About Us

About Us

York Walls Festival holds events throughout the year, and has just added a Spring Weekend to its calendar! Founded in 2018, the Festival celebrates communty, history and heritage in the vibrant and historic city of York, in Yorkshire, England.

Friends of York Walls

Friends of York Walls

The Friends of York Walls are a registered charity who support 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 weekends.

2022 Festival Weekends

2022 Festival Weekends

For 2022 the York Walls Festival is having two special weekends - one around the May Day Bank Holiday Weekend (Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May) and one in the Summer (Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th August). We're proud to again be partnering with local organisations and community groups to tell more stories and promote our shared heritage!

Upcoming Events on York’s Bar Walls!

Note: Due to unforeseen circumstances no Walls Festival events on April 29th & 30th 2023.

Walk the Walls – FREE!

York’s Bar Walls are free to walk all year round (except when weather conditions make them unsafe, check for Christmas Day openings). They are the perfect, family-friendly way to experience York, enjoy its amazing history and see fantastic views of the city. It’s easy to get back into central York in just a few minutes from any exit point. Walking the Walls incudes walking up and down several steps. Open approximately 08:00 to dusk.

Fishergate Postern Tower: Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th April – FREE ENTRY (donations very welcome!)

The amazing 500 year-old tower, guarding a pedestrian access to the city, is looked after by The Friends of York Walls. The tower is open for free on both days, thanks to our amazing and knowledgeable volunteers. Climb the spiral staircase and visit all three floors! Find the ‘Tudor Toilet’! See the incredible medieval roofbeams! Open 10:00 to 16:00, circumstances permitting.

yorkwalls.org.uk

The Slightly Notorious Ebor Morris Dancers: Sunday 30th April – FREE (donations very welcome!)

The Slightly Notorious Ebor Morris Dancers will be dancing around (and sometimes on!) York’s Bar Walls as part of their May Day celebrations on Sunday 30th April 2023. Approximate timings:

  • 11.00 – 11.10 Fishergate Bar
  • 11.15 – 11.25 Walmgate Bar
  • 11.45 – 11.55 Monk Bar
  • 11.55 – 12.10 Golden Slipper public house
  • 12.20 – 12.30 Robin Hood’s Tower
  • 12.40 – 13.50 Bootham Bar
  • 13.50 – 14.00 Exhibition Square
  • 14.20 – 14.35 Toft Tower (performing the Escrick Sword Dance)
  • 14.40 – 14.50 Micklegate Bar
  • 14.55 – 15.05 Victoria Bar
  • 15.10 – 15.35 Golden Ball public house
  • 15.40 – 15.55 Bitchdaughter Tower
  • 16.10 – 16.20 Fishergate Postern Tower
  • 16.30 – 17.00 Fishergate Bar
  • 17.00 – The Phoenix Inn public house

ebormorris.org.uk