May Half-Term at York Castle Museum

Saturday 23 May – Sunday 31 2026 | Book tickets

All May Half-Term activities are suitable for all ages and included in general admission. 

Be immersed in history and nostalgia this May Half-Term, with activities, demonstrations and games dating from the Victorian era to the 1960s. 

Whether you’re travelling to York for a day out during the school holidays, or want to take a break from everyday life, York Castle Museum promises a fun and educational day out for all ages. 

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What’s On

Castle Kitchen: Retro School Puddings
Saturday 23 May, Monday 25 May, Thursday 28 May and Saturday 30 May 2026, drop-in between 10.30am – 4pm
Included in general admission
Come watch our cookery demonstrations throughout the day of retro school pudding recipes including Jam Roly Poly, Chocolate Concrete and Cornflake Tart with Pink Custard. There’ll be samples to treat your taste buds! 

Pick up a recipe card or scan the QR code available to get the recipes straight to your phone to try recreate yourself at home. 

Creative Families
Friday 29 May 2026, drop in between 10.30am – 3.30pm
Included in general admission
Join artist Lendita for a fun, creative workshop inspired Victorian games and toys. You’ll make a split pin paper toy that can move to take home with you. 

Daily activities: 

Pop Up Play
Saturday 23 May – Saturday 30 May 2026, drop in between 10.30am – 4.30pm
Included in general admission
Playful Anywhere are joining us with games glore! Head outside to our Mill Yard to enjoy some playground games from the past. We’ll also have some games on our 1960’s street including Cat’s Cradle and Slinkys.

Victorian Classroom: Physical Education
Daily, 12.30pm and 3pm (2 x 15-minute sessions)
Included in general admission
Learn about physical education lessons from the past in our Victorian classroom. 

Sugar, Skill and Shiftwork Sensory Stations
Daily
Drop-in, self-led activity
Included in general admission
Experience our community exhibition Sugar, Skill and Shiftwork in a whole new way with our sensory stations throughout, allowing you to experience the sights, smells and sounds of York’s chocolate factories. 

Creative Studio
Open daily, 10am – 5pm
Drop-in, self-led activity
Included in general admission
Sketch out your dream Victorian outfit using the fabrics, hats, shoes and dresses on display for inspiration in York Castle Museum’s Creative Studio. 

Little Spotters
Daily, 10am – 4.30pm
Self-led activity
Included in general admission
Collect a Little Spotters activity sheet, available in the Secrets of Dress exhibition, and explore historic fashion items on display. There’s also a colouring sheet on the back for you to complete during your visit, or to take home. 

Cells Talks
Daily, 11.30am and 2.30pm
Included in general admission
Discover the history of York Castle prison and some of its notorious inmates. 

Kirkgate Talks
Daily, 11.30am and 2pm
Included in general admission
Learn about the creation of the Victorian street, Kirkgate, one of the oldest recreated indoor streets of its kind in the world. 

Time Traveller’s Activity Trail
Daily, 10am – 4.30pm
Self-led activity
Included in general admission
Collect a trail booklet from the admissions desk
Explore York Castle Museum and discover fascinating stories and facts about some of the historical objects on display with our interactive Time Traveller’s Activity Trail booklet.  

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General admission tickets last 12 months and allow unlimited free entry to York Castle Museum throughout the year, meaning you can return for summer and even Christmas 2026, offering great value days out for the family all year! 

York Castle Museum is open Monday – Sunday. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the admissions desk on the day.

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Looking for more ways to entertain the family throughout the holidays? Find out more about our May Half-Term programme at our other sites.

What’s on this May Half-Term at Yorkshire Museum

What’s on this May Half-Term at York Art Gallery