The first-time collaboration between the museum and the Shambles-based artisan shop will run from Saturday, 24th October through Sunday, 1st November. Visitors can follow a self-guided trail through Station Hall to spot the hidden ghosts while learning Victorian railway lore and York ghost stories linked to the museum’s collection.

“York is said to be one of the most haunted cities in the world, and part of that reputation is thanks to the ghostly tales about the railways,” said Sarah Price, Head of Public Programming at the National Railway Museum. “The beautiful Victorian style and stories associated with York Ghost Merchants fits so well with the style and stories of Station Hall, with its opulent Victorian carriages and secret dark corners – it seemed like the perfect collaboration.”

The ghost hunt anchors a broader October half-term schedule at the venue. A complementary programme, titled Echoes on the Line, will feature live storytelling sessions and 19th-century keepsake craft workshops. The museum’s interactive Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery will also offer Halloween-themed activities, including ultrasound experiments and a robot-car haunted train.

All activities run daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM throughout the half-term week.

​Running from 29th to 31st August 2026, the three-day event pairs the timber-framed medieval townhouse, once home to former Lord Mayor of York and wealthy goldsmith William Snawsell, with hands-on historic combat demonstrations.

​Re-enactors from history group Three Swords will set up inside the Coffee Yard property to explore the 30-year conflict between the Houses of Lancaster and York. Visitors will be able to inspect period weapons and armour before watching live demonstrations of armed and unarmed combat drawn directly from fechtbücher (medieval fighting manuals).

​”We are hugely excited to be embracing this turbulent part of English history for our Medieval Weekend at Barley Hall,” said Richard Jones, event manager for York Archaeology, the educational charity that owns and operates the restored townhouse. “The external courtyard and grandeur of the Great Hall provide superb locations for this kind of display, whatever weather the bank holiday weekend throws at us.”

​The venue will host main combat presentations twice daily at 11:30am and 2:00pm, alongside guided historical tours of the hall at 1:00pm and 3:00pm.

​The event runs daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm (last admission at 4:30pm) and is included with standard entry tickets: £9.50 for adults, £5.50 for children, £7.75 for students, and family packages starting from £22.75.

​Running from Saturday, August 29 through Monday, August 31, the three-day event builds on last year’s debut by introducing the new Sizzling Showdown Arena. Hosted by comedian Neil Frost and partnered with Pure Pet Food, the venue will feature interactive audience events ranging from a family dog show to a chilli-eating contest and pie-themed bingo.

​The festival’s expanded footprint includes four distinct entertainment zones. The Main Stage will host 20 local and tribute acts across the weekend, headlined by Arctic Monkeys tribute band The Mardy Bums on Saturday night and Planet ABBA on Sunday evening.

​Gastronomy remains central to the event, with the Yorkshire Food Guide Cookery Theatre hosting live demonstrations from regional chefs, including Jon Appleby, Sandy Docherty, Sumith Babu, and Chris Hobson.

​Over 70 regional artisans will sell produce and crafts in the market area, complemented by two dedicated bar streets featuring 10 local vendors, including Vocation Brewery’s real ale setup. The central Street Food Arena brings together 23 international food vendors.

​Beyond food, the grounds feature hands-on activity stations including historical cooking demonstrations by the Viking Heritage Kitchen, target workshops, VR gaming, axe throwing, and free children’s cooking classes by Artisan Cooks.

​Organisers have partnered with Sheffield Mind to collect donations on-site, aiming to add to the £191,000 previously raised for Mind charities at sister events across England.

​Gates open Saturday at 10:00 AM, with free parking available adjacent to the site.

The collaborative day gives visitors of all ages the opportunity to learn about marine conservation, explore the Yorkshire coastline, and participate in hands-on environmental activities.

Between 11:00am and 3:00pm, Deep Crew educators and Sewerby volunteers will host drop-in sessions in the Orangery. Activities include beachcombing, creating unique marine artwork, handling historical sea artefacts, and identifying native rockpool species using dedicated guide sheets.

In addition to the Orangery setup, visitors can join guided Seaside Safari sessions running from 11:30am–12:30pm and 1:30pm–2:30pm. These outdoor sessions take participants directly onto the beach at Sewerby to explore active rockpools and observe local marine life in its natural habitat.

“We are delighted to welcome back Deep Crew to Sewerby Hall and Gardens for another exciting Ecology at the Beach event. The Deep Crew sessions are always extremely popular, offering families the chance to explore the local coastline, get a closer look at its wildlife and learn the importance of protecting our natural environment. Working in partnership with The Deep allows us to inspire curiosity, especially with young people, and encourage visitors to connect with nature.”

— Councillor Nick Coultish, East Riding of Yorkshire Council

The initiative aims to build a deeper connection between coastal visitors and local wildlife protection efforts.

