The international tour of a new Viking-themed show will make its final stop in York on Saturday 2 March, for a unique performance of poetry, combat, sound and light in a specially-erected marquee in Museum Gardens.  Follow The Vikings will see an international cast joined by local dance groups to create a spectacular dramatic show that tells the story of the Norse travellers, and the influence they had on the world.

Everyone who likes to be beside the sea will be full of glee when Whitby’s new seaside spectacular, the Fish & Ships Festival launches on 18 -19 May. 

York’s Christmas market is officially the best in the UK.  Organised by the National Association of British Market Authorities, the foremost authority on markets in the UK and sponsored by KPR Midlink, The Great British Market Awards celebrate excellence in retail and wholesale markets right across the UK.  York St Nicholas Fair scooped the title of ‘Best Large Speciality Market’ at this national awards ceremony, held at Birmingham’s Council House, Thursday 31 January. 

Castle Howard’s Proms Spectacular is the biggest al fresco Proms concert in the North of England and tickets are now on sale!

Plans for the biggest outdoor Ice Trail in the UK, the York Ice Trail, were revealed today by Visit York.  Now in its fourth year, 35,000 people visited the trail in 2017, demonstrating its popularity with both residents and visitors alike.  Fire and Ice are promised at this year’s event, sponsored by the York BID and organised by Make It York, when it returns to the city Saturday 2 February, ahead of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

The full line-up of speakers for the Visit York annual tourism conference has been revealed today. VYCON 2019 will be held on Thursday 24 January at York Racecourse where 300 delegates from across the tourism sector in York, Yorkshire and beyond, are expected to attend. The theme for the conference is ‘Only in York’, York’s tourism marketing campaign for 2019, which will showcase all of the experiences which are truly unique to the city.

Visit the 18^th century chapel and priest hole at the Bar Convent, explore captivating drawings of York in the city archives, spy the original masons’ marks inside the 500-year old Postern Tower, try on costumes at Friargate Theatre or tour York’s oldest surviving windmill.  This is just a taste of the attractions and behind the scenes tours on offer at the 24^th York Residents Festival.  Residents will once again have the chance to explore what’s on their doorstep free of charge with a valid YorkCard or student card, when this annual event, sponsored by Grand Central, arrives on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 January.  During the festival the city’s visitor attractions open up their doors free of charge so residents can turn tourist for the weekend.

A new campaign to increase visitors to the North York Moors will get underway this week as part of a new partnership with Visit York and the National Park Authority.

Today the body responsible for promoting York across the globe has appointed Sean Bullick, former head of Newcastle NE1 Ltd, as its new Managing Director.  Make It York was set up four years ago to promote York as a brilliant place to live, visit, study, work and do business.