Easter in York

With Spring in full bloom and Easter just around the corner, there’s lots of eggs-citing things to do to fill your bank holiday weekend. Keep the whole family entertained with an excellent programme of Easter events and activities during the holidays. From Easter egg hunts and chocolate festivals to browsing the best chocolate shops in search of the good stuff, there's plenty to do to enjoy an eggs-cellent family adventure in the city of York.

Back for the first time since 2019 York Chocolate Festival will be bigger than ever, celebrating York’s chocolate and confectionery heritage together with sweet delights that fill the city today. There is something sweet for everyone to enjoy, but especially chocolate lovers! From the 14th to the 18th April, including the Easter weekend, the diverse programme to the city centre includes chocolate and sweet treats on Parliament Street, a chocolate festival bar, hands on chocolate making workshops and activities and chocolate making demonstrations with some of York’s most talented chefs and chocolatiers. Every day there will be an opportunity to make your own Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies with the team at York Cocoa Works and for the adults, there will be chocolate and wine pairing events as well as chocolate and whisky matchings too.

Enjoy some family fun at some of York’s top attractions this Easter. Discover entertaining performances and live comedy, or book tickets to a must-see show. Discover York Minster this Easter with an exciting programme of free activities for children and explore six interactive stops around the cathedral to learn more about the Easter story.

Take part in Easter fun at the Bar Convent and get creative in the “Kids Crafts Corner”. Don’t miss the special storytelling session with author and composer Karen Langtree on Monday 11 April at 11am. There will be an Easter word search, puzzles and so much more. 

Grab a sightseeing pass and explore the city with the whole family, discover the places that everyone wants to visit and along with exclusive offers including evening entertainment, exploring the city with a York Pass is an excellent way of seeing all of York’s main sights and attractions.

During the holidays, hop on over to Web Adventure Park as they host an Easter eggs-travaganza. With unlimited fairground rides and huge indoor and outdoor play areas for all ages, you will also get to meet some very special guests during your visit. There’s plenty to do, including an animal petting zone, a giant sandpit, water play and two brand new bouncing pillows! Have a cracking time this Easter as you hop aboard Whistlestop Valley's Easter Eggspress and join the wonderful Wonderland characters! Meet with the Easter bunny and once you’ve completed all your activities and filled in your Eggspress passport, you can head to the shop for a delicious prize!

Burn off those Easter eggs and discover the rich history of chocolate making in York on a 90-minute guided walking tour “Sweets and Treats in the Chocolate City”. The famous names of Rowntree, Terry and Craven have shaped the history of the city and in many of its landmarks. A perfect way to celebrate Easter, join Blue Badge Tourist Guide Sarah Cowling and learn about the sweet stories of some of the world’s best-known brands. Get some fresh air in one of York’s beautiful parks and gardens, spring is the perfect time of year for a family walk and to enjoy some blossom and flower spotting! Follow the York Chocolate Trail and discover the history behind York's chocolate foundation. 

Find hidden trails and enjoy an Easter adventure at Beningbrough Hall, keep the whole family entertained on a fun filled nature trail with fantastic family friendly activities along the way. If you complete the trail you can collect your delicious chocolate egg at the end.

York is famous for its rich chocolate history and no trip to the city is complete without a visit to one of York’s chocolate shops. There is a huge selection of places to tempt your tastebuds giving you the perfect opportunity to indulge in your favourite sweet treat.

Enjoy a fun and interactive tour at York’s Chocolate Story and learn about the origin of chocolate through the history of York’s most famous chocolate making families. Learn the art of the chocolatier for yourself and how to taste it like an expert. With your newly acquired chocolate knowledge, why not treat yourself to some delicious treats from their shop which has a huge selection of fantastic chocolate to choose from. Perfect for all the family, make exquisite chocolate truffles and sample some of the finest chocolate with a chocolatier-led masterclass. 

Make your own chocolate Easter egg in the chocolate manufactory at York Cocoa Works. It’s perfect for chocolate lovers of all ages who want to learn more of the secrets to create their own delicious chocolate at home. Chocolatiers will be able to work with their preferred choice of milk, white or dark chocolate and will learn how to temper chocolate, work with chocolate egg moulds and assemble a beautiful Easter Egg masterpiece to take home.

Head up to Clifford’s Tower which is now re-open in all its glory following a £5m restoration project. Immerse yourself in centuries of history and experience stunning views over the ancient city and if you’re brave enough, treat the kids to an experience at York Dungeon and meet the famous characters of York’s dark past including Guy Fawkes, Dick Turpin and the Vikings.

Find out if spring really has sprung at Castle Howard! Together with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, this Easter join Castle Howard for a new Wildlife Detective Trail around the gardens. Get lost in the canopy of the Ray Wood trees and uncover the beautiful creatures in some of the muddier parts of the grounds as you explore Castle Howard against the backdrop of the changing seasons. You’ll be provided with a trail map and an explorer pack as you venture to different stations across the estate, each will reveal activities and clues as you discover the wandering wildlife getting ready for spring!

York is very much a chocolate lovers paradise and is home to a fabulous selection of independent chocolate shops giving you the perfect opportunity to indulge in some delicious sweet treats. 

Eye up the chocolate in York Cocoa Works, relax in their café and indulge in something sweet. Discover more beautiful chocolate at York's Chocolate Story and make sure you stop at Cocoa Joe's for delicious hot chocolate!

Make the most of your visit to York and stay for longer in the city, with a wide range of accommodation at your fingertips, from family friendly hotels to self-catering getaways, there’s plenty of choice for somewhere to stay after a fun filled day of exploring.