“These popular sessions provide a fantastic opportunity for families to explore our local coastline, discover the incredible wildlife found along the Yorkshire coast, and learn more about the importance of protecting our natural environment. Working in partnership with The Deep allows us to offer engaging, hands-on experiences that inspire curiosity.”

— Marie Gascoigne, General Manager at Sewerby Hall and Gardens

The Deep’s Education Team added that they are thrilled to continue their long-standing partnership with Sewerby Hall, using the event to bring local families closer to the natural wonders of the Yorkshire coast.

All Ecology at the Beach activities are included with standard admission charges to Sewerby Hall and Gardens. Further details and advance bookings can be accessed via thedeep.co.uk/events/ecology-beach.

The Yorkshire family attraction is introducing an expanded line-up of live-action entertainment, interactive trails, and seasonal activities across the park. At the heart of this year’s event is the brand-new Woodland Witches experience, which transforms the Enchanted Forest into a magical world where young adventurers can meet mischievous witches and take part in hands-on challenges.

As visitors journey through the forest collecting stamps on their trail sheets, they will explore several new interactive locations:

• The Willow of Whispering Wishes: An ancient tree guardian where children can share their dreams.
• The Menagerie of Mismatched Monsters: A storytelling hub bringing strange new creatures to life.
• The Pantry of Poisonous Potions: An activity zone packed with bubbling ingredients and playful challenges.
• The Wardrobe of Witchy Wonders: A family dress-up space designed for seasonal photo opportunities.

Alongside the forest trail, children can tackle the Mummy Maze to help a forgetful mummy track down her missing children hidden within Stockeld’s hedge maze.

Guests can also ride tractor-trailers out to the pumpkin patch to purchase home-grown weird and wonderful pumpkin varieties. Additional park highlights include live-action scarecrow encounters, six outdoor playgrounds, and Zombie Laser Tag – an action-packed outdoor woodland battle available as an optional add-on.

For visitors seeking evening entertainment, Stockeld Park is introducing all-new Pumpkin Nights on 17th and 24th October. As darkness falls over the patch, the after-dark experience will feature live folk music, roaming performers, seasonal games, and a fire-eating show.

“Halloween is always one of our favourite times of year. This year’s event combines everything families love about Stockeld with some fantastic new experiences. From magical witches and ancient woodland guardians to pumpkin picking and spooky evening entertainment, we’ve created an adventure that captures the fun and imagination of Halloween without being too frightening for younger visitors.”

— Peter Grant, Owner and Chief Fun Officer at Stockeld Park

The Halloween Adventure will run throughout October, with tickets and further event details available online at stockeldpark.co.uk.

Hosted in partnership with the Yorkshire Food Guide, the stage will feature a handpicked group of regional culinary experts, including award-winning head chefs, independent business owners, community educators, and a fan-favourite contestant from The Great British Bake Off.

Leading the lineup is cookbook author and Great British Bake Off alumnus Sandy Docherty, known for her community work across Yorkshire and her philosophy of “baking down barriers” through food. Joining her is Jon Appleby, former Culinary Director at The Mill Group and current Head Chef at Middlesbrough College, where he trains the next generation of culinary talent.

The stage will also showcase Chris Hobson, Senior Sous Chef at Wrea Head Hall and recipient of the inaugural Deliciously Yorkshire Taste Awards Rising Star award, who is recognised for his focus on locally sourced produce.

Rounding out the programme are Niki Baker, Community Engagement Lead at the Blend Culinary Foundation – a social enterprise focused on alleviating poverty through cooking – and Sumith Babu, founder of Nourish by Sumith, who will demonstrate authentic Indian cooking techniques focused on clean, natural ingredients.

Full running orders, festival ticket details, and event updates are available via the Graves Park Food Festival website.

Running from 10.30am to 4.30pm, the festival brings together world street food vendors, ethical lifestyle brands, and local producers across more than 60 stalls. Located on Westgate, near Wakefield Westgate railway station, the event offers free entry for accompanied under-16s and caters to vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians, and curious foodies alike.

“The festival brings together world street food, ethical brands, and the vegan community in one incredible day. Whether you are flexitarian, vegan-curious, vegetarian, or just looking for a great day out, everyone is welcome.”

– Vegan Events UK

Stallholders and Regional Highlights

Local West Yorkshire vendors take centre stage at the event. Castleford-based brewery Lab in the Garage will serve core craft beers made with locally sourced malt, including traditional northern bitters and oatmeal stouts.

West Yorkshire caterers Relevance will bring plant-based versions of traditional Yorkshire bakes, scotch eggs, pies, and sweet treats. York-based Drink Me Designs will showcase hand-drawn, animal-inspired illustrations produced using organic cotton, recycled card, and vegan inks.

