Key Annual Events
Key Annual Events in York for 2012
JORVIK Viking Festival: 11th- 19th February 2012
A magnificent Viking wedding re-enactment and musical celebration in the stunning setting of York Minster; authentic combat displays and performances; Viking feasting, renowned children's authors and award winning musicians; ancient tales and traditional crafts - the 27th annual JORVIK Viking Festival has it all. Fantastic new additions this year include a black-tie banquet with popular TV historian Dr Alice Roberts, Viking themed puppet shows and a screening of the latest Nordic chiller ‘Troll Hunter', alongside old favourites have a go sword fighting, tenth century traders and the return of the Amazing strong man competition.
Offering an explosive programme of events for all ages in celebration of York's Viking heritage. Visitors to JORVIK Viking Festival in February 2012 can join in the action as hundreds of Vikings from all over the world descend on the city for the week-long programme of events which will culminate with Vikings fighting in ferocious and bloody battle before a fabulous Festival of Fire climax featuring fire jugglers, fiery manifestations of Norse mythology and a sensational firework display. For more information, call 01904 615505 or visit www.jorvik-viking-centre.com . Press Contact: Karen Nixon, Tel: 01904 610077 or email Karen@partners-group.co.uk
York Open Studios: 23, 24, 25 March & 31 March & 1 April 2012
2012 will see the eleventh York Open Studios, the event will be held over two weekends, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 30th, 31st March and 1st. April. Artists and makers open their doors to all! Discover what goes on behind closed doors when York Open Studios sees over 60 professional artists opening up their homes, studios and exhibitions to the public and invites them in to take a look around. Featuring York based, internationally renowned artists and maker's the public can tour around the studios, view (and buy!) a range of art work in different media, chat to the artists in informal surroundings and sometimes even watch the artist at work. Public and Press Contact: Ruth King, 01904 470196, Email: info@yorkopenstudios.co.uk or visit: www.yorkopenstudios.co.uk
York Literature Festival 2012 - Thursday 29th March - Sunday 1st April 2012
The festival returns for its fifth outing and includes author events, storytelling, theatre, cinema and loads more. Performers include Tony Benn and Roy Bailey with their show ‘The Writing On The Wall'. The bard of Barnsley Ian McMillan will perform alongside his son, Andrew, at City Screen. Local Dickens expert John Bowen provides an insight into the life and work of the great novelist, and young children can enjoy storytelling with York's Telltale Tent. Also appearing are an array of Yorkshire Poets including: Antony Dunn, Carole Bromley, Abi Curtis, Oz Hardwick and Anneliese Emmans Dean. Helen Cadbury hosts an evening of short stories and Pennine Poets hold forth at the Black Swan. There's even a guided tour of York's sites of literary merit! Something for everybody! Find out more at: www.yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk
NEW York Chocolate Festival - 6th- 9th April 2012
York will be hosting its first ever Chocolate Festival from Friday 6th to Monday 9th April 2012. The 4 day festival will celebrate the many chocolate products that have been created in the city such as Chocolate Orange, Smarties, Aero, and Kit Kat; it will focus on local artisan chocolate makers and skilled chocolatiers that fill York's restaurants, shops and hotels with the most delectable cakes, pastries, chocolates and desserts. A ‘Chocolate Market' will showcase the fine quality creations from local chocolate makers, whilst venues and attractions throughout the city will tell their own story of their role in York's Chocolate story, there will be chocolate tastings, workshops and specialist insights into the history, technology, product development and industry that is still strong in the city today. 2012 will mark the 150th anniversary of Rowntree.
