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. You can find an example of a previous year’s trail HERE
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 eggs, 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 to learn how to create your very own Chocolate Easter Bunny – Details to follow
Each day of the festival: 10.30am to 11.30am or 12pm to 1pm
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 – Details to follow
Join York Cocoa Works each day of the festival at 3.30pm for Chocolate Tastings – Details to follow
An evening with best selling author Joanne Harris, prior to the release of her upcoming book, Vianne (part of the well loved Chocolat series). The evening will include a question and answer session between Joanne and host, along with the audience, followed by a book signing.
Chocolate & Co’s popular drinking chocolates and copies of the book will be available to purchase at the event
More about the book VIANNE
On the evening of July 4th, a young woman scatters her mother’s ashes in New York and follows the call of the changing winds to the French coastal city of Marseille.
For the first time in her life, Vianne feels in control of her future. Charming her way into a job as a waitress, she tries to fit in, make friends, and come to terms with her pregnancy, knowing that by the time her child is born, the turning wind will have changed once again.
As she discovers the joy of cooking for the very first time, making local recipes her own with the addition of bittersweet chocolate spices, she learns that this humble magic has the power to unlock secrets.
And yet her gift comes at a price. And Vianne has a secret of her own; a secret that threatens everything…
Chocolate & Co
They are holding this event to help raise vital funds to continue their work: offering a second chance to those facing addiction and social exclusion. Through purpose, paid work, and community, they help people rebuild with dignity and hope.
Every year, the chocolate city of York celebrates its cocoa roots with a festival of confectionary.
This year, Terra Sarda Wines be partnering with local producers to introduce a new dimension – chocolate paired
with wine. Two all-time favourites in one indulgent sitting… sweet!
Work your way through five different grape varieties from the ancient winemaking region of Sardinia, complementing their unique notes and flavours with premium sustainably produced chocolate and chocolate-based treats.
Butterflies Chocolates will be our guides to all things cocoa and there will be an opportunity to try and buy both wine and chocolate on the night.
Come with us to explore the history, chemistry and legacy of two of the world’s most influential fruits and discover the mouthwatering magic of matching!
