York Festival of Ideas 2026 | Visit York

Foi26 Uni Hero 1900x1000px v1

Family Friendly, Children's Activity, Festivals, Workshops, Talks & Lectures, Art & Culture, Tours & Guides, Theatre

York Festival of Ideas 2026

30th May 26 - 12th Jun 26

Location: York - various venues

Email: yorkfestivalofideas@york.ac.uk Email us

Visit our website

Michael Morpurgo VY image 540 x 304

About

Enjoy an inspiring programme of in-person and online events at York Festival of Ideas.

Taking place from 30 May to 12 June 2026, the mostly FREE events include talks by world-class speakers, exhibitions, music, guided tours and family-friendly activities. And with topics ranging from animals to art, history to health, and biodiversity to the brain, the Festival promises something for all ages and interests.

York Festival of Ideas is one of the largest free festivals of its kind in the UK and was enjoyed by a local and global audience of over 54,000 in 2025.

Look out for the 2026 programme going live on 1 May and choose inspiring events to attend in York or online. In the meantime, why not get a taste of what’s on offer by watching some previous Festival events for free on YouTube.

Join the York Festival of Ideas mailing list to be among the first to hear details of the 2026 programme.

Photo credit: Alex Holland, University of York

Related Events

82ee49aa 34ac 4352 b3ec c90f33725519 1 all 80446

4th Dec 25 - 4th Jan 26

Family Friendly, Children's Activity, Art & Culture, Film, Christmas

The Winter Queen

Behind the bustle of York, beyond the glow of the shopfronts, lies a beautiful ice-cave theatre - an immersive, atmosph…

YAG Making Waves The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print Digital Exhibition Banner 1280 x 373 1280x375 1

27th Feb 26 - 30th Aug 26

Family Friendly, Art & Culture, Art Exhibition

Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print

Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print27 February – 30 August 2026Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodbloc…

JVF 26 March to Coppergate 01

21st Feb 26

Family Friendly, Half Term

March to Coppergate

The Viking March is a Festival tradition like no other! It simply wouldn’t be the JORVIK Viking Festival without the si…

JVF 26 Bloodaxe Book Challenge

18th Feb 26

Family Friendly, Children's Activity, Half Term

Bloodaxe Book Challenge

Travel back in time with bestselling and award-winning author M.G. Leonard! Following the release of her latest book, T…

JVF 26 Beserker Bootcamp 01

16th Feb 26 - 21st Feb 26

Family Friendly, Children's Activity, Half Term

Berserker Bootcamp

Get your little Vikings ready for battle at our Berserker Bootcamp! Led by seasoned warriors, kids will learn the art o…

Screenshot 2025 12 15 at 13 28 02

16th Feb 26 - 22nd Feb 26

Family Friendly, Children's Activity, Half Term

Kids' Crafting

Let your little Vikings unleash their creativity with our hands-on Kids Crafting activities! From making their own Viki…

JVF 26 Encampment 01

16th Feb 26 - 21st Feb 26

Family Friendly, Half Term, Entertainment

The Viking Encampment

The Vikings have once again taken over York City Centre—but don’t worry, they’re not here to loot and plunder. Instead,…

DSC 5165

4th Feb 26 - 22nd Feb 26

Family Friendly

Colour & Light

Colour & Light is back and bigger than ever! For the first time, two of York's landmark buildings will be illuminat…

Enormous croc VY Hero

25th Jun 26 - 28th Jun 26

Family Friendly, Children's Performance, Entertainment, Art & Culture, Story telling, Theatre

The Enormous Crocodile, The Musical

“For my lunch today I would like… a nice juicy little child!”He’s greedy, he’s grumptious, he’s horrid!The Enormous Cro…

Oh zeus VY Hero

18th Jun 26 - 20th Jun 26

Family Friendly, Entertainment, Art & Culture, Theatre, Play, Comedy

Oh Zeus!

Kings of Comedy Le Navet Bete are back!For lovers of Fawlty Towers, Bottom and The Play That Goes Wrong, Oh Zeus! is a …

Jack and the Beanstalk

7th Feb 26

Dance, Family Friendly, Children's Performance, Theatre

Jack and the Beanstalk

Fee-fi-fo-fun! Get ready for a GIANT adventure!Join Perform North for a magical, musical, and downright marvellous pant…

Snow white VY Hero

4th Dec 26 - 3rd Jan 27

Family Friendly, Children's Performance, Entertainment, Art & Culture, Story telling, Theatre, Pantomime

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

“Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, York Theatre Royal's 2026 pantomime will be the most magical of all...”Coming to York Thea…

You may also like

2200x875px

30th May 26

The ELO Experience - Multi Award Winning Tribute To Jeff Lynne and the Electric Light Orchestra

MB Main House

MonkBridge House

York Dungeon Lates

10th Jan 26

Dungeon Lates (18+)

The York Dungeon