What's on in Yorkshire this week...

Featured Picks…

York Unlocked 2025

York – 27–28 September – Free
Dozens of York’s most intriguing buildings throw open their doors for a weekend of discovery. From medieval towers to art deco dining rooms and hidden archives, this volunteer-led festival offers drop-in access and guided tours across the city. With free ticketed tours, a live stream, and special events marking 50 years of the National Railway Museum, it's a rare chance to see York from the inside out.
https://whatsoninyorkshire.co.uk/event/york-unlocked

World Jam Festival

Ripon – 28 September
A celebration of global preserves at Newby Hall & Gardens, featuring quirky competition categories like Tipsy Jam, Fruit Curd, and Mad Hatter’s Favourite. Judged by Michelin-starred chef Andrew Pern, the festival also includes live music, cider tasting, apple throwing, and prizes for the best hat. Jam entries come with free garden access, making it a flavourful day out in North Yorkshire.
https://whatsoninyorkshire.co.uk/event/world-jam-festival

NYMR Annual Steam Gala

Pickering – 25–28 September
One of the UK's top steam events returns with a packed four-day programme across the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Ride behind guest and home fleet engines, enjoy hop-on hop-off travel, live music, a beer festival, and activities from steam crane demos to model railways. Featuring iconic locos like No. 34072 257 Squadron, it’s a must for railway enthusiasts and families alike.
https://whatsoninyorkshire.co.uk/event/nymr-annual-steam-gala

Holmfirth Children’s Book Festival

Holmfirth – 27–28 September
A new two-day festival designed to inspire young book lovers through author events, readings, and workshops. Highlights include Gruffalo meet-and-greets, sessions with Matt Goodfellow, Suzy Senior, and Chris Mould, and family-friendly fun across The Civic and Read. Bookshop. Organised by local volunteers, the festival champions creativity and a lifelong love of stories.
https://whatsoninyorkshire.co.uk/event/holmfirth-childrens-book-festival

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Yorkshire in the News

No crime, no politics, just the good stuff.

• York tops the UK’s Good Growth Index – A new report highlights how cities are judged less on finance and more on the feel of daily life. With its thriving high street, heritage, housing and skills, York claimed the number one spot, beating Edinburgh and Bristol to be named the UK’s best-performing city for future-focused growth. Read more

• Harrogate in full bloom – The Autumn Flower Show at Newby Hall dazzled visitors with over 5,000 spectacular autumn blooms, floral displays and competitions, cementing its place as one of the region’s brightest horticultural highlights. See the photos

• Pink tractors on parade – A convoy of 73 farm vehicles – led by a bright pink tractor – rolled through North Yorkshire in a 44-mile charity run. Organiser Jody Marton, who was recently given the all-clear from breast cancer, raised over £8,000 for Breast Cancer Now. Read the story

• Yorkshire home with a woodland twist – A six-bedroom property on the edge of Haxby has hit the market for £1.5 million, offering a self-contained apartment, conservatory, and its very own private woodland set across three acres. Take a look inside

Coming Soon…

Follow us on Instagram @whatsoninyorkshire for sneak peeks of what’s to come…

What’s on across Yorkshire this Week

West Yorkshire

• Keighley Walking Festival – Over 50 guided walks take over the town, from scenic strolls to heritage trails and night-time bat walks, all encouraging wellbeing and connection to nature – Keighley, 13–27 September – Free

• World Curry Festival – Street food markets, cookalongs, curry-themed theatre and city-wide dining during this flavour-packed cultural celebration – Bradford, 15–29 September – Free & Paid

• Holmfirth Oktoberfest – Traditional German beers, bratwurst, brass bands and plenty of Bavarian-style revelry return to The Civic – Holmfirth, 20 & 27 September – Paid

• Turner Prize Exhibition – Major works by the 2024 Turner Prize nominees on display as part of Bradford's City of Culture programme – Bradford, from 27 September – Free

• Vintage Home Show Leeds – Mid-century and retro interiors from over 50 specialist dealers at Pudsey Civic Hall – Leeds, 28 September – Paid

• Brontë Women’s Writing Festival – A weekend of talks, workshops and creative sessions exploring the legacy of women in literature – Haworth, 28–29 September – Paid

• Wandering Imaginations – Pop-up installations, performances and soundscapes inspired by the Brontë landscape – Haworth, until 29 September – Free

North Yorkshire

• Mindful Month – North York Moors – A month of wellness events including yoga, creative workshops and guided walks across the National Park – Various locations, all September – Paid

• York Food Festival – Tasting trails, cooking demos and market stalls celebrating local food and drink – York, 20–29 September – Free & Paid

• Ghosts in the Garden – A family-friendly haunted trail through the Museum Gardens with spooky stories and characters – York, 21–29 September – Paid

• Richmond Walking and Book Festival – Daily guided walks paired with talks by bestselling and emerging authors – Richmond, 20–29 September – Paid

• Trackrod Rally Yorkshire – High-octane rally action across forest tracks and coastal roads, finishing at Filey seafront – North Yorkshire, 27–28 September – Paid

• Dubs in’t Dales – Classic VW camper weekend with trade stalls, fancy dress, live music and retro fun – Bedale, 27–29 September – Paid

• Apple Day at Newby Gardens – Apple pressing, cider tasting, and the return of the Apple Throwing Championships – Ripon, 28 September – Paid

South Yorkshire

• Spirit of Independence Film Festival – Three days of indie cinema, Q&As and emerging talent at the historic Showroom – Sheffield, 27–29 September – Paid

• Float Along Festival – An indie music takeover with over 100 acts across Sheffield’s best venues – Sheffield, 29 September – Paid

• Sheffield 10K Race – A major city run through iconic streets and green spaces, open to all abilities – Sheffield, 29 September – Paid

East Riding

• Festival of Words – East Riding Libraries – Author talks, family activities and workshops in Goole, Beverley and beyond – Various towns, 14–28 September – Free & Paid

• Hull Classic Car Day – Vintage vehicles roll into the city centre for a family day of motoring nostalgia – Hull, 29 September – Free

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