Things to do in York tonight
Ghost walks leave from the Shambles and King’s Staith every night, the Theatre Royal and the Opera House have shows, Fossgate has the restaurants and Micklegate has the pubs.
11 picks that fit, best first. The order follows the live forecast and the time of day.
York city walls
Bootham Bar
Two miles of medieval wall to walk around the city, with the best views of the Minster, free.
Timed right for sunset. Go now, before the rain arrives. Good in the evening.
- Free
- Outdoors
- Under 2 hours
The Shambles and Shambles Market
City centre
The overhanging medieval street of butchers’ shops, now sweets and wizard shops, with the market beside it.
Good in the evening. Free.
- Free
- In and out
- Under 2 hours
- Good with kids
Fossgate and Walmgate
Fossgate
The restaurant street: independents from tapas to Yorkshire ale, beside the Foss.
Rain is due later, and this is under cover. Good in the evening.
- £10 to £25
- In and out
- Under 2 hours
- Fine in rain
Museum Gardens and the Yorkshire Museum
Museum Street
Botanical gardens with abbey ruins, a Roman tower and peacocks, free, with the Yorkshire Museum inside.
Go now, before the rain arrives. Good in the evening. Free.
- Free
- Outdoors
- Under 2 hours
- Good with kids
Gardens free; museum ticketed
Micklegate
Micklegate
The Georgian street of pubs from the bar to the bridge, and the Micklegate Run that ends at the river.
Rain is due later, and this is under cover. Good in the evening.
- Under £10
- In and out
- Under 2 hours
- Fine in rain
River Ouse cruise
King’s Staith
An hour on the river past the Guildhall, the Museum Gardens and the bishop’s palace, with commentary.
Rain is due later, and this is under cover. Good in the evening.
- £10 to £25
- In and out
- Under 2 hours
- Fine in rain
- Good with kids
York ghost walk
The Shambles
The most haunted city in England does its ghost stories every night, by lantern, from the Shambles.
Go now, before the rain arrives. Good in the evening.
- Under £10
- Outdoors
- Under 2 hours
- Good with kids
York Theatre Royal
St Leonard’s Place
A theatre since 1744, with a producing company, a famous panto and a glass foyer over medieval walls.
Rain is due later, and this is under cover. Good in the evening.
- £10 to £25
- Indoors
- Under 2 hours
- Good with kids
The snickelways
City centre
The alleys, ginnels and passages that thread the medieval centre, free to explore with a map.
Go now, before the rain arrives. Good in the evening. Free.
- Free
- Outdoors
- Under 2 hours
- Good with kids
Grand Opera House
Cumberland Street
The city’s touring house for musicals, comedy and bands, in an Edwardian theatre by the river.
Rain is due later, and this is under cover. Good in the evening.
- Over £25
- Indoors
- Under 2 hours
The York Dungeon
Clifford Street
Actor-led horror history, from the Vikings to Guy Fawkes, with jump scares for the brave.
Rain is due later, and this is under cover. Good in the evening.
- Over £25
- Indoors
- Under 2 hours
- Good with kids
Good to know
What can I do in York tonight?
Ghost walks leave from the Shambles and King’s Staith every night, the Theatre Royal and the Opera House have shows, Fossgate has the restaurants and Micklegate has the pubs. The 11 picks here all work after dark; the list is reordered for the weather, so on a wet night the indoor options come first.
What is open late in York?
Food halls, bars, theatres and a few attractions with late openings. Opening hours change, so check the official site link on each card before you set off.