FESTIVAL CITY YORK 2015
York’s Main Event Calendar
Including: Jorvik Viking Festival, Early Music Festival, Festival of Food and Drink,
Illuminating York, St Nicholas Christmas Festival, Festival of Angels and more …
31st JORVIK Viking Festival: 14 - 22 February 2015
Discover a world of myths and legends in York in February 2015 as Vikings descend on the city for the
biggest and best Viking Festival. Join in the action with Vikings from all over the world for a nine day
celebration of York’s Viking heritage. With an explosive programme of events inspired by Norse
mythology including dramatic combat performances, crafts, lectures and tours as well as music and
archaeological expert sessions. The festival will start with Coppergate camp, where the Vikings resided
after arriving here followed by different events for grown-ups and children throughout the week finishing
with the grand finale – the Battle of Fulford, where Hardraada’s Vikings clashed with the men of York in a
pre-cursor to the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Public contact: Call JORVIK Group Reservations on 01904 615505 or visit the website at www.jorvikviking-festival.co.uk. Press contacts: Jay Commins. Email: [email protected]. Samantha Orange.
Email: [email protected]. Pyper York Limited. Tel: 01904 500698, mob: 07810 546567, website:
www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk/press.
York Literature Festival: 19 - 29 March 2015
York Literature Festival 2015 features a wide range of author-related events, poetry, talks, workshops
and more. Headliners include Dr David Starkey, who will talk about 'York's Place In History' at York Grand
Opera House on Sunday 22nd March 2015. An afternoon music and comedy special will feature hilarious
poet John Hegley and top York folk band Blackbeard's Tea Party. Jenni Murray, presenter of BBC Radio
4's 'Woman's Hour', will talk about her life in broadcasting. Novelist Matt Haig will discuss 'Reasons to
Stay Alive'. As the festival takes place two months from a general election, this year has a political
flavour, with Guardian Journalist Polly Toynbee asking if David Cameron has been good for the country,
and Matthew D'Ancona examining the pitfalls of working with your political enemies as he scrutinises the
coalition over the last five years. There's also a range of workshops and author events, including literary
agents giving advice on how to submit work to the people who matter.
Public contact: Follow the festival on Twitter @YorkLitFest or visit www.yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk
Press contact: Miles Salter, Email: [email protected], Tel: 01904 412892
York Open Studios: 17 - 19 & 25 - 26 April 2015
Open over two weekends in the spring, and initiated with the aim of promoting, celebrating and
encouraging participation in the visual arts, York Open Studios is the chance to experience the world of
selected artists and makers, discover their passions and inspiration, share their knowledge and support
their engagement with the local community. With studios, workshops and exhibitions open all over the
city York Open Studios has become a major event and over its thirteen years has introduced hundreds of
artists to the public. York Open Studios is a not for profit organisation run by a committee of volunteers
for the benefit of York residents, artists and visitors.
Public and Press contact: Anne Hutchison. Tel: 01904 422193, email: [email protected] or
visit: www.yorkopenstudios.co.uk
York Chocolate Festival: 3 - 6 April 2015
York will be once again hosting its Chocolate Festival in the spring of 2015. The four-day festival will
celebrate the many chocolate products that have been created in the city such as Chocolate Orange,
Smarties, Aero, and Kit Kat. It will focus on local artisan chocolate makers and skilled chocolatiers who fill
York's restaurants, shops and hotels with the most delectable cakes, pastries, chocolates and desserts.
The Chocolate Market will showcase the fine quality creations from local chocolatiers, while venues and
attractions throughout the city will tell their own story of their role in York's chocolate story. There will
be chocolate tastings, workshops and specialist insights into the history, technology, product
development and industry that is still strong in the city today.
Public contact: For full programme and tickets visit the website at www.yorkchocolatefestival.co.uk or
call 01904 898393. Press contact: Sophie Jewett. Tel: 01904 898393 / 07810 486 565, email:
[email protected].
