Free, family-friendly sculpture trail returns to York in the new year.
A new band of guardians is set to take up residence across York this winter, as The Night Watchers of York returns for its second instalment from 30 January to 28 March 2027.
Organised by Make It York, the nine sculptures are inspired by the centuries-old stone carvings and grotesques of York Minster.
The free, family-friendly sculpture trail invites everyone to explore the city and discover the stories of a new collection of Night Watchers as they take up their posts across York.
Each Night Watcher has its own character, story to discover and place in the city, creating a fresh collection of characters to encounter throughout the trail.
Follow the trail during the day but don’t miss them after dark to discover a new side to these curious new guardians.
See a new side to the Night Watchers at nightfall
As daylight fades, York provides a very different backdrop for the Night Watchers – making an early evening expedition another way to explore the trail.
While the Night Watchers can be enjoyed throughout the day, visitors can experience the trail in a different way when daylight draws in.
The sculptures are outdoors and some Night Watchers feature light-reflective details or elements that become more noticeable in lower light, meaning visitors may discover something new depending on when they visit.
From nocturnal wildlife and folklore to light, colour and the hidden details that emerge after nightfall, each Night Watcher brings a different side of the night to life.
Sarah Loftus, Managing Director of Make It York, said: “We’re pleased to see the trail return, creating a free and accessible experience that gives everyone even more reasons to explore York.
We aim to bring engaging new ways to support York’s visitor economy during the winter months, encouraging visitors to discover the city’s heritage, attractions, food scene and shopping streets all over again.”
Plan your visit – key details:
The Night Watchers of York
Date: 30 January – 28 March 2027
What to expect: Free, family-friendly sculpture trail across York city centre
This February, the much-loved York Ice Trail returns for another unforgettable weekend, as Legends Unleashed takes over the city.
Over the weekend of 6 and 7 February 2027, the trail will bring legendary stories and characters to life through a spectacular collection of ice sculptures across York.
Inspired by history and folklore, each sculpture brings a new story to life, inviting you to discover more as you explore the city. Free and family-friendly, the trail is a fun way to see York.
The ice sculptures, curated by Make It York and partners, are created by Icebox, the UK and Europe’s leading ice sculpture specialist.
Trail maps will be available from 1 February 2027 online and from the Visit York Visitor Information Centre, where the team will be on hand to help visitors make the most of their York Ice Trail adventure.
Along the way, York’s cafés, restaurants, shops and attractions offer plenty of places to relax and warm up between sculptures.
Sarah Loftus, Managing Director of Make It York, said:“The York Ice Trail is always a special moment in the city’s winter calendar. It’s a brilliant opportunity for families, residents and visitors to explore York, discover incredible ice sculptures and enjoy a little winter magic along the way. This year’s legends theme and the new added experiences are set to make it extra special!”
Ghostly sightings and strange encounters call for an intervention in York
Ghostly goings-on, spooky streets and a serious need for recovery as York gets even more atmospheric this autumn.
York has always been haunted. But this Halloween, things are getting a little out of hand.
Ghostly sightings, strange encounters and stories that refuse to stay buried are making York’s historic streets feel more atmospheric than ever – and it may be time for an intervention.
For anyone brave enough to venture into Haunted York, there are plenty of ways to get your fix of the supernatural.
Explore atmospheric attractions and discover the stories that have earned York its reputation as one of the UK’s most haunted cities.
Uncover centuries of dark history with intriguing storytelling and live theatre with The York Dungeon’s new chilling experience, as you step into the shadowy world of Mother Shipton, the infamous prophetess of Knaresborough.
Barley Hall is looking for trainee ghost hunters to help track down the troublesome ghosts roaming from more than 2,000 years of York’s history.
Keep your eyes peeled for some unexpected visitors at the National Railway Museum. As you explore the incredible collection of iconic locomotives, make sure to search for tiny, hand-crafted ghosts, created with York Ghost Merchants, hiding throughout Station Hall.
While York has plenty to offer during the day, things get particularly interesting after dark when the city takes on a life of its own. There’s only one thing left to do – face the ghosts and choose from a host of spine-tingling ghost walks through the city’s historic streets.
Feeling a little too haunted? Recovery is close at hand.
Warm up with an autumn treat as you escape into cosy pubs or choose from the array of food and drink options, including Shambles Food Court for some of the best street food.
For a little retail therapy, browse some of the city’s independent shops, including the atmospheric Shambles Market, where you’ll find everything from ghostly gifts to tempting treats. Plus, meet some friendly figures as they make an appearance for the Shambles Market Ghost Trail from 24 October to 1 November.
