-
York is celebrating in a big way in 2012. It is 800 years since the city was granted a Royal Charter by King John in 1212, allowing York to take charge of its own affairs by electing a council, creating the post of mayor, and giving a voice to its people. The city wants to get its residents, businesses and visitors involved in the year-long celebration, to understand the city’s unique past, create a sense of belonging in the city of today, and making a step change for the future.
In celebration of the anniversary, there is a special programme of events running from January to December 2012 under the name York 800.
You can download the initial programme: York 800 PDF Download
This initial programme shows the key events during the year (details correct at January 2012), designed to appeal to – just about everybody!! The programme will grow and grow, so keep visiting the website to stay right up to date. If you would like to add an event to the programme, email york800@york.gov.uk
February 2012
February-September - The Eight Mysteries of York Minster
Over these eight months celebrate eight centuries of mystery at the Minster through talks, tours, trails and activities
21 February - Pancake Race Day: Parliament Street
Organised by City Centre Churches. Download an entry form here
March 2012
3 March - Children's Book Awards Launch
3 - 10 March - York International Women's Week
York Women are putting on 78 events inspired by York800. for more details: www.yorkwomen.org.uk
12 - 18 March - Climate Week 2012
For details of events in york: www.york.gov.uk/environment/sustainability/climatechange/climateweek/
March - York Stories launch
A chance for residents to record their stories about their home city for posterity
28 March - Y12 Inspiring Yorkshire, The York Barbican
Welcome to Yorkshire Tourism Conference: Further details from Tel: 0113 3223500 or email:T12@yorkshire.com
April 2012
April - Opening of Chocolate - York's Sweet Story
For more details: www.yorkssweetstory.com
1 April-31 August – Views of York: Portait of a City – 1610 to the Present Day
An exhibition at Fairfax House of paintings, drawings, photographs, watercolours and prints of the city
5 April - Distribution of Royal Maundy Money
Her Majesty the Queen will be visiting York Minster to distribute the Royal Maundy Money. For more details: www.yorkminster.org
6-9 April - York Chocolate Festival
Celebrating our traditions with York’s first Chocolate Festival.
7 April - 1212: The Making of the City
Opening of the new medieval gallery at the Yorkshire Museum
11-12 April - York Theatre Royal Youth Theatre present Missing Mysteries
Performances of some of the Mystery Plays not included in the summer production, in six York churches over two days.
23 April - 2 July - 800 Years of York
An online course exploring the history of York over 800 years. For more information, click here
28 April - Yorkshire Air Museum, The Baedeker Raids
70th anniversary lecture by Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork and a guest speaker
May 2012
2 May - Ebor Lecture delivered by Will Hutton: York Minster
6 May - York 800 Youth Football Gala
Organised by Hamilton Panthers on the Knavesmire
12-16 May - York 800 Adult Learners Week
Learn about your heritage and skill up for your future
16 - 19 May - That's Entertainment! A Celebration of musical theatre
An evening of musical theatre including 'Phantom of the Opera' and 'Les Miserables', presented by York Musical Theatre Company, which celebrates it's 110th anniversary
24 May - Mayor Making as part of the Annual Council Meeting
25 May - 5 June - The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare
Presented by York Shakespeare Project in Rowntree Park
May-September - York Science and Innovation Grand Tour 2012
Showcasing York’s innovative past, present and future around the city
June 2012
2-10 June - Railfest, National Railway Museum
Get fired up at Britains biggest rail celebration
2-3 June - Buskival
The streets of York will become alive with entertainment as buskers from far and wide perform for your delight. From the weird and wonderful, York has them all and the streets will be packed with performers over the 2nd and 3rd of June to celebrate our first Buskival, to commemorate York 800
2-3 June - Celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee
Watch out for special events at York's Explore Centres. Why not think about organising your own street party? For a guide on organising a street party, download this guide
15-17 June - 'Spirit of Adventure' flower festival. Merchant Adventurers Hall, 10am-4pm
Celebrating the York Guilds, present and past, the wonderful setting of the medieval Merchant Adventurers Hall will be the backdrop to a stunning display of summer flower art.
The festival is being staged by the York based international flower arranger Janet Hayton, who organised the acclaimed flower festival at Westminster Abbey in 2010. The Acomb Flower Guild is undertaking most of the floral work, assisted by a number of guest arrangers including York's other well known international arranger, George Smith MBE. Entry £8. Light refreshments will be available.