Tour de Yorkshire: 1 - 3 May 2015
Excitement is building after the key locations were announced that will host a start or finish line for the
first ever Tour de Yorkshire international cycle race. Bridlington, Leeds, Scarborough, Selby, Wakefield
and York will all host a prestigious start or finish of the new UCI-approved 2.1 Europe Tour race. The race
is expected to become a flagship cycling event in the UK in 2015 and an outstanding cycle race in the
international calendar, including the participation of top international teams. It will be broadcast live on
national TV and throughout Europe.
Public contact: For full programme and tickets visit the website at http://letour.yorkshire.com/. Press
contact: Dee Marshall, Head of Communications at Welcome to Yorkshire. Tel: 0113 322 3505, email:
[email protected].
York International Shakespeare Festival: 9 - 16 May 2015
The York International Shakespeare Festival (‘YorkShakes’) is a major new cultural venture for York and
for the North. It emerges from a productive and ambitious partnership between the York Theatre Royal,
the University of York and Parrabbola, drawing in many other city, regional partners, national and
international partners. YorkShakes launches in May 2015 for the first of its annual spring festivals.
Each year it will include productions by major established companies delivering Shakespeare in
recognisable and affecting ways alongside experimental new work challenging received ideas about
specific plays, and in some cases, about the business of theatre itself. For the eight days of the Festival,
York will be given over to Shakespearean productions, screenings, exhibitions, events, workshops, and
talks with a programme featuring both international professional theatre and local amateur theatre.
There will be family friendly events suitable for children, outreach activities into local state schools and
an international conference for academics.
The festival will include a screening of the 1921 silent film Hamlet: Drama of Vengeance from Silents
Now, Romeo & Juliet from The Flanagan Collective in association with York Theatre Royal, King Lear from
Northern Broadsides (directed by internationally acclaimed director Jonathan Miller) and a host of other
work adapted and inspired by Shakespeare from around the world. The festival will run from Saturday 9
May to Saturday 16 May and take place in venues across the city and on The University of York campus.
Public contact: The full programme will be available in January 2015. To book and for more information
contact the York Theatre Royal Box Office 01904 623568 or visit www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Press contact: Chloe Ward Tel: 01904 550149, Email: [email protected]
York Horse Races: May - October 2015
York Racecourse, known as the Knavesmire, has been a favourite amongst racegoers since it was
founded in 1731. In 2015, 17 meetings combine top class horseracing with world-class facilities to make
it a sporting and social occasion for all to enjoy. Even if your horse fails to come up with the goods, it’s a
fabulous day out in a beautiful location, a chance to dress up, and jolly good fun into the bargain.
Dates for 2015 fixtures:
13th – 15th May: Dante Festival
30th May: May Spring Meeting
12th June – 13th June: June Meeting
10th July – 11th July: John Smith’s Cup Meeting
24th July – 25th July: Music Showcase Weekend
19th – 22nd August: Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival
6th September: September Meeting
9th – 10th October: October Meeting
Public contact: For more information visit www.yorkracecourse.co.uk or telephone 01904 620911
York Festival of Ideas: 9 - 21 June 2015
The York Festival of Ideas will return with a theme of ‘Secrets and Discoveries’. York Festival of Ideas has
talks from world-class speakers, performances, exhibitions and interactive experiences for all ages.
Venues across the city and around the University of York campus will host events as part of the festival.
Public contact: For full programme and tickets visit the website at http://yorkfestivalofideas.com.
York Early Music Festival: 3 - 11 July 2015
The 2015 festival starting point will be the 600th Anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt and features
cross-currents between France and England from the Middle Ages through to the Baroque. Highlights
include a newly constructed medieval soundscape for Carl Theodor Dreyer's 1928 silent masterpiece ‘La
Passion de Jeanne d'Arc’ presented by The Orlando Consort; Andrew Parrott's ‘Taverner Consort’ in a
glorious programme of music reflecting the ‘Field of the Cloth of Gold’, The Clerks' Group presenting ‘Cry
God for Harry’ and the Early Opera Company in a programme of ‘Purcell and Charpentier’. The festival
finishes with the 2015 International Young Artists Competition when we welcome the next generation of
early music performers to York. Further details and tickets will be available from March 2015.
