Things to Do, Entertainment
National Centre for Early Music

















About Us
The NCEM is an accessible, flexible and intimate music venue, based in the medieval, Grade I listed, converted church of St Margaret’s which stands in the heart of the City of York in an attractive and spacious church garden. As well as promoting a spring and autumn season of high class artists from around the world we are also the home of the internationally acclaimed York Early Music Festival..
The York Early Music Festival was established in 1977 and is designed to celebrate York’s myriad medieval churches, guildhalls and historic houses through historically informed music making of the highest international standard. The Festival is the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the NCEM’s annual programme and enjoyed by visitors from across the world.
In 1997 the York Early Music Christmas Festival was created to introduce audiences to the extraordinary wealth of music associated with Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, from the Medieval to the Baroque, intertwined with the sagas, stories and tales of the north.
The NCEM is available for hire for concerts, weddings, parties, conferences and other events.
Opening Times
Monday - Friday: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Facilities
- Wheelchair access
- Disabled toilets
- Facilities for hearing impaired
- Baby changing facilities
- Children welcome
- Advance booking encouraged
- Meeting room
- Facilities for educational visits
- Groups welcome
- Bar
- Board/Flipchart
- Facilities for conferencing
- Facilities for corporate hospitality
- Grounds for outdoor activities
- Wedding receptions
Accessible Services
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Accessible Toilets
- Designated Disabled Parking
- Hearing Loop
- Audible Alarm System
- Quiet Areas Or Quiet Time Period
Location
Events at National Centre for Early Music

Damien O'Kane and Ron Block Band
The Banjovial TourPrepare to be mesmerized by the extraordinary collaboration of Damien O’Kane and Ron Block, two of th…

Gordon Giltrap and John Etheridge
After the success of their 2024 tour, guitar supremos Gordon Giltrap & John Etheridge join forces again and return …

The Divine Voyage
Directed by Julien DuvivierFrance, 1929, 95 minutes + interval.A silent film with live music by Frame EnsembleJonny Bes…

Jean Toussaint
Grammy-winning saxophonist and multi-award winning composer and bandleader Jean Toussaint returns to York with his late…

Green Matthews
Following on from A Christmas Carol: In Concert and A Brief History of Christmas, GreenMatthews present their new festi…

The Jeremiahs
The Jeremiahs is an Irish folk band of four musicians joining together with the common goal of writing, composing and p…

Arsen Petrosyan, Mehdi Rostami & Adib Rostami
Experience a captivating evening of music with this exceptional trio. Bringing together the rich musical traditions of …

Chris Wood
Reflections on minor league football, empty nest syndrome, learning to swim, Cook-in Sauce and of course, the Gecko as …

N’Faly Kouyaté
Winner of ‘Songlines Music Awards’ and ‘Talent of Guinea’ for Best Group, N’Faly Kouyaté is a multi-talented artist com…

Byron Wallen: Black Flag
Byron Wallen, composer, traveller, educator, returns to the NCEM with a very personal project – an exploration of child…

Heidi Talbot
Heidi Talbot returns to the NCEM stage with her new album – a collection of songs based around Irish Goddesses and insp…

Damien O'Kane and Ron Block Band
The Banjovial TourPrepare to be mesmerized by the extraordinary collaboration of Damien O’Kane and Ron Block, two of th…

Gordon Giltrap and John Etheridge
After the success of their 2024 tour, guitar supremos Gordon Giltrap & John Etheridge join forces again and return …

The Divine Voyage
Directed by Julien DuvivierFrance, 1929, 95 minutes + interval.A silent film with live music by Frame EnsembleJonny Bes…

Jean Toussaint
Grammy-winning saxophonist and multi-award winning composer and bandleader Jean Toussaint returns to York with his late…

Green Matthews
Following on from A Christmas Carol: In Concert and A Brief History of Christmas, GreenMatthews present their new festi…

The Jeremiahs
The Jeremiahs is an Irish folk band of four musicians joining together with the common goal of writing, composing and p…

Arsen Petrosyan, Mehdi Rostami & Adib Rostami
Experience a captivating evening of music with this exceptional trio. Bringing together the rich musical traditions of …

Chris Wood
Reflections on minor league football, empty nest syndrome, learning to swim, Cook-in Sauce and of course, the Gecko as …

N’Faly Kouyaté
Winner of ‘Songlines Music Awards’ and ‘Talent of Guinea’ for Best Group, N’Faly Kouyaté is a multi-talented artist com…

Byron Wallen: Black Flag
Byron Wallen, composer, traveller, educator, returns to the NCEM with a very personal project – an exploration of child…

Heidi Talbot
Heidi Talbot returns to the NCEM stage with her new album – a collection of songs based around Irish Goddesses and insp…

Damien O'Kane and Ron Block Band
The Banjovial TourPrepare to be mesmerized by the extraordinary collaboration of Damien O’Kane and Ron Block, two of th…

Gordon Giltrap and John Etheridge
After the success of their 2024 tour, guitar supremos Gordon Giltrap & John Etheridge join forces again and return …

The Divine Voyage
Directed by Julien DuvivierFrance, 1929, 95 minutes + interval.A silent film with live music by Frame EnsembleJonny Bes…

Jean Toussaint
Grammy-winning saxophonist and multi-award winning composer and bandleader Jean Toussaint returns to York with his late…
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