From spooky encounters and dark history to great food and shopping, there’s plenty to keep even the bravest entertained.
Use York Park & Ride from First Bus to get into the city and make the most of your day exploring. It’s an easy, convenient way to get around, so you can spend more time enjoying everything York has to offer car free.
With so much to see and do, attempting to experience Haunted York in a single day could be frightening in itself. The answer? Stay the night. Take your time, explore at your own pace and continue your recovery over breakfast the next morning.
York is haunted. Consider this your warning.
Feeling brave? Discover Haunted York and plan your autumn adventure atvisityork.org/haunted
The final week to bid for one of York’s most distinctive public artworks has arrived.
The Watchers of York auction closes on Thursday 10 September 2026, giving art lovers, collectors and everyone one last opportunity to take home a unique piece of the city’s newest trail.
Produced by Make It York in collaboration with York Minster, the Watchers are inspired by the medieval stone carvings that have watched over York Minster for centuries.
Each sculpture has been individually designed and hand-painted by a talented artist, transforming the iconic guardian into a one-of-a-kind artwork with its own personality, story and connection to York.
Throughout the trail, the Watchers have captivated visitors, with each guardian reflecting the character of the place it watches over.
With bidding closing this week, this is the final chance to choose your favourite sculpture and make one of these remarkable artworks part of your own collection.
Ten unique Watchers are available to bid for, created by talented artists:
The Keeper of Coloured Light – Artist: Caitlin Smith
The Watcher of the Night – Artist: Hannah Jayne Lewin
The Merchant Keeper – Artist: Ishleen Kaur
The Keeper of Voices – Artist: the777paradox
The Scholar’s Keeper – Artist: Catya Elise Ledezma
The Garden Guardian – Artist: Rue Robinson
The River Watcher – Artist: Ali Elly
The Warden of Wild Blooms – Artist: Gill Prendergast
The Gatekeeper – Artists: Rachael and Phillippa Corcutt
The Watcher of York – Artist: Norse Sky
Place your bid today and have the chance to take home a lasting piece of the Watchers of York at:visityork.org/watchers-auction
Funds raised through the auction will support two causes
The York Creates Fund which supports cultural and creative activity across York. Managed by Make It York, the fund seeks to provide opportunities for local creatives to develop new work through micro grants, commissions, competitions and other creative initiatives.
Funds allocated to York Minster will support the ongoing conservation and restoration of the Minster’s internationally significant heritage, including investment in the restoration of the iconic Rose Window.
By placing a bid, you’re not only taking home a unique piece of York’s cultural story, but you’re also helping to support the city’s future creativity and preserve one of its most treasured historic landmarks.
The auction forms part of the wider legacy of the trail, ensuring that the impact of the project continues long after the sculptures leave the streets of York.
Help make a difference to local charities
Two sculptures created in partnership with two local charities will return to those organisations to continue inspiring their communities:
The We’re In It Together City Guardian – York Against Cancer
The Many Hands City Guardian – Artist: York and Scarborough Hospitals Charity
While these guardians are not part of The Watchers of York auction, you can still support the charities that inspired them.
Every donation supports the vital work of these local charities across York and beyond, ensuring that care, compassion and support remain at the heart of our communities.
Don’t miss the Final Gathering, from 3 to 13 September 2026, where you have the rare opportunity to see all twelve Watchers sculptures reunited in the magnificent surroundings of York Minster’s Chapter House before they move on to their permanent homes. Find out more.
The Watchers of York Final Gathering is a unique opportunity to view the twelve sculptures together at York Minster’s Chapter House from 3 to 13 September 2026.
Created by Make It York in collaboration with York Minster, the Watchers are inspired by the medieval stone carvings that have watched over the Minster for centuries.
Set among the Chapter House’s remarkable architecture, stained glass and centuries of craftsmanship, the Final Gathering provides a spectacular finale to the city-wide trail, bringing the sculptures and their stories together one last time.
The Final Gathering is the chance to capture the complete collection before bidding closes on 10 September 2026, with proceeds supporting charitable causes. There are ten sculptures to bid for at: visityork.org/watchers-auction
After spending the summer watching over York’s streets, green spaces, riversides and iconic landmarks, The Watchers of York are returning home for one final appearance together.
From 3 to 13 September 2026, visitors will have the rare opportunity to see all twelve Watchers sculptures reunited at a Final Gathering in the magnificent surroundings of York Minster’s Chapter House before they move on to their permanent homes.
Produced by Make It York in collaboration with York Minster, the Watchers are inspired by the medieval stone carvings that have watched over the Minster for centuries.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Chapter House, surrounded by centuries of craftsmanship, stained glass and architectural heritage, the Final Gathering offers a fitting finale to the trail.
