York Residents’ Festival is back for 2024 and is taking place on Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 January!⭐️ Historical attractions such as York Minster, JORVIK Viking Centre, Clifford’s Tower, Fairfax House, Barley Hall, Merchant Adventurers’ Hall and Treasurer’s House will be opening their doors for free to residents across the weekend. Residents can also take advantage of a free river cruise with City Cruises and the first 100 visitors can visit for free at York’s Chocolate Story.
⭐️ There are great offers at some of York’s popular eateries and restaurants including The Grand, Rio Brazilian Steakhouse York, Ambiente Tapas and Pearly Cow. Plus, there are a range of retail offers exclusively for residents at Avorium, York Gin, Love Cheese, Potions Cauldron and many more.
⭐️ For those preferring to explore by foot, there are some great offers and discounts on walking tours and outdoor activities. Mountain Goat will be taking residents off the beaten path to explore the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, join The Wizard of York for a family-friendly walk of York that promises to be spellbinding or learn to abseil and climb Brimham Rocks.
York Residents’ Festival is available to all York Residents who have a valid York Card (or student ID card) or a form of identity that proves York residency.
York Cards are available from all of York’s Explore libraries and cost £6 per adult (under 18s are free). A YorkCard entitles the user to discounts at a range of leisure facilities and attractions throughout the year. See all the savings you can make all year by getting a YorkCard here.
Examples of ID that clearly state a ‘York’ address or residency could include a driving licence, bus pass, York library card or student ID for those in higher education.
York Residents’ Festival is organised by Make It York, supported by City of York Council.
Remember to use the bus to get into the City – you can download the First Bus App to buy tickets and view the bus schedules.
Please note, some venues require pre-booking.
All Saints North Street: York, YO1 6JD
open 10am – 4pm on Saturday 27th January offering tours and refreshments for York Residents’ Festival. Guided tours will run at 10.30am and 2pm.
Barley Hall: 2 Coffee Yard, off Stonegate, YO1 8AR
Sat 27 Jan – Sun 28 Jan, 10am – 4pm. Free to residents all day. Pre-booking unavailable.
Bedern Hall: Bartle Garth, St Andrewgate, York, YO1 7AL
Sat 27 Jan – Sun 28 Jan, 10:30am – 3:30pm: Free entry. Plus on Sat 27 from 11.30am and 2pm, free Guided walks leave here visiting the City’s Guild Halls, past and present.
Benningbrough: Beningbrough National Trust, York, YO30 1DD
Show your proof of address at the till for free entry to Beningbrough all weekend. No booking required.
Black Swan Folk Club Concert: 23 Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PR
The very best of York’s local bands and musicians live at the Black Swan. Free entry to York residents – Sun 29 Jan, 2pm – 10.30pm
Bar Convent: 17 Blossom Street, York, YO24 1AQ
50p entry for York Residents. Saturday 27 January only.
City Cruises: Kings Staith or Lendal Bridge, York
Enjoy a free cruise at either 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 or 15:00 when showing proof of residency. 2400+ passengers joined us last year… No pre-booking, first-come, first-served!
Clifford’s Tower: Tower Street, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 9SA
Sat 27 Jan – Sun 28 Jan, 10am – 4pm: Free entry
DIG: An Archaeological Adventure: St Saviour’s Church, St Saviourgate, YO1 8NN
Free to York residents after 2pm. Pre-booking unavailable. Tickets are offered on a first-come, first-served, served basis.
Fairfax House: Castlegate, York, Y01 9RN
Sat 27 Jan – Sun 28 Jan, free entry
Fishergate Postern Tower: Junction of Piccadilly & Lead Mill Lane, York, YO1 9AF
Climb the narrow spiral staircase of this early Tudor tower, and see fragments found in the last dig. Free entry, open 10am to 4pm on 27 & 28 Jan.
Goddards: 27 Tadcaster Road, York, YO24 1GG
The garden at Goddards hasn’t opened for the season when the Visit York Residents’ Festival takes place in January, so it’s opening its doors to residents for free on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March, 11am – 4pm. No booking required.
JORVIK Viking Centre: Coppergate Shopping Centre, YO1 9WT
Sat 27 Jan – Sun 28 Jan – Free to residents after 2pm. Pre-booking unavailable, please join the queue.
Meet the Neighbours at Holy Trinity, Goodramgate: Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, Goodramgate, York, YO1 2LF
Tours on Sat 27 & Sun 28 Jan
Merchant Adventurers’ Hall: Fossgate, York, YO1 8XD
Explore this stunning timber framed building free of charge on Saturday 27th January
National Centre for Early Music: St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York, YO1 9TL
Late Learners Jazz Workshop on Sat 27 Jan – suitable for over 18s.