Public contact: For details about event bookings please visit www.yorkchocolatefestival.co.uk or contact 01904 898393 Press contact: Sophie Jewett, Tel: 01904 898393 / 07810 486 565, Email: littleprettything@googlemail.com
NEW York Science and Innovation Grand Tour 2012- May, June and July 2012
Celebrating and promoting York's global contribution to science and innovation up to 100 large-scale stunning, educational and compelling images will be exhibited in the open air around the city. This visually stunning celebration and promotion of the City of York's phenomenal achievements in science and innovation will be on display in May, June and July 2012. Up to 100 large-scale, science and innovation themed images and messages are to be displayed in outdoor prime locations around the city highlighting York as a leading international centre for science and innovation. Visitors will see what some of the city's amazing people, businesses and organisations involved in science, technology and innovation have brought to the city. This compelling blaze of artistic colour will lure visitors towards some amazing stories. Press contact: Professor Tony Robards AnthonyRobards@york.ac.uk. Telephone 01904 435105/07912 717458 http://yorkgrandtour.co.uk/home1.html
Horse Racing: May - October Every Year
York Racecourse, known as the Knavesmire, has been a favourite amongst racegoers since it was founded in 1731. In 2012, 17 meetings combine top class horseracing with world-class facilities to make it a sporting and social occasion for all to enjoy. Even if your horse fails to come up with the goods, it's a fabulous day out in a beautiful location, a chance to dress up, and jolly good fun into the bargain. For more information visit www.yorkracecourse.co.uk
York Early Music Festival: 6th- 14th July 2012
The 2012 York Early Music Festival will look at connections inspired by the Olympic ideals of excellence and aspiration - celebrating musical achievements across continents. Influenced primarily by European culture, the Festival will also take inspiration from the musical influences brought by the missionaries who travelled to South America with a thoughtful glance at the music and culture of China.
Guest artists planned include The Sixteen, Jordi Savall, John Potter and Gallicantus. Highlights will include the UK based instrumentalists Florilegium joining forces with the Arakaendar Bolivia Choir to perform music created when 17th century Jesuit missionaries to Bolivia encouraged the resident people to celebrate the Catholic liturgy through their own music, instruments and culture - blending and twisting European and South American musical styles into a distinctive and unique sound and Alessandro Striggio's MASS IN 40 PARTS (1566) presented by I Fagiolini and the University of York Chamber Choir directed by Robert Hollingworth. Staged in the round in the glorious surroundings of York Minster, audiences will promenade between groups of musicians to gain different aural perspectives. Please contact Tel: 01904 632220, Box Office: 01904 658338. Press Contact: Gill Baldwin, Tel: 01904 632220, email: gill.baldwin@ncem.co.uk
NEW Yorkshire Medieval Festival- 4th - 12th August 2012
New in 2012, York Archaeological Trust will be joining forces with a host of businesses in York and throughout the region to bring visitors the very first Yorkshire Medieval Festival. Combining falconry, archery, thrilling re-enactments, activities for children, dramatic performances and guided visits to a host of stunning medieval sites in gorgeous settings; the Yorkshire Medieval Festival promises to be a brilliant new addition to York and Yorkshire's calendar. Visit www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk for more information and the latest updates.
NEW Mystery Plays 2012: 2nd-27th August
A spectacular production of York Mystery Plays in the Museum Gardens during summer 2012 - the biggest and most elaborate outdoor theatre production ever to have taken place in York.
The vision is to create a bold, exhilarating piece of story-telling theatre on an operatic scale and to re-invigorate the tradition and the language and make these plays accessible to a modern audience. To stage the biblical stories in a way that resonates with both past and present and appeals to those of religious faith or none. A small number of high-profile actors will make a professional contribution to a large cast of community performers of all ages and backgrounds drawn from York - The People's Mystery Plays. The aim is to bring an extraordinary and passionate performance out of York's community (an estimated 1,000 residents will be involved), resourced with the highest aesthetic and production values, to remind people that the ownership of this tradition rests with the people of York. The production will be the centerpiece of a colourful daytime Community Festival of related events and free performances of ‘wagon' and other plays in public spaces around the city.
