About
Enjoy an inspiring programme of mostly FREE in-person and online events at York Festival of Ideas.
Taking place from 31 May to 13 June 2025, the annual Festival features talks by world-class speakers, exhibitions, music, guided and self-guided tours, family-friendly activities and more. And with topics ranging from animals to art, history to health and biodiversity to the brain, it promises something for all ages and interests.
A highlight of this year’s Festival will be a Michael Morpurgo Celebration Day marking the acclaimed author’s eighth York Festival of Ideas appearance – and his first as Patron. Join Michael for My Heart was a Tree: The concert at York Theatre Royal, or schoolchildren can hear him read excerpts from his new book Cobweb at a special live online event.
Other headline speakers and performers include BBC Countryfile presenter Tom Heap, author Shamini Flint, historians William Dalrymple and Tracy Borman, Carnatic singer Supriya Nagarajan, biologist Kathy Willis, and BBC presenter and journalist Ros Atkins.
The programme also offers a host of tours - step into nature with St Nicks on a gentle 2km walk, delve into York’s dark past on a self-guided podcast walking tour or follow the Micklegate Arts Trail, among many others.
Supported by generous sponsors and led by the University of York, York Festival of Ideas is one of the largest free festivals of its kind in the UK.
Find out more and book your tickets.
Photo credits: Alex Holland/University of York, Bec Hudson Smith/York Festival of Ideas and Ian Martindale/York Festival of Ideas.