YMF Jazz Ensemble and YMF Youth Jazz Ensemble in action, playing a mix of swing, contemporary jazz, and funky grooves on Sun 28 Jan.
The Guildhall, York: St Martins Courtyard, Coney St, York YO1 9QL
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the 15th century Medieval Hall and the Committee Room on Sat 27 Jan. Guided tours of the Council Chamber will also be available, with pre-booking required.
The Hole in Wand: 14-16 Coppergate Walk, York YO1 9NT (SOLD OUT)
SOLD OUT – All 750 Tickets now booked.
Treasurer’s House: Minster Yard, York, YO1 7JL
Treasurer’s House hasn’t opened for the season when the Visit York Residents’ Festival takes place in January, so it’s opening its doors to residents for free on Sunday 28 and Monday 29 April, 11am – 4pm.
York Cold War Bunker: Monument Close, York, North Yorkshire, YO24 4HT (SOLD OUT)
SOLD OUT – all free tours now booked
York’s Chocolate Story: King’s Square, York, YO1 7LD
Sat 27 Jan – Sun 28 Jan, tour times – 9.00am, 9.15am, 9.30am and 09.45am. First 100 visitors go FREE and 20% discount for local residents!
York Explore Library – Peopling the Past: Come and explore historic photographs of York residents: Library Square, York YO1 7DS
Sat 27 Jan – drop in anytime between 10am and 3pm, no need to book!
York Explore Library – Map Attack! Lego City of Wonder: Library Square, York YO1 7DS
Sat 27 Jan, drop in anytime between 10am and 3pm, no need to book!
York Mansion House: St Helen’s Square, York, YO1 9QL
Sat 27 Jan – Sun 28 Jan, 10am-5pm (last admission 4pm), free entry to the Rebuilding Lives Exhibition
York Minster: Deangate, York, YO1 7HH
General admission to York Minster is free for York Residents all year round! Please bring proof of residency upon your arrival to the cathedral to gain free access. Pre-booking is not required.
York Steiner School: 33 Fulford Cross YO10 4PB
Sun 27 Jan Eco crafts and science experiments for all ages with plenty of hot drinks and biscuits! Each session lasts 1 hour – booking is essential.
York Army Museum: 3 Tower Street, York, YO1 9SB
Visit for free between 10am and 5pm Friday 26th, Saturday 27th, Sunday 28th and Monday 29th January.
Yorkshire Air Museum: Halifax Way, Elvington, York, YO41 4AU
Residents of York can visit the Yorkshire Air Museum for free across the Residents’ Weekend. Note: this does not qualify for the usual 12 month free return.
Please note, some tours require pre-booking.
Deathly Dark Tours: Grape Lane, YORK, North Yorkshire, YO17HU
A one-off, FREE ghost walk for all York Residents on Sunday 28th January at 6pm.
Mountain Goat Tours: Tours of Yorkshire
Sat 27 Jan – Sun 28 Jan: York residents will receive a 50% discount.
York’s Hidden History: York City Centre
Free tours on Saturday January 27th – 11am-12pm – A Photographic Tour of Victorian York (from York Minster to Clifford’s Tower) and 2pm-3pm – A Photographic Tour of Victorian York (from York Minster to Clifford’s Tower)
Sunday January 28th – 11am-12pm – A Micklegate Meander (from Micklegate Bar to Queen’s Staith) and 2pm-3pm – Medieval York: A Guilded Tour (a round-trip starting and finishing outside York Guildhall)
York Guided Historic Pub Walks: Walks start from Minstergate YO1 7LG at the junction of College Street and Goodramgate
Free on 3pm 27th and 28th January. Each walk covers the history of 10-12 pubs as well as the centuries of events, people (and spirits) associated with them. Tours last for approx. 1.5 hours.
York Photo Walks: Starts outside The Minster West entrance
Places are limited so book early – 50% discount, just £10 for adults, kids under 16 go free with a paying adult
Yorkshire Appetite Food Tours: York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square, York
York Food Tour offers their food tours during the festival at a mere £35 per person – almost 50% off. Enjoy a culinary and cultural journey around five great local eateries, tasting delicious food along the way. A 3 hour experience. Friday 26th or Sunday 28th. Book soon. Limited places.
Wizard Walk of York: York City Centre
Sat 27 Jan – free tour. Places limited and allocated on a first come first served basis. Book early by sending an ‘owl’ (email) to info@wizardwalkofyork.com with your name, number of adults and children and any optional Wizard Wand Kits (£5 each, cash brought to the tour).