Press Contact: Abbigail@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
The Largest UK Festival of Food and Drink: 21st-30th September 2012
York was voted as the UK's top Gastro destination by the world's largest online travel review site Trip Advisor (Oct 2011) and fifth top gatro destination in Europe. The annual York Food and Drink Festival is Yorkshire's great food event, a massive showcase for Yorkshire growers and retailers. For ten days food simply takes over as York hosts an extravaganza of specialist markets, chef demonstrations, themed dinners, tutored Slow Food tastings, cookery classes, restaurant meal deals and any number of special events. With fun, education and Yorkshire produce as key ingredients, visitors will love learning more about Yorkshire food.
Public Contact: email: admin@yorkfoodfestival.com Press Contacts: Michael Hjort or Debbie Waite, Tel: 01904 635149, email: admin@yorkfoodfestival.com, website: www.yorkfoodfestival.com
Illuminating York: 24th- 27th October 2012
October sees the return of Illuminating York, the annual digital arts and lighting festival which invites visitors and residents to discover York in a new light. As well as a major lighting installation, there is an extensive program of supporting events offering visitors the opportunity to visit other famous sites lit up at night, as many of York's iconic visitor attractions open their doors after hours and invite visitors to a series of special performances, installations and exhibitions guaranteed to delight.
Public contact: For further information visit www.illuminatingyork.org Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451 or email kh@visityork.org
A York Christmas: November - December 2012
Officially declared the Christmas Capital of the UK, come November/December few places in Britain seem to exude a Christmassy atmosphere in the way York does. Not only are its streets lined with exclusive shops, quality high-street stores, great restaurants, café bars, pubs and attractions but the city celebrates Christmas in style with a range of seasonal events, markets and festivities. Key events in the York Christmas Calendar include: the St Nicholas Fayre, The Family Home at Christmas - Castle Howard, Carols at Kirkgate, Early Music Christmas Festival, Festival of Angels, Barley Hall's Christmas Fayre, and pantomimes at York Theatre Royal and the Grand Opera House.
Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451 or email kh@visityork.org
Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) 8-11 November 2012
The Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) in 2011 was the first event of its kind in York. ASFF is a four day city-wide festival celebrating independent film from across the world. Taking place in diverse locations across the city, the Festival will open up York's iconic, public and hidden spaces and places to residents and visitors alike. ASFF will screen over 150 films, from more than 35 different countries, bringing new and innovative cinema to York. The full programme will include a series of master classes and workshops which support and champion short filmmaking - complimenting the region's drive towards innovation in media and the creative arts. www.asff.co.uk
St Nicholas Fayre Christmas Market: 29 November- 2nd December 2012
The run-up to Christmas finds York in truly festive spirit with the St Nicholas Fayre. This is when the city becomes a sparkling, enticing concoction of decorations, lights, Christmas trees and street stalls, all helping to create the kind of cheerful, authentic Christmas atmosphere you thought had gone for ever. St Nicholas Fayre is one of the most popular Christmas markets in the UK, with thousands of visitors coming to York over the four-day event. The Fayre offers a range of markets specialising in gifts, crafts, and the very best in local farm produce. The city comes alive with bustling stalls, carol singers, and buskers, just at the right time to get you in the spirit of Christmas.
Public Contact: Tel: 01904 554430. Press Contact: Kay Hyde, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org
York Early Music Christmas Festival: 29th November - 8th December 2012
Organised by the National Centre for Early Music, York's Early Music Christmas Festival takes place in a wide variety of uniquely attractive venues including the Chapter House of York Minster, St Michael le Belfrey Church and the National Centre for Early Music.
Public Contact: Tel: 01904 632220; Box Office 01904 658338. Press Contact: Gill Baldwin, Tel: 01904 632220, email: gill.baldwin@ncem.co.uk
For any further information and your free guide to York, please contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.org or visit the website at www.visityork.org . For any further information, please contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, Fax: 01904 554460, e-mail: kh@visityork.org , websites: www.visityork.org
