A self-guided walking trail around the city of York and an opportunity to try samples from some of the best of York’s food scene.
The trail features 10+ sample stops and you will receive a map and guide of 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 chocolate, cakes, confectionary, and drinks. The Taste Trail is a fun and engaging way for visitors to sample a variety of local food and drink offerings and experience the unique flavours and culture of York.
Tickets are limited to 100 per day – Sample availability is dependent on trail participants hours stated on trail booklet
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 of the festival from 10am – Parliament Street, Activity Marquee (outside of Tui & Vodafone)
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.
Please consider making a donation to support the festival and keep it running.
Daily chocolate experiences, masterclasses, and workshops
Easter Egg & Spring Bunny Chocolate Bar Making Workshop
Chocolate Lollipop Making
Chocolate Manufactory Tasting Journey
Chocolate Indulgence Tastings
Chocolate Bar Making
Introduction to Chocolate Making Masterclass
All available throughout the Chocolate Festival at York Cocoa Works. See their events calendar for details
York Easter Egg Sculpture trail!
This free community egg trail will be running throughout Easter across York city centre from the 28th March until the 12th April 2026. Families will be able to pick up a trail map to find the locations of 15 egg sculptures, making for a free, fun family day out to discover some local, independent businesses.
You can pick up a copy of a map at York Central library on Museum Street, Visit York on Parliament Street, and at any of the businesses taking part, or Download a digital map
Mould and decorate your own Easter Egg Chocolate Bar this York Chocolate Festival with the team from York Cocoa Works.
Discover how to work with chocolate to mould your own Easter Egg Chocolate Bar (30g) before decorating with a range of decorations to craft your very own Easter treat.
Please allow at least 45 minutes to come back to collect your Easter Egg Chocolate Bar once it has set.
YCW will be working with our 45% Milk Chocolate for our chocolate making activities, however our non-dairy chocolate is also available.
Location: Parliament Street (Workshop Marquee – outside of Tui & Vodofone)
Open: 10am to 4pm
Kelly McCarthy from Fairfax Distillers invites you to visit their stand to samples their spirits, including a Chocolate & Walnut Rum, and ask any questions about their products and the distilling process.
Join York Cocoa Works and learn how to create your very own Chocolate Easter Bunny or Easter Egg.
Each day of the festival at 10am, 11am or 11.45am
You will learn how to work with tempered chocolate to decorate, mould and package up your own Chocolate Easter creation.
Once set, you will gift wrap your creation to be enjoyed at home.
During this activity participants will create their own chocolate egg and decorate using sweets and chocolate to assemble and decorate their own 80g Easter Egg or Easter Bunny as they choose. We usually work with our 45% Milk Chocolate for our chocolate making activities, however our non-dairy chocolate is also available – please state when booking.
Duration: 40 mins
A range of fun and free activities for the family, in the courtyard at St Sampsons Centre between 10.30am and 4 pm.
Giant Egg Painting – All levels of artistic talent (or lack of) welcome! Paint your egg in whatever design you’d like, and once finished we’ll submit to our picture gallery on our website.
Eggs vs Bunnies – See how many bunnies you can knock over with a (non-painted!) egg.
Bean to Bar Game – See how many bean bags you can throw into the chocolate bar.
Make Chocolate Truffles, Chocolate Cornflake Nests, and Chocolate Pasta as part of our hands on cookery opportunities.
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.
Please consider making a donation to support the festival and keep it running.
Each day of the festival at 2pm, Michael Hjort (Festival Director and owner of Meltons Restaurant and Chopping Block) will demonstrate something chocolatey!
On Saturday, Florian Poirot (UK Pastry Champion, Winner of the Sugar Prize at the World Pastry Cup) will take over the demonstration slot.
Join York Cocoa Works each day of the festival at 3.30pm for Chocolate Tastings
