The ever-popular York Beer & Cider Festival returns again to the spectacular surroundings of St Lawrence Parish Church!
This festival, run by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), will have more beers and ciders than any other festival in Yorkshire with over 200 available plus wines, prosecco, meads and soft drinks, plus a great selection of food on site.
The festival dates are Wednesday 17 September to Saturday 20 September 2025. Saturday evening is pay-on-the-door only this year.
A self-guided walking trail around the city of York and an opportunity to try samples from some of the best York’s food scene by visiting a range of deli’s, restaurants and suppliers.
We have two Taste Trails for you to enjoy, East and West York.
Each trail features around 20 stops to sample the best of York’s food and drink scene as well as a tasting hub with more samples to enjoy.
This year’s participants are still being finalised, however you can view last year’s for an idea of what to expect: East Trail and West Trail
You will receive the map and guide similar to that above outlining the various participating businesses, along with a schedule of when each business is open and offering samples.
The samples provided on the taste trail vary widely depending on the participating businesses, but may include small bites of food, such as cheeses, meats, breads, and desserts, as well as drinks, such as wine or beer.
Overall, the Taste Trail is a fun and engaging way for visitors to sample a wide variety of local food and drink offerings and experience the unique flavours and culture of a particular York.
Tickets are limited to 100 per day – You can either pre-book online or purchase your booklet at the information point (while stocks last)
Collection of the trail booklet is from the Information Point any day between 10am to 4pm, located on Parliament Street – In front of Claire’s (37 Parliament Street, YO1 8RU)
*Please note that some samples will involve alcohol and therefore under 18s will not be able to participate with all of the stops on the trail. Some businesses are closed on specific days.
Did you know that the York Food Festival is a not-for-profit organisation?
Any money generated (from trader fees to ticket sales) goes back into the festival to improve it year after year.
During the festivals we run this demonstration programme for all visitors to the festival to attend.
Please consider making a donation to support this programme and keep it running.
The York Food Festival offers a series of FREE cookery workshops, which are designed to provide visitors with an opportunity to learn new culinary skills and how food is made.
The workshops are open to all ages and held at the Museum Gardens, and St. Crux Hall.
(and also home to our Schools Workshop programme, where we welcome over 1000 children to participate over the 5 weekdays)
Opening times for public:
Friday 19th 3pm to 5 pm in St Crux only
Monday to Thursday – 3pm to 4pm
Second Friday – 2pm to 4pm
Both Weekends (Sat & Sun) – 10am to 4pm
At the minimum, there are six workshops available, covering a range of themes including bread making, pasta making, vegan dips, and smoking your own food. New workshop themes will be added in for 2025, ensuring that there is always something new to learn and discover at the festival.
The workshops are interactive and hands-on, providing participants with an opportunity to get involved in the cooking process and learn by doing. The workshops are suitable for all ages, and experienced instructors are on hand to provide guidance and support.
The York Food Festival is always on the lookout for talented volunteers to work with the public by delivering workshops. If you are someone who has a passion for cooking and wants to give back to the community, then we encourage you to consider volunteering with us. If interested, please fill out our online form
Did you know that the York Food Festival is a not-for-profit organisation?
Any money generated (from trader fees to ticket sales) goes back into the festival to improve it year after year.
During the festivals we run this extensive free food education programme for all visitors to the festival.
Please consider making a donation to support this programme and keep it running.
A fun and interactive activity designed for families with children. A self-guided walking tour, answering clues along the way, and finishing with decorating your own Chocolate Bar with York Cocoa Works
Participants receive a guide map (FREE for all) providing a unique and engaging way for families to explore the local chocolate scene, while also having fun and learning new things along the way.
Purchased ticket holders end the tour decorating a Chocolate Bar with York Cocoa Works.
Tickets can either be pre-booked online or purchase at the information point (while stocks last)
Collection of the guide map is from the Information Point any day of the festival from 10am, located on Parliament Street – In front of Claire’s (37 Parliament Street, YO1 8RU)
Last entry for the chocolate bar decorating at York Cocoa Works will be 4pm (Please allow at least 45 minutes to come back to collect your Chocolate Bar once it has set).
Did you know that the York Food Festival is a not-for-profit organisation?
