A giant inflatable octopus is set to perform in York, North Yorkshire, on Saturday 28 March 2026 as part of a free day of entertainment for families. The puppet will appear at King’s Staith for three separate performances to help bring more visitors to the city’s riverside area.
The York Business Improvement District is organising the event, with shows taking place at 2:00pm, 4:00pm, and 6:00pm. This event is the seventh in a series of Family Friendly Saturdays designed to give local residents an affordable way to enjoy the city centre.
The puppet, which is named Ocho, was created by Tim Davies Design and stands four metres tall. It is seven metres wide and features eight moving legs that are controlled by a puppeteer to interact with people in the crowd.
If high river levels make King’s Staith difficult to reach, the performances will move to the Eye of York near Clifford’s Tower. This backup plan ensures the event can go ahead regardless of the weather conditions on the day.
The project is designed to help local shops and restaurants that are located outside the main shopping streets. By hosting performances in the late afternoon and early evening, organisers hope to encourage families to stay in the city longer and support the local economy.
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