Ticket only events: Tickets available from the Cemetery office, telephone 01904 610578 or email admin@yorkcemetery.org.uk
They cost £5.00 per person including tea/coffee & biscuit, and must be paid for at least one week prior to the event. Tickets are non-refundable. To pay by BACS, please contact the Cemetery office.
Non-Ticket events: Just turn up – no need to book.
If no price stated, we suggest a donation of £5.00 or, for Friends of York Cemetery and children, £2. Includes drinks and biscuits.
Meeting Place: Harriet Centre, unless otherwise stated. Please arrive 15 mins before the state start time to collect the audio equipment.
Duration: 1½-2 hours & finish with tea/coffee & biscuits in the Harriet Centre. Occasionally it is necessary to relocate our meeting place to the Pritchett Chapel : All changes to walks will be posted on our Social Media FB page, and or on the Cemetery Notice Board.
Please note: our guided walks are outside events and attendees are asked to dress accordingly: some of the paths are grassed and a little uneven so we recommend you wear suitable footwear. Please do not leave the designated footpaths, or climb, sit, or lean on any of the memorials. Please contact the Friends should you require any information on the suitability of events for children.
A note on accessibility: York Cemetery is not a fully accessible site. Tour routes may include steps, and muddy or uneven paths. If you would like further information on accessibility attending, please contact Clive Dawson on yorkcemeteryvolunteers@gmail.com.
Please note: Only assistance dogs are permitted in the cemetery.
York Residents Festival Open Day, Sunday, 1 February 2026, 10am-2pm
Guided Walks at 10:30am, 11:30am, and 12:30pm; Catacomb tours from 10am at 45-minute intervals; self guided walks; family history grave searches; free refreshments
Saturday 8 March 2026, 2pm, International Women’s Day
Visit women in the cemetery who made a difference. Led by women volunteers.
Sunday 15 March 2026 2-4pm, Concert in the Chapel
With Toni Bunnell and Andy Tagger. An afternoon’s entertainment with two singer-songwriters of the folk music scene. Songs accompanied on guitar, bouzouki, and hurdy-gurdy. £10 per person including refreshments. Pay on the door; cards accepted. All proceeds to Friends of York Cemetery.
Sunday 5 April 2026, 10am – 12 noon, Family Easter Egg Hunt
Free event. All ages welcome: come and explore. Refreshments provided.
Sunday 26 April 2026, 10:30am-12:30pm, Chapel, York City Nature Challenge
The largest community science event in the world. Take photos of wild plants, animals, and insects, and share them with York CNC.
Saturday 9 May 2026, 6am, Chapel, Dawn Chorus
A walk in the cemetery listening and identifying bird songs and calls. With David Waudby. £10 per person including a bacon butty. **TICKETS ONLY**
Sunday 17 May 2026, 2pm, York Dead Good Festival – Poetry in the Cemetery
Poetry readings by Clive Dawson, or bring your own to read.
Sunday 31 May 2026, 1pm, Chapel, Thomas Wilkinson Service with York Royal Marines Association and Royal British Legion
The parade will march from the Chapel to Thomas’ grave on Lime Avenue for a short service. All welcome.
Saturday 6 June 2026, 10am-3pm, Chapel and Harriet Centre, Craft & Plant Fair
Sunday 7 June 2026, 2pm, Chapel, Trees in York Cemetery
Led by Clive Dawson.
Saturday 13 June, 11am and 1pm, Living History Walk
Two performances based on lives of people buried in the cemetery, by Fulford School Drama Club
Sunday 14 June 2026, 2pm, Geology Walk TBC
An interesting and informative geological walk around the cemetery. Discover the multitude of rock types that make up the headstones of a cemetery.
Sunday 5 July 2026, 2pm, Wild Plants in the Cemetery
With Guy Wallbanks
Sunday 12 July 2026, 2pm, Discovering Butterflies, TBC
Study butterflies in the cemetery’s beautiful, natural environment. With possible sightings of purple and white hairstreaks. With Nick Hall. **TICKETS ONLY**
Sunday 19 July 2026, 2pm, Lord Mayors in the Cemetery Walk
With David Poole
Wednesday 22 July 2026, 8:30pm, Bat Night no. 1
Meet in the Harriet Centre for a presentation then enjoy the guided walk observing and listening to bats. With Claire Storey. Bring a torch! **TICKETS ONLY**
Sunday 26 July 2026, 2pm Cemetery Sports People
Cemetery sports people even represented England, and we visit the first Captain of Yorkshire cricket. With Jenifer Hawkins.
Friday 14 August 2026, 7pm, ‘We were too young to die’
With Dennis Shaw. £5 per person **TICKETS ONLY** NEW
Wednesday 26 August 2026, 8:30pm, Bat Night no. 2
Meet in the Harriet Centre for a presentation then enjoy the guided walk observing and listening to bats. With Claire Storey. Bring a torch! **TICKETS ONLY**
Sunday 13 September 2026, 10am-3pm, Heritage Open Day
Visit the Pritchett Chapel & Catacombs with Cemetery history tours.
Sunday 4 October 2026, 2pm, Some 19th-century Military Heroes
Visit the graves and hear their stories. With Dennis Shaw.
Saturday 7 November 2026, 12:30pm, The Royal British Legion Parade
The Royal British Legion will march to the Cross of Sacrifice for the wreath-laying ceremony and service. Refreshments will be served in the Harriet Centre. All welcome.
Friday 11 December 2026, 7:30pm (gates open at 7pm), Annual Carol Concert
In the beautiful grade 2* listed cemetery chapel: drama, traditional carols and readings, a musical performance by the Barbarellas, homemade mince pies and fruit punch. A wonderful evening to get you into the Christmas spirit! Free admission **BY TICKET ONLY**