Please note, some venues require pre-booking.
Tabanco by Ambiente: 59-63 Walmgate, York, YO1 9TY
Enjoy any 3 tapas and a drink from our set York Resident’s Festival menu for only £20! Available from 11.30am until 10pm between Monday 29th January 2024 until Thursday 1st February 2024.
Ambiente Tapas Fossgate: 31 Fossgate, York YO1 9TA
Enjoy any 3 tapas and a drink from our set York Resident’s Festival menu for only £20! Available from 11.30am until 10pm between Monday 29th January 2024 until Thursday 1st February 2024
Ambiente Tapas Goodramgate: 14 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LQ
Enjoy any 3 tapas and a drink from our set York Resident’s Festival menu for only £20! Available from 11.30am until 10pm between Monday 29th January 2024 until Thursday 2nd February 2024.
Impossible York: St. Helens Square,York, YO1 8QN
30% off Food & Drink to York Residents for this years Residents Festival! To redeem this offer please quote IMP24 in the customer request box when booking online and be sure to bring proof of your York address along with you! Available 12pm – 6pm
Loopy Scoops: 3 Church Street, York, YO1 8BA
Buy a milkshake and get one free! Valid from 12pm – 4pm both days, Sat 27 Jan – Sun 28 Jan, 12pm – 4pm: Buy a milkshake and get one FREE!
Manhatten: 3 Little Stonegate, York YO1 8AX
Enjoy for half price 27-28th January. The offer allows customers to get 50% off their entire food bill when pre-booking to dine at Manahatta with code YORK50.
Pearly Cow: 1 Clifton, York YO30 6AA
Visit between 27th – 28th January you will receive 15% off your bill when you show your York Residents card. Valid against both food and drink.
The Grand, York: Station Rise, York, YO1 6GD
With proof of York residency, you can enjoy 25% off a Grand Afternoon Tea.
The Rise Restaurant: Station Road, York, YO24 1AA
Enjoy a two-course set menu for £35, or three-courses for £45.
Rio Brazilian Steakhouse: 18 Bridge St, York, YO1 6DA
25% off at Rio Brazilian Steakhouse York
York Explore Reading Café: Library Square, York YO1 7DS
Sat 27 Jan and Sun 28 Jan 10% discount off all food and drink at York Explore Reading Cafe & 10% off items from the York Explore shop.
Brimham Rocks – Try Rock Climbing and abseiling with Lost Earth Adventures: Brimham Rocks, Summerbridge, Harrogate HG3 4DW
3-hour taster session. Suitable for all abilities and anyone aged 7+. All equipment included. Maximum 2 people per booking. Session timings are 9am – 12pm or 1pm – 4pm. Pre-booking is essential.
Castle Howard: Castle Howard Estate, Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA
Free Gardens tickets and discounts in the Farm Shop and Courtyard Café. Subject to availability, and must be booked online in advance using the offer code: YORKRESFEST24
York Gin 3 in 1: 12 Pavement, York
Free mulled drinks, a free mini when you spend £30 & refill discount, 26 -28 Jan
Hidden Treasures: 29 George Hudson Street, York. YO1 6JL
10% discount from 26th Jan – 31st Jan 2024
Avorium: 13 Colliergate, York, YO1 8BP
Sat 27 Jan, 10am – 6pm and Sun 28 Jan, 10am – 5pm: Free On-The-Spot Personalisation at Avorium!
Love Cheese: 16 Gillygate, York, YO31 7EQ
10% discount across all items in the shop and Speakcheesey from 27th Jan – 28th Jan 2024
Pitch 22: 22 Fishergate, York YO10 10AB
20% discount on all records and books on 27th January 2024, open from 12 – 6pm
Rafi’s Spicebox: 17 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LW
10% off for all residents who spend £5 or more in-store.
The Potions Cauldron: 9 3/4, Shambles, York, YO1 7LZ
10% off all purchases in store during Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th January 2024 at The Potions Cauldron, Shambles York
Spa at No.1: 1 Clifton, York, YO30 6AA
Book a 60-minute Ritual and a bespoke treatment to you to revitalise your mind, body and soul. Get 20% off your first treatment between Sunday 28th January – 2nd February 2024
Find out how to get a YorkCard here
Find your nearest York Explore library here
Details of ALL the attractions, events & offers that are included on Visit York here
💜 We hope you enjoy York Residents’ Festival 2024 and get to discover some new places in York! 💜
