York Walls Festival takes place every Summer in the vibrant and historic city of York, in Yorkshire, England. Founded in 2018, the festival focusses on community and heritage, to celebrate all that goes on within and without the world-famous Bar Walls.
The Friends of York Walls are a registered charity who work closely with the Festival Team to deliver and support events at the Festival. The Friends look after the 500 year-old Fishergate Postern Tower on behalf of City of York Council, and have open days and events all year round at the tower, staffed by volunteers. Fishergate Postern Tower is open on Festival weekend, where additional festival events are held.
The 2021 York Walls Festival is coming in August this year. Building on the success of former festivals, the Festival Team are again planning a wide-range of in-person and on-line events throughout the city, again partnering with local organisations and community groups. All in-person events will comply with government guidance, and ensure the safety of visitors and volunteers
The York Walls Festival Extra ‘Twilight Walls’ took place on October 20th, 21st and 22nd 2021.
A special event to raise money for next year’s York Walls Festival, ‘Twilight Walls’ gave access after dusk to York’s famous Bar Walls on the stretch of Walls from Bootham Bar gateway to Monk Bar gateway, which passes behind York Minster, on the line of the walls of the original Roman fort of Eboracum.
The Walls close at dusk and are rarely open in the evening, offering the unique chance to experience the Walls and the views from this vantage point in the dark.
There were three special sessions of ‘Twilight Walls’ to choose from! All tickets were £8.
On the Wednesday and Thursday at 19:00 professional guide Ian Tempest led the group and gave a talk about the Walls halfway around the Walls section, at Robin Hood’s Tower.
On the Wednesday at 19:00 The North Yorkshire Bat Group led a ‘bat-detection’ experience
On all three dates you could experience the stretch of the Walls after-dark without a guide (supervised by volunteer stewards), allowing you to enjoy the sights, ambience and take photographs etc.
Proceeds from the event goes towards the volunteer-run York Walls Heritage & Community Festival which organises free and nearly-free, family-friendly events and activities that promote the history and heritage of York, and partner with community, volunteer groups and creative individuals in and around York.
The event was made possible with the kind assistance of City of York Council, The Friends of York Walls and The North Yorkshire Bat Group.
Look out for similar events on the Walls after normal opening hours in 2022!