Public contact: Further
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Great Yorkshire Fringe: 24 July - 2 August 2015
Top notch comedians and fantastic family entertainment will be hitting York’s city centre next year in
what promises to be a ten-day festival of fun and frivolity. The Great Yorkshire Fringe will see the city’s
well-known thoroughfares to be transformed into vibrant and exciting performance spaces, with multiple
stages and plenty of entertainment for young and old alike. The Great Yorkshire Fringe, founded by
Martin Witts, will see London’s Leicester Square Theatre and the newly opened Museum of Comedy host
a range of well-known acts and shows. There will also be a Yorkshire tent, promoting plenty of
homegrown talent.
For more information visit www.greatyorkshirefringe.com
Press contact: Anne Taylor, Tel: 01904 500500, Email: [email protected]
Yorkshire Medieval Festival: 19 - 31 August 2015
The Yorkshire Medieval Festival takes God’s own County back to the Middle Ages each summer.
Organised by The JORVIK Group, creators of the famous JORVIK Viking Festival, The Yorkshire Medieval
Festival brings with it a wide range of events and activities for all the family to enjoy. Visitors can try their
hand at archery, discover mighty birds of prey with falconry demonstrations, see brave knights battle in
thrilling re-enactments and spend the day in some of Yorkshire’s most idyllic settings. For the whole
month of August, locations across Yorkshire that are brimming with medieval history, as well as
attractions within York’s City Walls, are hand-picked to host a festival of fun, merriment and engaging
historical discussion.
Public contact: Call JORVIK Group Reservations on 01904 615505 or visit the website at www.jorvikviking-festival.co.uk. Press contacts: Jay Commins. Email: [email protected]. Samantha Orange.
Email: [email protected]. Pyper York Limited. Tel: 01904 500698. Mob: 07810 546567. Website:
www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk/press.
York National Book Fair: 18 - 19 September 2015
The biggest rare and collectable book fair in the UK returns to York once again in 2015. Held over two
days, over 220 of this country's leading booksellers but also many dealers from overseas offer for sale a
breathtaking diversity of books, as well as posters, ephemera, manuscripts, maps & prints, ranging in
price from just a few pounds up to tens of thousands of pounds. Over half a million pounds worth of
books are sold over the two days. There will also be bookbinders, paper restorers, calligraphers and
others in the associated trades’ area.
Public contact: Call 01904 624414 or visit the website at http://www.yorkbookfair.com/ or email
[email protected]. Press contact: Tony Fothergill. Tel: 01904 624414, email
[email protected]. Janette Ray. Tel: 01904 623088, email: [email protected].
York Food Festival: 18 - 27 September 2015
2015 Theme: Food in words and pictures
6 - 7 June (taster event)
York Food and Drink Festival will offer day and evening events from wine tastings, talks and food tastings
to cookery demonstrations and hands on workshops in some of the city’s iconic historic buildings. There
will be special restaurant offers and menus, as well as the chance to sample an eclectic mix of foods from
Yorkshire and around the world. This ten day annual festival in September is the largest food and drink
festival in the UK, with more venues than any other. Each year the food festival takes on a different
theme and for 2015 this will be ‘food in words and pictures, which will include: an online
cookery book, an edible hat, a food photography competition and recreations of historic York recipes.
A smaller ‘taster’ event in June will whet your appetite for what’s to come with chef demonstrations,
bars and the launch of the food in words and pictures theme. A more detailed programme is to be
confirmed. Visit www.yorkfoodfestival.co.uk for more information and to book your tickets.
Public contact: For full programme and tickets visit the website at www.yorkfoodfestival.com. For more
information email [email protected] or call 01904 635149.
Press contact: Michael Hjort. Tel: 01904 635149, email: [email protected].
Illuminating York: 28 - 31 October 2015
2015 sees the 11th return of Illuminating York, the annual digital arts and lighting festival which invites
visitors and residents to discover York in a new light.
