York Residents’ Festival returns from Saturday the 27th of January and will continue until Sunday the 28th.
To celebrate York’s incredible cultural scene, the festival will see the area’s top attractions — from Beningbrough Hall to The Hole in Wand and everything in-between — open their doors to residents, many of which are completely free!
So long as you show up with a valid York Card, student card or identity card that proves your residency you’ll be entitled to walk the city streets on a Wizard Walk of York or explore the stunning timber frames of The Merchant Adventurers Hall.
Family days out and attractions:
Barley Hall: 2 Coffee Yard, off Stonegate— Sat 27 Jan – Sun 28 Jan, 10am – 4pm. See costumes worn by famous actors such as Kate Winslet and Al Pacino, make yourself at home and explore the Great Hall decked out and ready for a medieval feast. Free to residents all day. Pre-booking unavailable.
Beningbrough Hall and Gardens, Beningbrough — Show your proof of address at the till for free entry to Beningbrough all weekend. No booking required.
Bar Convent: 17 Blossom Street.— Explore the UK’s oldest living convent, established in secret in 1686 when Catholicism was illegal.50p entry for York Residents. Saturday 27 January only.
City Cruises: Kings Staith or Lendal Bridge.— Free cruises at selected times across the weekend.
Castle Howard — Free admission to 300-year-old historic house! These are subject to availability, and must be booked online in advance using the offer code: YORKRESFEST24.— Booking Link.
DIG: An Archaeological Adventure: St Saviour’s Church, St Saviourgate— Free to York residents after 2pm. Pre-booking unavailable. Tickets are offered on a first-come, first-served, served basis.
Get Cycling CIC: 22 Hospital Fields, Fulford. — In case you need some help getting about the city as you hop between attractions, this bike shop are offering a 50% discount on bike hire throughout the festival. Call 01904 636 812 for more details.
Fishergate Postern Tower: Junction of Piccadilly & Lead Mill Lane— Climb the narrow spiral staircase of this early Tudor tower, work the model portcullis and find a remarkably complete garderobe, masons’ marks, reused roof beams and our displays, including replicas reborn from fragments found in their last dig. Free entry, open 10am to 4pm.
JORVIK Viking Centre: Coppergate Shopping Centre— Sat 27 Jan – Sun 28 Jan – Free to residents after 2pm. Pre-booking unavailable, please join the queue.
Merchant Adventurers’ Hall: Fossgate— Explore free of charge on Saturday 27th January
The Guildhall, York: St Martins Courtyard, Coney St.
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.
Clifford’s Tower: between Clifford and Tower Street. — Free entry for York residents!! There is reduced capacity however so arrive early or expect queues.
Wizard Walk of York — Free tours on the 27th of January! Explore York like never before and enjoy five-star family fun with spellbinding magic, comedy and a dash of York’s history as you search for magical creatures throughout the city centre.
Fairfax House: Castlegate — Free tickets for residents! Step behind the scenes of one of York’s finest townhouses, during what is usually the closed season.
York’s Chocolate Story: King’s Square— The first 100 visitors go FREE, even those who are too late will still receive a 20% discount.
Rebuilding Lives Exhibition at York Mansion House : St Helen’s Square— Entry is free for York residents upon showing photo ID.
York Minster: Deangate— 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 Army Museum: Tower Street— Discover over 300 years of Yorkshire military history with a variety of trails, crafts and object handling for completely free between 10am and 5pm Friday 26th, Saturday 27th, Sunday 28th and Monday 29th January.
Yorkshire Air Museum: Halifax Way, Elvington— Residents of York can visit the Yorkshire Air Museum for free across the Residents’ Weekend.
The Deathly Dark Tours: Grape Lane. — A one off, FREE ghost walk for all York Residents on Sunday 28th January at 6pm. If you would like to join, please visit the event page HERE and enter the code resfest24 to claim your free tickets.
Food and Drink
Once you’re done seeing historical sites and wandering the streets, a huge range of top bars, eateries and retailers are offering exclusive resident discounts all weekend long.
The Grand, York: Station Rise— With proof of York residency, you can enjoy 25% off a Grand Afternoon Tea. Then at their in house — and AA Rosette awarded— The Rise Restaurant, you can enjoy a two-course set menu for £35, or three-courses for £45.
Ambiente Tapas: 31 Fossgate and 14 Goodramgate— Enjoy any three tapas and a drink for only £20! Available from 11.30am until 10pm between Monday 29th January 2024 until Thursday 1st February 2024
Impossible York: St. Helens Square— 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
The Potions Cauldron: 9 and 3/4 The Shambles. —York Residents will receive 10% off all purchases in store during Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th January 2024.
Loopy Scoops: 3 Church Street— Buy a milkshake and get one free! Valid from 12pm – 4pm both days, Sat 27 Jan – Sun 28 Jan, 12pm – 4pm.
Manahatta: 3 Little Stonegate — The offer allows customers to get 50% off their entire food bill when pre-booking to dine at Manahatta with code YORK50.
Pearly Cow: Bootham— Visit between 27th – 28th January you will receive 15% off your bill when you show your York Residents card. Valid for both food and drink.
Heavenly Desserts: Blake Street — Enjoy a free glass of Martini, Milkshake, Iced or Hot drink with each Dessert you order throughout the weekend.
Rio Brazilian Steakhouse: 18 Bridge St — 25% off at Rio Brazilian Steakhouse.
York Explore Reading Café: Library Square— 10% discount off all food and drink at York Explore Reading Cafe & 10% off items from the York Explore shop.
For more information head to www.visityork.org.
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