Whether you’ve spent the summer searching for every Watcher or are discovering them for the first time, this special exhibition celebrates the creativity, storytelling and community spirit at the heart of the trail.
Join us for the closing chapter of The Watchers of York story and experience the guardians gathered together one final time before they begin the next stage of their journey.
Event details:
The Watchers of York Final Gathering
Dates: 3 – 13 September 2026
Venue: York Minster, Chapter House
Last chance to take a Watcher home
The Final Gathering also marks the final opportunity to bid for and own one of the Watchers sculptures. Visitors to the Final Gathering will have the chance to view the complete collection one last time before bidding closes on Thursday 10 September 2026, with proceeds supporting charitable causes.
Throughout the summer, the sculptures have delighted residents and visitors as part of the city-wide trail, encouraging people to discover York from a fresh perspective.
The Watchers of York trail remains on display across the city until 31 August 2026. Free trail maps are available from the Visit York Visitor Information Centre at 28 Back Swinegate.
Inspired by the carved grotesques high above us on York Minster, The Watchers of York are protective characters connected to different parts of the city’s story. Some watch over hidden corners, some over green spaces and waterways, while others keep an eye on the movement of people through York’s historic streets.
The arrival of the original stone guardian, named ‘The Watcher of York’, marks an important milestone for the inaugural city-wide sculpture trail launching in two weeks, from 29 June.
Each Watcher has its own personality and guardianship, reflected by the place where it stands. ‘The Watcher of York’ keeps close to York Minster. Some say the first Watcher has always been here, quietly watching from the shadow of York Minster. Carved from stone, it knows every story whispered beneath the Minster windows. While other guardians roam York’s streets and spaces, ‘The Watcher of York’ remains close to its ancient home, keeping watch over the city that inspired them all.
Together, the 12 sculptures will form an intimate trail across York, inviting residents and visitors to discover the city from a new perspective.
Inspired by York Minster’s medieval stone carvings
Launching from 29 June and running to 31 August 2026, The Watchers of York trail is being developed by Make It York in collaboration with York Minster.
The sculptures take inspiration directly from the remarkable carved grotesques of York Minster. Using detailed digital renders of historic stone figures, designers have developed four-foot-tall sculptures that feel both authentic and alive.
One of the original sources for the Watcher character is a medieval carving of a wyvern located on the South Quire of York Minster, dating from around 1400.
Rather than attempting a complete reconstruction of how the wyvern may once have appeared, the sculpture design carefully interprets what survives today, drawing on the visible stonework while respecting its historic origins.
This approach reflects the conservation philosophy used by York Minster’s stonemasonry team, where original carvings are repaired and consolidated wherever possible rather than replaced entirely. The original wyvern grotesque was recently cleaned and stabilised to help ensure its survival for another century and beyond.
The Watchers sculptures follow the same principle, bringing these ancient guardians back into view through respectful interpretation rather than reconstruction, allowing York’s medieval stone characters to watch over the city once again in a new form.
Rooted in heritage and brought to life through creativity, each sculpture is painted by a diverse mix of established artists, charities, community groups and art students. The result will be a distinctive and intimate public art experience celebrating York’s history, culture and creativity.
Meet the Watchers, their guardianship, discover the artists and creators behind the sculptures, and follow the latest trail updates at: visityork.org/watchers-trail
Visit York Tourism Award winners have achieved national recognition at the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, following their success earlier this year at the Visit York Tourism Awards.
The annual awards celebrate the very best of England’s tourism industry, recognising businesses that demonstrate excellence in quality, innovation, customer service and visitor experience.
MonkBridge House wins the Gold Award for B&B and Guest House of the Year.
MonkBridge House is an independent family-run guest house overlooking the River Foss, located within a short distance of York city centre. It’s known for its warm hospitality and commitment to sustainable tourism.
Paul Hemsley owner of MonkBridge House said:
“We were delighted to be shortlisted for VisitEngland’s national award. We gave up corporate life in London six years ago to take over our business in York, and it’s the best move we could have made. York is one of the finest, most welcoming and historic cities in the UK and close to both the Dales, Moors national parks and the coast.
We are blessed with fantastic local produce to make breakfast and it is a delight to welcome new and returning guests from around the world. When refurbishing the property, we have embraced a green approach but in everything we do, our focus is on giving our guests the best possible experience.”
As well as its win for Small Serviced Accommodation Provider of the Year at the Visit York Tourism Awards, it also won the Regenerative Tourism Award. This latest accolade follows previous national success at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in 2024, when the business won the silver award for B&B and Guest House of the Year.
