

Candlelight: Tribute to Queen

· Culture & Arts

A candlelit performance tribute to Queen's music at the National Centre for Early Music in York.

Weetwood Mac

· Nightlife & Music

Weetwood Mac performs a live music set at York Barbican.

Venue Premium Tickets - Weetwood Mac - an Evening of Fleetwood Mac

· Nightlife & Music

A live concert performance of Fleetwood Mac songs at York Barbican.

Sunday 3rd May

Ellen Kent - The Farewell Tour York

· Grand Opera House, York · Nightlife & Music

Comedian Ellen Kent performs her farewell tour at the Grand Opera House York, with two shows on 3rd and 4th May 2026.

Steve Cassidy Band in Concert

· Joseph Rowntree Theatre · Nightlife & Music

The Steve Cassidy Band performs a live concert at Joseph Rowntree Theatre.

Sunday Revs Official Roses 2026 Afterparty 🎉

· Nightlife & Music

Revolution York hosts the Official Roses 2026 Afterparty, a student-focused music event celebrating the annual Roses rivalry.

Sean Jackson Band

· Katie O'Brien's Irish Tavern York · Nightlife & Music

The Sean Jackson Band performs high-energy country blues, funk, and rock at Katie O'Brien's Irish Tavern in York.

The Heavenly Bodes

· Nightlife & Music

South Cornwall garage-psych-rock band The Heavenly Bodes perform at The Fulford Arms.

Katherine Priddy

· Pocklington Arts Centre · Nightlife & Music

Katherine Priddy performs live at Pocklington Arts Centre in celebration of her new album, These Frightening Machines.

@Kommy.music 🎸Acoustic Duo

· Katie O'Brien's Irish Tavern York · Nightlife & Music

Acoustic duo @kommy.music performs pop, R&B, and rock classics at Katie O'Brien's Irish Tavern in York.

Gareth Humphreys And The Dirty

· Katie O'Brien's Irish Tavern York · Nightlife & Music

Gareth Humphreys and the Dirty Martinis perform soulful rock and funk at Katie O'Brien's Irish Tavern in York.

Madama Butterfly - Ellen Kent's Farewell Opera Tour Ellen Kent Operas

· Culture & Arts

Ellen Kent concludes her career with a farewell performance of Madama Butterfly at York's Grand Opera House.

Liverpool vs Manchester United

· Manchester United · Fitness & Outdoors

Liverpool play Manchester United in a Premier League football match at Old Trafford.