Animal welfare charity Miracle’s Mission will also host a stall to raise funds for rescuing, neutering, and rehabilitating sick and disabled animals globally.

Talks, Demos, and Workshops

Alongside shopping and food sampling, visitors can attend a full schedule of educational talks and interactive sessions:

• Gut Health & Hormones: Anne Davies hosts a session on plant-based nutrition, hormone balance, and gut health.
• Easy Entertaining: Jessica Goldthorpe leads a workshop on creating whole-food menus for dinner parties.
• Fitness & Mindfulness: Muay Thai coach Benny Green runs an authentic training session blending technique and power.
• Live Demos: The Vegetarian Society hosts live cookery demonstrations throughout the afternoon.
• Community Stories: The Vegan Society hosts a panel exploring the positive personal impacts of vegan living.

Tickets and Volunteering

Standard tickets cost £5, while VIP tickets are available for £15 and include a goody bag packed with samples, discounts, and a free can of CBD wine from sponsor Rebel Wine for guests over 18. All tickets must be booked in advance online.

Organisers are also recruiting volunteers for morning, afternoon, or full-day shifts to assist with scanning tickets, managing payments, and running charity stalls. Volunteers receive free entry to the festival alongside a complimentary food voucher.

Full event details, volunteer registration, and advance tickets are available via the Vegan Events UK website.

Taking place in the shopping centre’s Orange Car Park from 10am to 3pm, the event features recognisable vehicles from film and television. Visitors can see screen favourites including Lightning McQueen from Cars, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles van, the Batman v Superman Batmobile, the Jurassic Park Jeep, the Toy Story Truck, the Hot Fuzz police car, and two Transformers trucks – alongside a live character appearance from Bumblebee. Classic UK TV favourites, such as the Only Fools and Horses van and Danger Mouse’s car, will also be on display.

In addition to film vehicles, the show includes classic models such as Morris Minors, vintage Jaguars, an American police car, and an Aston Martin. Supercars on site will feature Lamborghini Huracáns and Audi R8s, with the Sporting Bears Motor Club returning to offer passenger “Dream Rides” in high-performance vehicles for a charity donation.

Darren Pearce, centre director at Meadowhall, said: “Whether you love the Transformers films, have little ones who are obsessed with Lightning McQueen or grew up watching Only Fools and Horses, there really is something for every generation. With Hollywood favourites, supercars, classic motors and plenty of family entertainment, it promises to be a brilliant bank holiday day out, with every ticket sold helping to support the vital work of Bluebell Wood.”

Heidi Hawkins, CEO of Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, added: “Every ticket, raffle entry and supercar ride helps us continue providing that vital support, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone on bank holiday Monday.”

Tickets cost £6 per person, with free admission for children under two when accompanied by an adult. All tickets must be purchased online in advance. Each booking includes a code for complimentary entry to Meadowhall’s Summer Beach Club, subject to availability. Full booking details and ticket access are available on the Meadowhall website.

Inspired by the museum’s latest exhibition, Setting the Stage: 70 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest, the venue has transformed into a music-filled hub for the summer holidays. Free general museum admission includes access to family silent discos, dressing-up photo zones, and a self-guided Pop Academy trail that reveals the media technology behind famous pop icons.

Visitors can also test their music trivia in Setting the Stage, a free interactive live game show hosted by the museum’s Explainers. The show delves into the 70-year technological evolution that brought the Eurovision Song Contest to television screens across the globe.

For hands-on music makers, the Recycled Remix Lab (£2 per child; free for adults and under-5s) offers a chance to play record producer for a day. The workshop lets kids experiment with acoustics, vibrations, and simple circuits by repurposing old electronics to craft original tracks.

Alongside the interactive galleries, Pictureville Cinema is giving its Kids’ Club screenings a pop music spin throughout August. The summer schedule features special Saturday sing-a-long editions of Frozen and Moana, alongside daily family film screenings priced at £2.60 per ticket as part of the Government’s Great British Summer Savings initiative.

Free museum entry passes, cinema tickets, and workshop bookings are available online through the National Science and Media Museum website.

International smash-hit SIX returns from Tuesday 1st to Saturday 12th September. The award-winning musical sees the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their personal stories, remixing 500 years of history into an 80-minute pop power show. The production has secured over 35 international awards, including Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Costume Design, alongside a Gold-Disk-winning album.

Following SIX, MAMMA MIA! takes over the Lyceum stage from Tuesday 15th to Saturday 26th September. Set on a Greek island, the show follows Sophie’s quest to discover her father’s identity on the eve of her wedding, reuniting her mother with three men from her past. The narrative is set to the classic pop catalogue of ABBA.

Tickets for both SIX and MAMMA MIA! can be booked in person at the Sheffield Theatres Box Office, over the phone on 0114 249 6000, or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.