Any money generated (from trader fees to ticket sales) goes back into the festival to improve it year after year.
During the festivals we run this demonstration programme for all visitors to the festival to attend.
Please consider making a donation to support this programme and keep it running.
A self-guided walking trail around the city of York, with some of York’s food establishments offering a vegan alternative to their non-vegan samples.
You will receive a guide map listing the various participating businesses, along with a schedule of when each business is open and offering samples.
The trail features around 20 stops to sample – small bites of food or drink samples – which will vary depending on the participating businesses.
These will be confirmed closer to the festival dates.
Overall, the Taste Trail is a fun and engaging way for visitors to sample a wide variety of local food and drink offerings and experience the unique flavours and culture of a particular York.
Tickets are very limited – You can either pre-book online or purchase your booklet at the information point (while stocks last)
Collection of the trail booklet is from the Information Point any day between 10am to 4pm, located on Parliament Street – In front of Claire’s (37 Parliament Street, YO1 8RU)
Come down to St Crux to play the Chocolate Bar Game, or pick up family activities from Plantlife and the Woodlands Trust (weekend only). Part of a range of activities at St Crux which includes the Demo area, a café, and the Food factory activities – hands on cookery for people of all ages.
Live demonstrations from York College students and staff situated on market stand at the heart of the Festival market. The College will also have information available about Careers and courses in Tourism and Hospitality.
The stand is open everyday except Thursday 25th
Go behind the scenes on a tasty Tour of York Food & Drink Festival to get an idea of how we make this event work! Obviously we can’t show you around without feeding you so there’ll be a range of samples included too, both around the festival itself as well as a few nearby friends of the festival.
Your guide will be one of the festival organisers who knows the foodie scene in York intimately after having been closely involved with it for over a decade, make sure you ask lots of questions and get plenty of recommendations! Tours will take place on the Friday, Saturday and Sundays of the festival at 11am and 3pm.
Explore the chocolate making process from cocoa bean to the chocolates we make here at York Cocoa Works, learning and tasting your way around the chocolate manufactory with our Tasting Journey.
Quote “YORKFOODFEST25” for 25% off
During your time with us, one of our expert chocolate makers will share the secrets of our cocoa and how we transform it into chocolate. You will discover our origins and learn the rich history of chocolate making in York before taking a peek into our manufactory and watching our chocolate being made. This session concludes with a special tasting conducted by our cocoa connoisseur. You will sample the chocolate we make from cocoa beans all around the world, experiencing the different strengths and flavour notes in our range.
Following the journey, you are invited to join us in our Chocolate Cafe where you can use your ticket to enjoy further discounts across our whole product range.
Running daily at York Food Festival and part of the York Chocolate Bar Challenge, join York Cocoa Works to craft your own little chocolate bar.
Explore the chocolate making history of York and create your own mini Chocolate Bar!
Pre-booking available – 10.00, 10.30, 11.00, 11.30, 12.00, 12.30, 1.30, 2.00, 2.30, 3.00, 3.30 (4pm on Saturday and Sundays)
Unwrap the history of chocolate on a Guided Tour! Enjoy hands-on chocolate making and lots of delicious samples.
Tour Highlights:
Explore York’s Chocolate Heritage: Learn why York is celebrated as the Chocolate City, home to legendary chocolate-making families.
Craft Your Own Chocolate Lolly: Enjoy a hands-on experience and watch a live chocolatier demonstration.
Taste a Variety of Chocolate Samples: Enjoy chocolate in its purest form, sample iconic York treats, and indulge in freshly made creations by our chocolatiers.
Live wheel thrown demonstrations all day, alongside pots and sculptures for sale
Crafting high-quality, handmade ceramic pots and vessels that blend artistry with everyday living. Driven by a passion for craftsmanship and creativity, each piece is thoughtfully designed and meticulously handcrafted to bring a touch of uniqueness and beauty into your home. Discover pottery that’s as functional as it is artful.