Public contact: For full programme and tickets visit the website at www.illuminatingyork.org. Press
contact: Lizzie Forbes-Ritte, Purple Marketing. Tel: 0788 4438152, email: [email protected].
Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF): 5-8 November 2015
An established and dynamic player on the UK film festival circuit and BAFTA qualifying, the Aesthetica
Short Film Festival (ASFF) is a celebration of independent film from across the world, and an outlet for
championing and supporting short filmmaking. Spanning all genres including drama, documentary,
animation, comedy, music video, thriller, experimental and artists’ works, the festival showcases its films
across 15 distinct and historic locations in the city of York. Moving between medieval halls, ancient city
walls, boutique cinemas, quirky stores, lively café bars, art spaces and museums, the festival invites
visitors to create their own unique viewing experience. Alongside screenings, ASFF also presents a series
of masterclasses and workshops with leading industry figures, working with such organisations as BAFTA,
Channel 4, Warp Films, Raindance, Sheffield Doc/Fest and many more. There are also networking
opportunities and social events across the weekend.
Public contact: Call 01904 629 137 or visit the website for full programme and tickets at www.asff.co.uk
or email [email protected].
York St Nicholas Christmas Festival incorporating the St Nicholas Fair: 26 November 20 December 2015
York will launch a festive programme for 2015, placing the city as the top destination in the UK for a
Christmas break. Officially declared the Christmas Capital of the UK, come November and December few
places in Britain offer such a variety of things to see and do during the festive season. Not only are its
streets lined with exclusive shops, quality high-street stores, independent restaurants, café bars and
pubs but the city celebrates Christmas in style with a host of seasonal events, including the now
extended York St Nicholas Christmas Fair, Winter Wonderland and the Ice Factor (at the York Designer
Outlet) and special events at many of York’s world class visitor attractions, such as the National Railway
Museum, Castle Museum and York’s CHOCOLATE Story. Not forgetting entertainment at the city’s
theatres, pantomimes and Christmas carol concerts, as well as services, at York Minster.
Public contact: To request your free Christmas Guide call York Visitor Information Centre on 01904
550099 or visit the website at www.visityork.org or email [email protected]. Press contacts: Kay Hyde,
Head of PR & Corporate Communications. Tel: 01904 554451, email: [email protected]. Katie Parsons,
Senior Communications Executive. Tel: 01904 554436, email: [email protected].
York Early Music Christmas Festival: 5 - 13 December 2015
The 2015 York Early Music Christmas Festival will showcase early music ensembles from across the world
– with a sparkling programme of music for the festive season.
Public contact: Call 01904 632220 or 01904 658338 or visit the website for full programme and tickets at
www.ncem.co.uk/xmas. Press contact: Shona Galletly. Tel: 07813 796 733, email:
[email protected].
COMING UP IN 2016
York Mystery Plays at the Minster – June 2016
The 800 year-old gothic cathedral of York Minster will undergo a spectacular transformation in June 2016
to become a monumental auditorium for a much anticipated, month-long staging of the York Mystery
Plays at the Minster in 2016. The Mystery Plays will return to the Minster for the first time since the
acclaimed Millennium production in 2000 when over 28,000 people attended the sell-out performances
which had an ensemble cast of more than 200 local amateur actors and, in keeping with the tradition of
the Mystery Plays, just one professional actor. Local performers will once again be at the heart of the
Minster’s production.
Public contact: Call 01904 557200 or email: [email protected]. Visit website on
www.yorkminster.org. Press contact: Sharon Atkinson, Director of Communications at York Minster. Tel:
01904 55724. Mob: 07785 615457. Email: [email protected].
For any further information and your free guide to York, please contact: York Visitor
Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: [email protected] or visit the website at
www.visityork.org. Press contacts: Kay Hyde, Head of PR & Communications. Tel: 01904
554451, email: [email protected]. Katie Parsons, Senior Communications Executive. Tel: 01904
554436, email: [email protected]. Website: www.visityork.org.