All day activities

25 Sep - 27 Sep 2026

Taste Trails

18 - 27 Sep 2026 Various - Booklet pick up from Information Point, Parliament Street - In front of Claire's (37 Parliament Street, YO1 8RU)

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, with each trail featuring 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.

Participants are to be confirmed but here is last year’s leaflet for your information: East Trail 25 and West Trail 25

You will receive the map and guide 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:
– Some samples will involve alcohol and therefore under 18s will not be able to participate with all of the stops on the trail.
– While you can collect the booklet between 10am to 4pm, each business has different opening times and some will close as early as 3pm
– 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.

More information
£12£8 for Under 16 and Senior Citizen (66+)
Book Tickets
25 Sep - 27 Sep 2026

Vegan Taste Trail

18 - 27 Sep 2026 Various - Booklet pick up from Information Point, Parliament Street - In front of Claire's (37 Parliament Street, YO1 8RU)

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.

Details are still being confirmed but last year’s participants were: Vegan Trail 25

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.

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)

*Please note:
– Some samples will involve alcohol and therefore under 18s will not be able to participate with all of the stops on the trail.
– While you can collect the booklet between 10am to 4pm, each business has different opening times and some will close as early as 3pm
– Some businesses are closed on specific days.

More information
£12£8 for Under 16 and Senior Citizen (66+)
Book Tickets
25 Sep 2026

Gascony Four Course Menu -Chopping Block

Chopping Block at Walmgate Ale House, 25 Walmgate, York, YO1 9TX 05:00 until 20:00

Four Course Gascony themed menu with optional Wine Flight

A four course tasting menu and optional wine flight on Friday 25th September from 5pm. Located in the historic building of the Chopping Block at Walmgate Ale House, a French restaurant with an English Ale House below.

 

Salade Landaise – Frisee Salas, Duck Gizzards, Croutons and a Poached Egg

Sauteed Cep Mushroom – on Homemade toasted bread

Pigeon Casserole – With seasonal vegetables and Pommes Puree

Pear Croustade – A crunchy croustade base filled with caramelized pear

 

More information
£45.00
Book Tickets
25 Sep - 27 Sep 2026

Kid’s Tour

18 - 27 Sep 2026 Across York, Collect a free activity sheet from the Festival's Information desk on Parliament Street 10:00 until 16:30

Explore York on a Kid Friendly Walking Tour

Explore York finding hidden letters to spell a secret word and finish by tasting some yummy treats at the St Sampson’s Centre Tasting Hub.

A FREE walking tour orientated towards pre-schoolers.

More information
25 Sep 2026

Sammies

St Sampson's Centre Annex, Church St, York YO1 8BE 10:00 until 14:00

City Centre play for pre-schoolers

Sammie’s is our new Grandparents’ café which is open every Friday morning in the Annexe from 10 AM – 2 PM during term time. We know how difficult it can be to find somewhere in the city centre that is suitable for pre-schoolers, so we are here to help. Sammie’s is a relaxed and safe environment with a low-cost kid’s menu, toys, plenty of space to run around, baby changing facilities, and space for buggies.

Whilst Sammie’s was created with Grandparents in mind, as a familiar place for them to bring their grandchildren, we are here for anyone with pre-schoolers and hope that Sammie’s will become a known, child-friendly hub in the city centre.

More information
25 Sep - 27 Sep 2026

Demonstrations at Noon

18 - 27 Sep 2026 St Sampson's Centre, St Sampsons Centre, Church St, York YO1 8BE 12:00 until 13:00

Each day of the festival at Noon, we will stage a demonstration in our theatre at the St Sampson’s Center – details to follow.

25 Sep - 27 Sep 2026

Demonstrations at 1pm

18 - 27 Sep 2026 St Sampsons Centre, Church St, York YO1 8BE 13:00 until 14:00

Each day of the festival at 1pm, we will stage a demonstration in our theatre at the St Sampson’s Center – details to follow.

Free
25 Sep - 27 Sep 2026

Demonstrations at 2pm

18 - 27 Sep 2026 St Sampsons Centre, Church St, York YO1 8BE 14:00 until 15:00

Each day of the festival at 2pm, we will stage a demonstration in our theatre at the St Sampson’s Center – details to follow.

Free
25 Sep - 27 Sep 2026

Demonstrations at 3pm

18 - 27 Sep 2026 St Sampsons Centre, Church St, York YO1 8BE 15:00 until 16:00

Each day of the festival at 3pm, we will stage a demonstration in our theatre at the St Sampson’s Center – details to follow.

25 Sep 2026

Cocktail Demonstration by Impossible -25th September

St Sampson's Centre, St Sampsons Centre, Church St, York YO1 8BE 15:00 until 16:00

Learn how to become a Cocktail master in this Masterclass

More info and prices to come

25 Sep - 26 Sep 2026

Live for St Leonard’s

18 - 26 Sep 2026 17:00 until 21:00

Live For St Leonard’s will return between 18th and 26th 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 will be published shortly

FreeDONATIONS WELCOME
25 Sep 2026

Pork Pie Competition

Bedern Hall, Saint Andrewgate, York, YO1 7AL 18:00 until 21:00

Now in its 5th year – The Bedern Hall Pork Pie Competition is back!

Did you know that before restoration Bedern Hall was part of William Wright’s Pork Butchers.  In search of the perfect pie, we’ve invited local pie makers to enter their very best pies for you to judge and vote for your favourites. Local ales from Yorkshire Heart Brewery, the perfect pie partner, available to buy.

More information
Fully Booked
25 Sep 2026

Mead Cocktails and Sagas with Horns of Odin

Barley Hall, 2 Coffee Yard, York, YO1 8AR, United Kingdom 19:00 until 20:00

Step into the Great Hall at Barley Hall for an evening of mead, myths, and memorable storytelling.

The Vikings loved nothing more than sharing a drink while listening to a skald weave tales of gods, heroes, and fearsome monsters. Think of it as their version of dinner and a show.

In this unique tasting experience, you’ll discover a new side to one of the world’s oldest drinks as our friends from Horns of Odin serve a selection of expertly crafted mead cocktails. Between each drink, our skald will bring the world of Norse mythology to life with dramatic tales inspired by the Viking Age.
Whether you’re a mead enthusiast or trying it for the first time, this is the perfect opportunity to experience Viking hospitality with a modern twist.

So raise your glass, drink, and be merry. Skål!

Please Note: This event is for adults aged 18 and over.

If you have any dietary requirements please contact our reservations team at groups@yorkat.co.uk.

Accessibility:
Due to the historic nature of the building, Barley Hall has raised thresholds throughout. A temporary ramp provides access to the Great Hall and the Steward’s Room. Public toilets are available; however, there are no accessible toilets on site

More information
£30.00
Book Tickets

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