By If there’s one thing that York seems to love, it’s throwing a festival! Having attended a couple of high quality events in York in 2014, I thought I’d share with you a list of planned festivals for this year so you can get yourselves along to 1 (or 4!) There’s a varied choice of events to attend; from music, to vintage, to Vikings – so there’s something for everyone.
Residents’ Festival – 31st Jan & 1st Feb (FREE)
York opens it’s arms to 7 million visitors every year, and this festival is ran as a big ‘thank you’ to York’s residents for being so welcoming to the City’s tourists. Just take a valid YorkCard along with you to get discounted or free admission to loads of York’s attractions, along with restaurant discounts too.
http://www.visityork.org/residents-festival-attractions.aspx
Jorvik Viking Festival – 14th to 22nd February (Various prices)
This year’s festival will be the 31st and promises to be the best yet. Running over 9 days, events include a replica Viking encampment setup, a coach trip, a medieval banquet, Viking crafts and Viking combat sessions. Lots for kids to do! Each event is priced individually – see website.
http://www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk/about/
York Literature Festival – 19th to 29th March (Some events incur charges)
This annual festival celebrates, as you’d expect, all thing literature. Over 11 days, there are many events planned, including talks, comedy spots, workshops, walks and music. Helen Lederer of Ab Fab fame will be doing a talk on her new novel one evening. See website for the full itinerary.
http://www.yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk/
Festival of Vintage 25th & 26th April (£18 for an advance weekend pass)
This festival celebrates all things vintage; music, dance, fashion, lifestyle and more. With stalls, entertainment, competitions, cars, crafts and lots more… if you’re a lover of vintage, this festival looks like it may tick all the boxes. Visitors dressing in vintage gear is encouraged!
http://www.festivalofvintage.co.uk/
YO1 Festival – 3rd May (Cancelled)
This is a music festival, held at The Knavesmire. No line-up has been announced yet for this year, but last year’s festival saw the likes of De La Soul, Pulled Apart By Horses and Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip take to the stage. The music is varied in genre, so there’s something for everyone, but there is a Ministry of Sound stage so dance music lovers will certainly be catered for!
Apollo Festival – 27th June (Adult £8.00 plus booking fee)
This one’s also a music festival. The line-up has yet to be finalised, but last year saw the likes of Reverend and The Makers and Kate Lawler on stage, so the music will be quite varied I’d imagine. Very family orientated, with a fairground and kids’ activities all day – child tickets are very cheap too!
http://www.apollofestival.co.uk/
Galtres Parklands Festival – August Bank Holiday (Tickets not yet on sale)
This one started life as a beer and cider festival, and has morphed into a rather good music festival with an excellent drinks selection. Family friendly, with plenty of activities for the kids, and lots of other entertainment for the whole family including theatre, comedy, crafts and stalls.
http://www.galtresfestival.org.uk/
York Food & Drink Festival – 18th to 27th September. Taster version – 6th & 7th June (some events incur charges)
Who doesn’t love a good food & drink festival? This is a big one, spread over 10 days, and includes cookery demonstrations, cooking lessons, an ale and food trail, stalls, and lots of local dining out offers. Plus lots more! There’s a mini version in June too.
http://www.yorkfoodfestival.com/
Illuminating York – end of October/start of November (Some events incur charges)
This one’s my favourite; York’s light festival. Involving a varied mix of events, from digital artwork projections on York’s historic buildings, to candlelit ghost walks around famous halls. 2014’s Illuminating York included a brilliant evening light and noise display at the National Railway Museum.
http://illuminatingyork.org.uk/
Which of these festivals will you be going along to?