Daily – 2.30pm and 4pm
25% Discount for York Food Festival
– Quote “YORKFOODFEST25”
A unique opportunity to see behind the scenes at the Festival. The first afternoon of the Festival also serves as a final rehearsal for the Festival staff and volunteers, making pasta, pizza, breads, cheese, butter , curing and smoking fish etc. Come and join us as we deliver the last round of training to the Festival staff at St Crux, we would appreciate a live audience as Festival Director Michael Hjort seeks to address some of the more complex potential questions about cheese making and sourdough while Georgie Rhodes (engagement manager) deals with the management of school groups and children of all ages.
We will also offer an introduction to our family events at St Crux and ask for audience participation!
Discover Chocolate History & Make Your Own Truffles!
Available daily between 3.30pm-5.30pm
Begin your journey with our Classic Guided Tour, where you’ll:
Explore the rich history of chocolate, from its ancient origins to its transformation into today’s indulgent treat.
Learn the art of chocolate tasting like a connoisseur.
Dive into York’s chocolate-making heritage, discovering the stories behind its famous confectionery families.
At the end of your tour, enjoy an additional 15 minutes of hands-on chocolate making, where you’ll:
Roll four decadent ganache-filled truffles in the finest Belgian couverture chocolate.
Personalise and package your creations to take home as a sweet memento.
Live For St Leonard’s will return between 19th and 27th September. This live music event is organised by York BID, as part of the York Food & Drink Festival, and all charitable funds raised are donated in aid of St Leonard’s Hospice. Over the last 2 years the initiative has raised nearly £9,000 for the charity. The events is free for the public to attend and St Leonard’s volunteers will be on-site collecting cash and card donations.
This year’s event will feature two separate stage areas with performances running in parallel. The main stage can be found in the marquee on Parliament Street, and the acoustic stage on St Sampsons Square.
Patrons can expect performances from great local talent, every evening from 5pm!
The line up can be found HERE, once announced.
Step into a world of indulgence with our exclusive Chocolate & Gin Tour at York’s Chocolate Story.
This one-of-a-kind experience, crafted for adults, invites you to explore the rich histories and intricate flavours of two of the world’s most beloved indulgences: chocolate and gin. Whether you’re a chocolate connoisseur, a gin enthusiast, or simply seeking a unique experience in York, this tour promises to tantalise your taste buds and expand your knowledge in a fun, interactive setting.
Sample Selection:
Hooting Owl Signature Gin: Paired with Rowntree’s first-ever chocolate, this pairing celebrates the humble beginnings of York’s confectionery legacy.
Chocolate Orange Gin: Complemented by a slice of Terry’s Chocolate Orange, this duo pays homage to one of York’s most iconic chocolate treats.
Sicilian Lemon Gin: Paired with a sweet treat inspired by York’s famous confectionery, this combination is a nostalgic nod to classic flavours.
Mystery Gin: Enjoy a seasonal surprise with this final pairing, offering a delightful twist on traditional gin and chocolate pairings.
Chocolate-Making
Your tour concludes with a hands-on chocolate-making session. Under the guidance of our expert chocolatiers, you’ll craft your own bespoke chocolate mendiants to take home, using high-quality dark or milk chocolate. Personalise your creation with intricate designs and transfer sheets, making it the perfect edible souvenir of your visit.
York Archaeology invites you to step back in time and experience the splendour of medieval dining at Barley Hall.
As part of the York Food and Drink Festival, York Archaeology invites you to an unforgettable evening of feasting, entertainment, and historic atmosphere in the grand surroundings of the Great Chamber—once home to William Snawsell, Medieval Lord Mayor of York.
This unique event offers guests the rare chance to enjoy a lavish three-course medieval-inspired meal, complete with table wine and traditional entertainment between courses. Expect games, music, and merriment, all served in the glow of candlelight and authenticity that only Barley Hall can provide.
A bar will also be available on-site for the purchase of additional drinks.
Spaces are strictly limited and this event SOLD OUT quickly last year so early booking is highly recommended.
Please note: Barley Hall is a limited access venue. For access information please see the Barley Hall website, and contact them if you have any queries.
First Remove:
Ham Hock Terrine
Roasted Vegetable and Goats Cheese Tart (V) (Ve Option Available)
Second Remove:
Chicken, with Smoked Paprika, Thyme and Vegetables.
Spiced vegetable and bean stew (V) (Ve Option Available)
Third Remove:
Spiced Chocolate Pots (V) (Ve Option Available)
Sticky Orange Cake (V)
