skip to
Conjured up by The Wizard Walk of York, WizardFest is York’s official Festival of Wizardry! Celebrate the best of wizardry and family fun in this enchanting city. Almost ALL paid activities sold out last year, so book early before tickets VANISH!
In collaboration with Little Vikings and supported by Make it York. Kindly sponsored by Loopy Scoops, The Cat Gallery, Primary Times Magazine, Baby Boy’s Burgers, Party Octopus and Attractions Near Me
Browse the 2026 events and map below, and plan YOUR magical visit…
Or pick up your map from Visit York, Loopy Scoops, Totally Awesome, The Society of Alchemists or The Cat Gallery
TOURS AND TRAILS
THE WIZARD WALK OF YORK
Experience of the Year 2026. Spellbinding magic, comedy and five-star family fun! Add to the magic with exclusive Wizard Wand Kits
“Funny, magical and engaging. The very BEST experience for every member of the family!” – Nicola B
- DAILY 11am, 1.30, 4pm and 6pm
Tours start at St. Crux Church on York’s Shambles, YO1 7LX. Pre-booking essential
THE BLACK CAT QUEST
NEW locations for 2026. Collect a FREE map, find the cats in shop windows and spell a magic word. Aged 5-12? Return the answer sheet and claim a super-mini magic cat of your own
PLUS guess the number of cats in the jar for a chance to WIN a Wizard Walk family ticket and a MEOWvellous Cat Gallery prize!
York Cat Gallery, 45 Low Petergate, YO7 7HT
FREE
THE MAGICAL OWL TRAIL
A Make it York event. Collect a FREE map from the Visit York Information Centre on Parliament Street, then find the owls hidden around Shambles Market. It’s a HOOT!
Hand in your completed map to Visit York for a chance to WIN a Wizard Walk family ticket
Shambles Market, YO1 7LX
FREE
WHIMSICAL WORKSHOPS
BRICK MAGIC, THE BRICK BOX
A must for LEGO fans!
Journey into the imagination, with tens of thousands of LEGO bricks. Bring your cloaks as you enrol for wand making, marble maze design and lots of treats to take home!
- DAILY 9.30, 11.30, 1.30 and 3.30pm
York Medical Society, Stonegate, YO1 8AW. Pre-booking essential
POKEMON PLAY WORKSHOPS (SOLD OUT)
SOLD OUT – but you can still pick up your FREE exclusive Wizard of York Jokémon card from Totally Awesome daily during the festival.
Totally Awesome Toys and Games, 8 Colliergate, YO1 8BP.
Enchanting Events
FANCY DRESS PARADE & ‘BEST DRESSED’ CONTEST
Monday only. Dress to impress and celebrate WizardFest in style for a chance to WIN amazing prizes including…
- £70 Steiff Dragon from Stonegate Teddy Bears
- Dragon Hatchlings from The Society of Alchemists
- LEGO unicorn and magic set from The Wizard Walk of York
- A £40 Hogwarts Quill and Inkstand from The Shop That Must Not Be Named
FREE. Meet 3pm Monday for a 3.15pm start, St. Helen’s Square, YO1 8QN
THE GIANT BUBBLE SHOW
Monday only. Ever seen a square bubble? Or been inside a giant one? 60 minutes of jaw-dropping bubble tricks with The Bubble Wizard!
Sure to be POPular (bubble pun), so book early
- MON 11am, 1.30pm and 4.30pm
Friargate Theatre, Lower Friargate, YO1 9SL. Pre-booking essential
Meet a dragon
Meet The Wizard of York’s ROARsome pet dragon and dragonkeeper Zoya. Snap a photo…don’t worry, he doesn’t bite!
- DAILY 10.45-11.30am, 12.30-1.15pm and 2-2.45pm
Outside St. Sampson’s Church, YO1 8BG. Visit Loopy Scoops opposite for the Dragon Sundae, Wizard of York Ice-Cream and more.
Also appearing at the Magical Night Market, Monday 7.30-10pm in Shambles Market.
FREE
MEET OWLS
Saturday only. The Flying Squadron are flying into York! Meet Professor Alba and her magnificent owls, learn fascinating facts and even have your picture taken next to your new feathered friends.
- SAT 10-4pm
St. Crux Church, Shambles, YO1 7LX
FREE
wicked at york city screen
Sunday only. Defy gravity this WizardFest and enjoy the untold story of the witches of Oz, in the hit film starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Eviro.