The Wizard Walk of York wins the Silver Award for Experience of the Year.
The Wizard Walk of York combines magic, comedy and York’s rich history, the family-friendly walking tour has become one of the city’s most popular visitor experiences for families.
It has added another national accolade to its growing list of achievements, having now achieved success at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence for three consecutive years.
Owner Daniel Wood aka Phoenix the Red said:
“We are simply spellbound to be VisitEngland finalists once again. We’re a small family business with big ideas, and love bringing magic, wonder and laughter to the streets of our enchanting city.
The Wizard Walk welcomes wand-erers from all over the world, and we specialise in creating unforgettable family memories on a unique walking tour like no other. The world needs more magic, and that’s exactly what we offer and deliver!”
In addition to winning Experience of the Year, the walking tour also won the Independent Business of the Year at the Visit York Tourism Awards, as well as being named a finalist in two further categories.
Castle Howard wins the Silver Award for International Tourism Award.
Castle Howard is one of Britain’s most celebrated historic houses and gardens, situated just outside York in the Howardian Hills National Landscape in North Yorkshire.
Abbigail Ollive, Visitor Attraction Director at Castle Howard said:
“We are incredibly proud to be recognised at the VisitEngland Awards and to be named alongside some of the UK’s leading visitor attractions. A genuine Yorkshire welcome is central to the Castle Howard experience, and we place great importance on ensuring our international visitors feel valued from the moment they arrive.
Through initiatives ranging from cultural awareness training and bespoke guided tours to travel-inclusive ticket packages and tailored visitor services, our team is committed to delivering an outstanding and memorable experience for guests from across the globe.”
Alongside its International Tourism Award win at the Visit York Tourism Awards, its popular Christmas at Castle Howard won Event, Festival or Cultural Experience of the Year (a joint win with York Proms). The attraction was also highly commended in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category.
Sarah Loftus, Managing Director at Make It York, said:
“Congratulations to all three businesses on this fantastic national recognition! We’re delighted to celebrate with these members whose passion and commitment help make York such a vibrant and welcoming destination.
Their success reflects the exceptional quality that continues to strengthen York’s reputation as a world-class destination and and reinforces our city’s standing on the national and international stage.”
Celebrating excellence in York’s visitor economy
The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence ceremony took place on 3 June at Aerospace Bristol.
Now in their 36th year, the event brought together finalists from 21 local and regional competitions, all competing for Gold, Silver and Bronze awards across 16 core categories. These span the breadth of the visitor economy, from accommodation and attractions to accessibility and innovation, alongside special recognitions such as the Travel Content Award and Tourism Superstar Award.
Delivered as part of Visit York’s ongoing commitment to championing excellence across the city’s tourism sector, the Visit York Tourism Awards play a vital role in elevating local businesses to the national stage. By supporting and showcasing York’s leading visitor experiences, the awards programme helps strengthen the city’s reputation as a high-quality, world-class destination.
This national recognition for York’s businesses not only celebrates individual achievement but also reinforces the strength and diversity of the city’s wider visitor economy.
Further details on the Visit York Tourism Awards 2027, sponsored by LNER, including application dates and entry information, will be announced shortly.
The Visit York Tourism Conference 2026, sponsored by LNER, returned to York St John University on Tuesday 13 January. Organised by Make It York, the event explored York’s tourism priorities and opportunities with keynote speakers.
The Visit York Tourism Conference is a vital event for the city, serving as a platform to celebrate and strengthen York’s thriving tourism industry. It brings together local businesses, stakeholders and industry leaders to share insights, strategies, and innovations that drive economic growth and enhance the city’s reputation as a world-class destination.
By fostering collaboration and showcasing the latest trends, the conference ensures York remains competitive, attracts visitors year-round and sustains its position as a cornerstone of regional prosperity.
Sarah Loftus, Managing Director of Make It York, highlighted Make It York’s achievements for 2025 and gave a review of the organisation’s success over the past year, including its contribution to York’s 9.4 million visitors in 2024 [STEAM data].
The previous year’s success [since April 2025] saw Visit York’s social media content reach 15.8 million people, an increase of 8%, and the visityork.org website attain 3.2 million views by 1.1 million users.
York stands out as one of the few major UK cities to have kept its Visitor Information Centre open at a time when many have been forced to close due to financial pressures. The Centre continues to deliver exceptional support for residents and visitors, thanks to its knowledgeable team and more than 20 dedicated volunteers who ensure this valued service thrives.
