Download the York800 programme:  York 800 PDF Download

Download the 1212 York Charter Resource Pack

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.

This programme shows the key events during the year (details correct at May 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

April 2012

April - September - The Eight Wonders of York Minster

Over these eight months the Minster will celebrate eight centuries of wonders, through talks, tours, trails and activities. For more details: www.yorkminster.org

April - December - Europolis: York St John University Fountains Learning Centre

Drop in to see this art installation linked to '1212: The Making of the City'

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. For more details: www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk

23 April - 2 July - 800 Years of York

An online course exploring the history of York over 800 years. For more information, click here 

May 2012

12-16 May - York 800 Adult Learners Week

Learn about your heritage and skill up for your future. For more details: www.york.gov.uk

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.       For more details: www.yorkmusicalthetarecompany.org.uk

20 May - Launch of Big City Read Programme: York Explore.  

 Event taster sessions and early bird ticket sale. For more details: www.york.gov.uk/libraries

 24 May - Mayor Making as part of the Annual Council Meeting.  For more details: www.york.gov.uk

25 May - 5 June - The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare

 Presented by York Shakespeare Project in Rowntree Park. For more details: www.yorkshakespeareproject.org

30 May - September - York Science and Innovation Grand Tour 2012

Showcasing York’s innovative past, present and future around the city. For more details: www.yorkgrandtour.co.uk

June 2012

2-10 June - Railfest, National Railway Museum

Get fired up at Britains biggest rail celebration. For more details: www.nrm.org.uk

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. For more details: www.york.gov.uk

3 -June - The Big York Quiz at  The Royal Oak,  Goodramgate 7:30pm.

Come to the historic York pub for a fun 50 question quiz run alongside 3 bonus rounds, all based on or around York's past and present. The quiz will be nicely complemented with local beers and a free Yorkshire pudding and gravy supper. The quiz is free to enter with plenty of liquid prizes. Everyone is welcome.

2-5 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

4 June - The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular: Knavesmire

Wonderful memories of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. For more details: www.ratpack.biz

10 June - The Lord Mayors of York: The Mansion House

A talk exploring the history of the Lord Mayors of York, examining their impact on the city at 2pm. For more details: www.mansionhouseyork.com

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. For more details: www.theyorkcompany.co.uk

16-30 June - Festival of Ideas and Innovation

This year’s theme ‘Metamorphosis and Transformation’ at venues across the city. For more details: www.yorkfestivalofideas.com

16 June - York Carnival: Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square.                                   

For more details: www.yorkcarnival.org

16 - June - Yorkshire Bach Choir performing Purcell's  Dioclesia.                                          

For more information:  www.yorkshirebachchoir.org.uk

17 - Barrio

Phillippino festival and parade, Rowntree Park. A parade by young people from the Minster to Rowntree Park with a York800 theme.

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. For more details: www.york.gov.uk

19 June - 9 September - Sports participation activity across the city (until the Paralympics)

Creating our Olympic legacy with voluntary sports clubs across the city. For more details: www.york.gov.uk

29 June - 1 July - Kite Festival: Knavesmire. For more details: www.yorkfestivals.com

30 June - Heworth 800 Golf Open Tournament

100 years of golf at this wonderful course will be marked in a York 800 tournament. For more details: www.heworthgolfclub.co.uk

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 Institute Brass Bands (Sun). For more details: www.brassedon.org

July 

Early July - End August - York 800: A City That Cares

Join us in picturing the best of the caring face of York - a photo competition organised by the Joseph Rowntree Fundation.

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. For more details: www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

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. For more details: www.giulianalazzerini.com/bluetreegallery

6-14 July - Early Music Festival

Reflecting the Olympic ideals of excellence and aspiration with music from the Renaissance. For more details: www.ncem.co.uk

7 July - York800 MOR Music Festival CHARTER WEEKEND

800 minutes of live music in Parliament St. For more details: www.mormusic.co.uk

7-22 July - Festival of the Rivers CHARTER WEEKEND

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 CHARTER WEEKEND

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. For more details: www.english-heritage.org.uk

8 July - Dragon Boat Races CHARTER WEEKEND

One of the highlights of the Festival of the Rivers.