- SUN 6PM
York City Screen, 13-17 Coney Street, York, YO1 9QL
MAGICAL NIGHT MARKET
Monday only. Wand-er off York’s Shambles into Shambles Market, transformed by Make it York into the most spellbinding setting.
Peruse magical stalls from more than 30 traders. NEW FOR 2026 meet wonderful, whimsical characters – Phoenix the Red, Zoya and Ignis the Dragon, and Professor Grimbleweed
- MON 7.30-10PM
Shambles Market, 5 Silver Street, YO1 8RR
THE CURSE AT PROFESSOR KETTLESTRING'S
Cursed by archnemesis Mortius Darktrix, the Professor is trapped inside his Tubular Trickery Chamber…
Enjoy mind-boggling illusions, find wizard portraits and use their names to lift the curse. Then head to the gift shop and collect your sweet reward!
Open 10-6PM daily (last admission 5PM)
14 Merchants Place, Merchantgate, YO1 9TU. Booking recommended
WIZARD FAMILY RAVE - THOR'S
Sunday only. Throw some shapes at this magical family disco packed with FUN!
Spellbinding songs, disco lights, bubbles, and snow machine sorcery. Plus party games, pom poms and plenty of Hocus Pocus. Get your groove on!
- SUN 11-1PM, £3.50pp (ticket allows you to drop in and out as much as you wish, take a break for a Buttebeer!)
Thor’s Tipi, Parliament St, YO1 8RU. Pre-booking essential
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON SCHOOL EXHIBITION
Dragon fans aged 5-12 will DIG this interactive exhibition, inspired by Cressida Cowell’s book series!
Dig for hidden dragon treasures, see the original artwork and maps, and discover the real Viking history that inspired the books. Exhibition included with DIG entry ticket.
Open 10AM-4PM daily
DIG, St. Saviour’s Church, St. Saviourgate, YO1 8NN. Pre-booking recommended
Activity Zone
NEW FOR 2O26! Enjoy spellbinding activities on York’s Parliament Street, YO1 8RS (close to the Visit York Information Centre)
party octopus 360 video
Take the Party Octopus 360 Video Experience for a spin, for the ultimate WizardFest souvenier!
Grab your wizard props, strike a pose and capture the magic! Each family can download their official Spellcaster Video and a wand-erful portrait photo.
DAILY 10-4PM. Charge applies. Show your Wizard Walk booking (dated May 23-25th) for 25% OFF
Parliament Street, near Visit York
FACE PAINTING BY FACE PAINt YORK
Glittering face paints available daily! Park your broom and choose your fantastical face from a spellbinding selection…
- Does an Owl sound like a hoot?
- Shimmering Dragon Skin or Unicorn Sparkles?
- Or wear the colours of your chosen Wizard House!
DAILY 10-4PM. Charge applies
Parliament Street, near Visit York
WAND MAKING workshops
Craft your very own wand with The Woodland Adventure Company. Choose from the finest materials, like shimmering gold and phoenix feathers to sparkling gemstones.
For those seeking an extra touch of wonder, create a limited edition light-up wand…but hurry, these special wands are in short supply!
DAILY 10-4PM. Charge applies
Parliament Street, near Visit York
MEET PROFESSOR GRIMBLEWEED
Meet this barmy botanist and purveyor of peculiar plants. Snap a selfie with his unusual pet pot plant, and learn the magical art of Herbology. Blooming brilliant!
- Plant appearances: 10-10.45pm, 11.45-12.30, 1.30-2.15pm and 3.15-4pm*
*No 3.15pm session Monday, as joining the Fancy Dress Parade (see Enchanting Events). Also appearing at the Magical Night Market, Monday 7.30-9.30 in Shambles Market.
DAILY 10-4PM. Parliament Street, near Visit York. FREE
FANTASTICAL FOOD AND DRINK
THE WIZARD OF YORK ICE-CREAM
A BRR-illiant treat! Enchanting ice-cream on a red sherbet cone, with a whole host of magical toppings. Truly a taste of MAGIC, say ‘Freeze a jolly good Wizard’ for 10% OFF
Or try The Wizard Hot Chocolate or a Butterbrew Ice-Cream soda float! One sip and you’ll be under it’s delicious spell…
Loopy Scoops Ice-Cream Parlour, 3 Church Street, YO1 8BA
.