16-30 June - Festival of Ideas and Innovation
This year’s theme ‘Metamorphosis and Transformation’ at venues across the city
16 June - York Carnival: Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square
19 June - Olympic Torch Relay and Knavesmire Concert
A wide range of sports demonstrations that you can take part in. Knavesmire Concert: 16.00-19.30
19 June - 9 September - Sports participation activity across the city (until the Paralympics)
Creating our Olympic legacy with voluntary sports clubs across the city.
30 June - Heworth 800 Golf Open Tournament
100 years of golf at this wonderful course will be marked in a York 800 tournament.
30 June - 1 July - Brassed On: Museum Gardens
York 800 Brass Band competition. Saturday 30 June, 10am-1pm and Sunday 1st July, 12 noon-5pm. Featuring the Shepherd Group Brass Bands (Sat) and the York Railway Institue Brass Bands (Sun)
July
2 July - Script Factor All Winners Final: York Theatre Royal
The winners of each heat of Script Yorkshire's York Branch Script Factor events pitted against each other for the final, to win the Script Factor Champions Trophy. The theme will be York 800
3 July - 2 September - The Glory of York: Blue Tree Gallery
Works by Colin Carruthers on the rivers and gardens of York; Richard Burel on York city life; Giuliana Lazzerini on the architecture of the city; Graham K Cook on the 'Doors' of York.
6-14 July - Early Music Festival
Reflecting the Olympic ideals of excellence and aspiration with music from the Renaissance
800 minutes of live music in Parliament St
7-22 July - Festival of the Rivers
Annual celebration of the Rivers Ouse and Foss, featuring a flotilla of boats on the River Ouse
7-8 July - Meet the King: Cliffords Tower 11am-5pm
King John returns to the centre of York Castle for one weekend only. Come and see the King on his throne and in full regalia
9 July - Charter Day
800 years to the day since York was granted its City Charter by King John. Evening: Climax of Ebor Vox at the Eye of York, featuring York choirs singing across the city. Unveiling of York800 schools tapestry
14 July - One Voice York: Tower Gardens, Skeldergate bridge - 2-4pm
Performance by the One Voice Gospel Choir - members from churches all across York
14 July - Guided Tour of Minster Close
Explore the historical significance of this part of the city. Organised by the Yorkshire Architectural and York Achaeological Society (YAYAS). Meet outside the West door of the Minster at 10.30am (approx 90 mins). Free.
21 July - 2 September - Time Travellers Go Royal: Cliffords Tower 11am-5pm
Become King for a day - children can dress up as medieval nobles
July - Youth Charter
The young people of York will create and present a new Charter for the city
Late July - A City Making History: 800 years of York's Archives, York Explore
The best archives outside London open their doors to the public whose histories they hold - part of York's Medieval Summer
Late July - End September - Big City Read
Featuring a specially commissioned medieval murder mystery novel set in the Minster, by Susanna Gregory
End July - Archaeological dig, Mansion House
For at least the last 700 years the Guildhall and Mansion House have been the seat of local democracy in York. The six week archaeological excavation led by York Archaelogical Trust will hope to unlock the secrets that lie hidden.
August 2012
2-27 August - York Cycle of Mystery Plays
The magnificent Mystery Plays return to their outdoor setting in the Museum Gardens for the first time since the 1980s
4-12 August - Medieval Festival
A celebration of York’s medieval history
5 August - Jane Tomlinson 10k and kids’ 2k run
This year the races will be themed York 800
September 2012
8 September - Traditional Dance Festival
Morris Dancers from all over England, including teams form York, perform at various locations in the city centre, with a grand finale at St Sampson's Square
21 - 30 September - Festival of Food and Drink
Ten days of Markets, events and activities with a York 800 'foodie' theme
October 2012
October - Launch of Stories in Glass and Stone
New interactive galleries in the Minster allowing visitors to reflect on the scale and craftsmanship of the Great East Window
October - Local Democracy Week
Events in and arounf the Guildhall
1-5 October - 50+ Games
Fun and games for the over 50s at sports clubs across the city
24-27 October - Illuminating York
York transformed into a wonderland
November 2012
1 - 4 November - Aesthetica Short Film Festival
A celebration of short films from around the world, presented in unique venues across the city
Inter-Faith Festival
A celebration of the different traditions, beliefs and values represented across the city
12-16 November - York Business Week
29 November – 2 December – St Nicholas Fayre
December 2012
Early December - A York Christmas/Festival of Angels
December - Community New Year’s Eve