8 July - Simply Vintage 2012 in Parliament St CHARTER WEEKEND

Year 2 of the Simply Vintage event. All things vintage on offer plus a display of vintage scooters. Any enquries please email penny.chaplin@york.gov.uk

9 July - Charter Day feat Ebor Vox CHARTER WEEKEND

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

9 July - Youth Charter CHARTER WEEKEND

The young people of York will create and present a new Charter for the city. For more details: www.york.gov.uk

14 July - One Voice York: Tower Gardens, Skeldergate bridge - 2-4pm

Performance by the One Voice Gospel Choir - members from churches all across York. For more details: www.onevoiceyork.org.uk

14 July - Lord Mayor's Procession

Walk the full circuit of the walls, with musicians playing along the way. For more details: www.yorkwalls.org.uk 

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. For more details: www.yayas.free-online.co.uk

15 July - Drake's Eboracum: Mansion House

A talk by Ivan Martin on Francis Drake's great historical work from 1736. For more details: www.mansionhouseyork.com

21 July - 2 September - Time Travellers Go Royal: Cliffords Tower 11am-5pm

Become King for a day - children can dress up as medieval nobles. For more details: www.english-heritage.org.uk

25 July - 30 September - 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. For more details: www.york.gov.uk/archives

25 July - 30 September - Big City Read

Featuring a specially commissioned medieval murder mystery novel set in the Minster, by Susanna Gregory. For more details: www.york.gov.uk/libraries

30 July -  September - 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. For more details: www.mansionhouseyork.com

August 2012

1 August - National Play Day

Celebrate 800 years of play at venues across the city. For more details: www.york.gov.uk

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. For more details: www.yorkmysteryplays-2012.com

4-12 August - Yorkshire Medieval Festival

A celebration of York’s medieval history. Falconry, archery, re-enactments, performances and guided visits to medieval sites. For more details: www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk

5 August - Jane Tomlinson 10k and kids’ 2k run

This year the races will be themed York 800. For more details: www.forallevents.co.uk

20 August - York 800 Proms, Museum Garden

Featuring specially commisioned music depicting the last eight centuries and your Proms favourites. For more details: www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

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. For more details: www.ebormorris.org.uk

8-9 September - Festival of Cycling: Rowntree Park

21 - 30 September - Festival of Food and Drink

Ten days of Markets, events and activities with a York 800 'foodie' theme. For more details: www.yorkfoodfestival.com

October 2012

October - York Minster Revealed. For more details: www.yorkminster.org

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. For more details: www.yorkminster.org

October - Local Democracy Week

Events in and around the Guildhall

1-5 October - 50+ Games

Fun and games for the over 50s at sports clubs across the city. For more details: www.yorkassembly.org.uk

15 - 20 October - Local Democracy Week

Events in and around the Guildhall. For more details: www.york.gov.uk

24-27 October - Illuminating York

York transformed into a wonderland. For more details: www.illuminatingyork.org

November 2012

November - Inter-Faith Festival

A celebration of short films from around the world, presented in unique venues across the city. For more details: www.asff.co.uk

12-16 November - York Business Week

For more details: www.yorkbusinessweek.co.uk

20 - 24 November - York Scout and Guide Gang Show, Joseph Rowntree Theatre.

With a cast of local Scout and Girlguiding movements, the theme is making history. For more details: www.yorkgangshow.com

29 November – 2 December – St Nicholas Fayre. For more details: www.yorkfestivals.com

December 2012

Early December - A York Christmas/Festival of Angels. For more details: www.visityork.org/christmas

31 December - Community New Year’s Eve. For more details (in due course): www.york.gov.uk