IGGY'S DRAGON SUNDAE
A spellbinding sundae crackling with cola candy rocks, magical swirls of sauce and an edible dragon wafer. OR mix up the sauces and toppings, and have it your way!
Meet Ignis outside St. Sampson’s Church opposite at 10.45-11.30am, 12.30-1.15 and 2-2.45pm daily.
Loopy Scoops Ice-Cream Parlour, 3 Church Street, YO1 8BA
THE BEASTLY BURGER
Try this monstrously good burger from Baby Boy’s Burgers. A Fantastic Feast that’s well worth sinking your teeth into…
A 3oz smashed patty on a green bun. Olive eyes, cheese gnashers and a pickle tongue. Enjoy a magical meal-deal with golden salted fries and a drink!
Baby Boy’s Burgers, SPARK:York, 17-21 Piccadilly, YO1 9PB
FANTASTICAL FONDUE AND MAGIC MARSHMALLOWS
Wand-er in for exquisite handmade marshmallows dipped in dreamy chocolate. Exclusive to WizardFest, popping bubbles of swirling smoke add even more wonder!
Try the new Magic Macaron too, with a crackling hazelnut centre. True culinary wizardry.
19 Shambles, YO1 7LZ
BUTTEERBEER
Enjoy a proper Butterbeer from Thor’s, a must-try for wizard fans of all ages.
Plus, a FREE pair of wizard glasses with every drink purchased. What a spectacle!
And don’t forget The Wizard Family Rave here on Sunday (see Enchanting Events)
Thor’s Tipi, Parliament St, YO1 8RU
PHOENIX FRIES, T.M.K
Get all FIRED up with Phoenix Fries from The Taylor Made Kitchen in Shambles Market! Seasoned fries topped with…
- Crispy chicken
- Crunchy flamin’ hot Doritos
- Spring onions and garlic aioli
- Fiery hot sauce and smoky cheese sauce
Serving the magic daily AND at The Magical Night Market Monday 7.30-10pm.
SPELLBINDING SHOPS
TOTALLY AWESOME TOYS AND GAMES
York’s only family-run independent toy shop! PACKED full of fun, with unique hand-selected games, toys and gifts.
- 25% OFF all magic sets – become a wizard of the magical arts yourself
- PLUS pick up your FREE exclusive Wizard of York Jokémon card!
8 Colliergate, YO1 8BP. Visit the website
THE CAT GALLERY
Great gifts for cat lovers and their feline friends since 2001, and home of the York Cat Hunt.
Wand-er over to pick up a FREE map for the exclusive Black Cat Quest during WizardFest (see more under Tours and Trails)
45 Low Petergate, YO1 7HT. Visit the website
THE SOCIETY OF ALCHEMISTS
A mysterious group specialising in unique elixirs and curiosities to enchant and inspire. Gaze upon their loyal dragon guardian Ouroboros in his Shambles’ lair…
This enchanting emporium will also be open Monday evening until 8pm. Meet The Alchemist 6-8pm before heading into the Magical Night Market in Shambles Market nearby!
18 The Shambles, YO1 7LZ. Visit the website
THE IMAGINARIUM
A magical wonderland packed full of lovingly-curated homeware and art from the most innovative makers.
Styled with the aesthetic of a Victorian curiosity shop, escape the ordinary and discover truly unique items that will brighten your life.
6 Blake Street, YO1 8QG. Visit the website
THE SHOP THAT MUST NOT BE NAMED
Go Potty for all manner of magical merchandise on York’s very own Diagon Alley!
Explore officially licensed wands, robes, plush toys and even tantalising treats like chocolate frogs, every flavour beans and bottles of Butterbeer.
30-31 The Shambles, YO1 7LX. Visit the website
WIZARD OF YORK PRINT
Created by renowned local artist Lincoln Lightfoot, order your Wizard of York print from his wondrous website
Visit the website
STONEGATE TEDDY BEARS
‘Paws’ for a moment and visit York’s most cute and cuddly shop Stonegate Teddy Bear. You can even see their iconic Big Bear transformed into a wizard himself.
Dress as a Witch or Wizard for 10% OFF (an unBEARably good offer!)
13 Stonegate, YO1 8AN. Visit the website