What's on in York, United Kingdom through the year

Busy — Christmas holidays in United Kingdom, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: The Ouse comes up (1 Nov – 28 Feb (usually))

Peak crowds — JORVIK Viking Festival, February half-term in United Kingdom

• Festival

  JORVIK Viking Festival

  16–22 FebMajor festivalCrowded

  A week of combat displays, encampments and a march through the streets over February half-term, run out of the Coppergate dig. It is the busiest the city gets before Easter. Source ↗

Still on: The Ouse comes up (1 Nov – 28 Feb (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in March.

Busy — Easter / spring holiday in United Kingdom, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in April.

Busy — Late-May half-term in United Kingdom, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in May.

Busy — Late-May half-term in United Kingdom, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in June.

Peak crowds — English school holidays, Summer holidays in United Kingdom

• Holiday

  English school holidays

  18 Jul – 1 SepCrowded

  The Shambles is a lane wide enough for two people and takes the whole of August. The Minster and the walls absorb it; the streets between them do not. Source ↗

Peak crowds — travelers describe it as peak season, English school holidays

• Festival

  Ebor Festival at York Races

  19–22 AugMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  Four days of flat racing on the Knavesmire in the third week of August, and the week the city's hotels charge the most. The centre fills with race-goers from lunchtime on. Source ↗

Still on: English school holidays (18 Jul – 1 Sep)

Busy — English school holidays, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  York Food and Drink Festival

  15–30 Sep · usuallyMajor festival

  Ten days of markets, tastings and demonstrations across Parliament Street and the guildhalls in the second half of September, after the summer crowds and before the market chalets. Source ↗

Still on: English school holidays (18 Jul – 1 Sep)

Busy — October half-term in United Kingdom, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in October.

Busy — St Nicholas Fair, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Hazard

  The Ouse comes up

  1 Nov – 28 Feb · usuallyFlood seasonClosures

  King's Staith and the riverside pubs flood most winters — the pubs have tide marks on the walls and mop out afterwards. The Foss Barrier holds the worst of it back from the centre. Source ↗

• Festival

  St Nicholas Fair

  12 Nov – 21 DecChristmas & New YearCrowded

  Alpine chalets down Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square from the middle of November, with the Shambles lit above them. Weekends are shoulder to shoulder; weekday mornings are fine. Source ↗

Peak crowds — St Nicholas Fair, Christmas holidays in United Kingdom

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: The Ouse comes up (1 Nov – 28 Feb (usually)), St Nicholas Fair (12 Nov – 21 Dec)