The Eboracum Roman Festival will return to York from 16 May to 31 May 2026, bringing an immersive look at the city’s ancient past to residents and visitors. Organised by the York Museums Trust, the 16-day event will feature activities at York Museum Gardens and various venues across the city.
The festival programme centres on a Living History Camp in the museum gardens on 23 and 24 May, running from 10am to 5pm. Entry to the gardens is free, though some specific activities will require a fee. During this weekend, families can watch live combat demonstrations and experience a range of historical crafts. Children will also have the opportunity to participate in the Kids Barbaric Battle, where they can dress as legionaries and use foam shields and weapons. Participation in these sessions costs £10 per child.
The Yorkshire Museum will host guest talks throughout the festival. On 23 May, historian Greg Jenner will present two sessions titled Totally Chaotic History: Roman Britain Gets Rowdy at 10.30am and 2.30pm. On 24 May, author Terry Deary will lead a talk at 2pm called Revolting – A Riotous History of Rebellions and Revolutions, which is intended for audiences aged 16 and over. Tickets for these talks are £7.50 per person.
This year’s event coincides with the opening of a major new exhibition at the Yorkshire Museum on 15 May, titled Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard. The display features more than 800 Iron Age objects found in 2021, marking the largest collection of its kind ever discovered in the United Kingdom.
The festival grounds are situated on the site of the original Roman fortress of Eboracum. Visitors can still see the 4th-century Multangular Tower, a structure that has stood in the gardens for nearly 1,800 years. The event is supported by a partnership that includes York Archaeology, York Minster, the University of York, the Roman Bath Museum, Uncomfortable York, City Screen, and the York Civic Trust.
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