Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in York

As another half-term fast approaches, get ready for a week of family fun in York. This year, May Half Term runs from Monday 30th May until Friday 3rd June for most York schools with a four-day bank holiday weekend for all to enjoy, because of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.  

Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service.

Join the festivities and celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee as York marks this momentous occasion with a series of incredible events, activities and fun things to do across the city over the weekend. 

This year, Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service. There are lots of ways you can take part in The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations with many events happening in and around York.

Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen at the York Spring Fair and Food Festival. Held at York Racecourse from the 27th May – 5th June, bringing together a vintage funfair and a fantastic food festival guaranteeing a fun day out for all. You’ll be able to sample food and drink from local artisans, listen to live music and enjoy family friendly entertainment. It’s a great place to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee with the lighting of one of York’s Jubilee Beacons and the opportunity for a Big Jubilee Lunch on Sunday 5th June.

The Queen has visited the Treasurer's House in York three times over her reign to date. If you book onto a tour around the house during the holiday period, you will be able to hear about all the VIP guests the Treasurer’s House has welcomed over the years, as well as the opportunity to look at photographs and menus from when Her Majesty the Queen visited. Booking on a tour is recommended to guarantee a time slot as spaces are limited.

Absorb the royal history as archive footage of the Queen's visits to the North of England will be played on a big screen in St Sampson's Square. As well as dressing the city in bunting to provide the perfect party atmosphere, The York BID will be marking the celebration with plenty of deckchairs and flags. 

Celebrate like the Queen herself and enjoy a quintessentially British treat whilst overlooking the River Ouse. Indulge with a special cruise and afternoon tea with City Cruises. During your cruise you will be a served a tempting selection of sandwiches, sweet treats and complimentary fizz whilst admiring some stunning riverside views.

Make a toast to the Queen at No.1 Guest House. Celebrate in style with an afternoon tea packed full of British treats inspired by the Commonwealth, with chocolate cake made using the Royal Chef's own recipe and some very British Pimms.

One of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, York Minster has an exciting series of events planned to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Discover York Minster’s royal connections and collections through a new exhibition exploring the cathedral’s centuries-old relationship with the monarchy. Explore these royal events and how they have shaped life and worship at York Minster over the centuries. Other highlights in the exhibition include footage from the royal wedding of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent to his Yorkshire bride Katharine Worsley at York Minster in 1961. An evening of breath-taking choral music with the newly restored Grand Organ will also take place at the cathedral on Saturday 4 June.

Celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee with special family friendly activities at The National Railway Museum. Enjoy a regal day out and learn about how the railways have changed during the Queen's 70 year reign. With royal carriages you can get up close to, admire their exquisite exterior detailing and peer through the windows to see the luxurious rooms in which royal duties were conducted.

To celebrate this momentous year in history, Castle Howard invites you to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen, with an exclusive Afternoon Tea experience in their spectacular Long Gallery, which will be in the same dining space enjoyed by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert during their visit to Castle Howard in 1850.

Indulge in an exquisite menu of delicious sweet and savoury items that feature some of Yorkshire's finest produce, served alongside a glass of the UK's finest sparkling wine - Nyetimber Classic Cuvee.

Celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this Spring as visitors are offered a rare glimpse at some of the unique pieces in Castle Howard's collection. Situated in the grandeur of the Long Gallery, this special display will reveal links to the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953 and royal connections to Castle Howard itself.

Join Mother Shipton’s for a magical celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee this May Half Term. Wander into a world of Enchanted Stories and marvel at the royal themed decorations adorning the park.

Over 2000 beacons will be lit across the UK in recognition of the Queen’s long and selfless service to enable communities, individuals and organisations to pay tribute to her as part of the Official Platinum Jubilee celebrations. On Thursday 2nd June from 9:15pm – 10pm there will be a beacon lighting ceremony taking place at Library Square which will include a welcome from the Lord Mayor of York, alongside contributions from York Pipe Band, The Band of the Yorkshire Regiment and Dunnington Community Choir.

Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen with a collection of beautiful gifts from Betty's. Indulge with a Jubilee-themed selection box or celebrate with a collection of exclusive treats from macaroons to fondant fancies and even Lebkuchen Corgi biscuits.

Keep the whole family entertained with plenty of things to see, do and experience in York. An ideal location for families, get ready for a fun filled adventure in the city this half term.

With exciting attractions, brilliant museums and engaging theatre shows, you will find plenty of things to do to keep everyone happy during the week.

Europe’s largest Viking festival is back for five days of living history, hands-on fun, craft workshops and many other Norse related activities. The Vikings will once again be pitching their tents in central York and are set to invade the city once again. Festival favourites will return from Saturday 28th May to Wednesday 1st June 2022.

Join an expert chocolatier at York’s Chocolate Story and get hands-on making fantastic chocolate creations this May half-term. Learn more about the secrets of chocolate making as your chocolatier guides you through different chocolate activities, including making your very own lolly as well as piping your own bar. You’ll make exquisite chocolate truffles and learn techniques to try at home. Perfect for all the family, come and have a choc-tastic half term in the chocolate city.

Make the most of your holiday time together on a day out to Beningbrough Hall, there’s a new nature spotter trail which is all about butterflies, with lots of lovely activities to enjoy. Help with seed sowing and join in one of the special outdoor story sessions. Discover the wilderness play area and let your little ones run wild on the pyramid tower and slide. Plan your fun filled adventure with lots of family friendly activities in and around York

Explore York’s vibrant food scene with a wide range of different dining destinations to choose from, with countless cuisine’s on offer you are guaranteed to please even the fussiest of eaters. Home to an abundance of independent eateries offering high quality and locally sourced produce, fabulous places for fine dining and real gourmet restaurants, there’s something for all tastes in York.

York offers a wide range of accommodation options, whether you are looking for a family friendly hotel, a glamping destination or if you are visiting York on a budget there are plenty of lovely places to rest your head after a busy day.