Building on this momentum, Visit York delivered four bespoke marketing campaigns across the year, each generating an average of 1.6 million impressions. Alongside this were major events such as the York Ice Trail, which attracts visitors specifically for the experience, and the York Christmas Market, which continues to grow with 1.2 million visitors and 37% staying overnight – a welcome boost for the city’s accommodation sector.
The Shambles Market has seen a notable increase in visitor footfall and now ranks among the top five places to visit for both residents and visitors. Building on this success, Make It York has developed a Shambles Market Growth Strategy, which will be rolled out over the coming years.
York had a 22% increase in applications to film in the city in 2025, with an aim to build on the success in 2026. Watch York on screen in series including BBC’s ‘Michael Portillo’s 200 Years of the Railway’; Channel 5’s ‘Our Great Yorkshire Life’; and Channel 4’s ‘Patience’, ‘Top of the Stops’ and ‘Four In a Bed’. In addition to feature films including ‘Blueberry Inn’ with filming also taking place at Castle Howard.
Looking ahead, Visit York aims to broaden its audience through five marketing campaigns showcasing York as the UK’s most inspiring destination break. Highlighting everything from the city’s rich heritage, including chocolate and ghostly tales, to independent retail and attractions that can be discovered throughout the year.
Furthermore, Visit York continues to expand its international audience reach by attending trade and consumer events to highlight the city’s offerings by retaining strong partnerships and collaboration with North Yorkshire Council, North York Moors National Park, City Cruises, Castle Howard, York Minster, LNER and York Museums Trust to highlight the region. International travellers have returned with 1.3 million visitors generating an economic impact of £0.5 billion [STEAM data]. Visit York has over 556K followers on China’s platforms, including Weibo, WeChat and Little Red Book and are the leading city in England. York is noticed across the globe.
Building on the success of events, holding 12 major festivals last year, York is set to host an exciting array of events and initiatives to enhance visitor and resident experiences. York Residents’ Festival takes place over the weekend of 31 January and 1 February with a host of free entry to attractions and offers throughout the city, the popular York Ice Trail will see over 30 spectacular ice sculptures around the historic streets on 7-8 February, the 28th Visit York Tourism Awards takes place on 12 March showcasing York’s vibrant tourism industry, a new walking trail will be unveiled, and plans are already underway for the York Christmas Market.
On the back of the success of new events delivered last year, Make It York is planning to further develop the Seaside in the City event in August, which will offer family-themed activities. The Yorkshire Day Market will also return for four days in August, alongside support for WizardFest for a second year with the Wizard Night time Market at Shambles Market, and a spooky Halloween Night Time Market.
Sarah Loftus, Managing Director of Make It York, said: ”The Visit York Tourism Conference is a pivotal event that brings together York’s industry leaders and businesses, both small and big, to shape the future of York’s tourism sector. By fostering these collaboration and sharing insights, our conference plays a key role in promoting York as a top global destination. As the only self-financing DMO [Destination Marketing Organisation] in the country, it’s all thanks to our members, partners and stakeholders that we can continue to ensure the city’s continued success in a competitive tourism landscape.”
The keynote speaker, Tom Riordan CBE, the Government Envoy for the Northern Growth Corridor, spoke about “Accelerating Growth in the North”. Tom’s role involves working collaboratively across government departments, with mayors, local authorities and other external partners, with the aim of co-developing a plan to support growth, connectivity and investment across the North in line with key government priorities.
Katerina Rysova, Senior Insights Manager at VisitBritain highlighted the industry’s tourism insights and data. Reported consumer travel trends include a growing focus on sustainability, reflected in increased interest in off-season travel and low-impact transport options. Travellers are also seeking more personalised itineraries and tailored experiences, alongside trips designed to support mental wellbeing and overall wellness. Authenticity remains a key driver of travel decisions, including the continued rise of screen tourism (visiting film and television locations) as well as a desire for genuine human connection through high-quality interactions and engagement. At the same time, technology continues to play a central role, with more travellers using AI to plan trips, seek advice and optimise their itineraries.
The day’s presentations were followed by a panel discussion where Sarah Loftus and Katerina Rysova, were joined by Charlotte Watson, Chair of Indie York, and Cherie Federico, Director of Aesthetica. The session was chaired by Dr Brendan Paddison, Chair of the York Tourism Advisory Board, and explored key themes including the importance of collaboration.
These initiatives include Make It York working year-round with Indie York, which celebrated it’s 10th anniversary, explaining how it began as a way for small businesses to come together to showcase York’s independent offer and reinforce the message that the city is open. The Indie York map is available from the Visit York Visitor Information Centre.
The discussion then turned to future opportunities for York. Sarah emphasised that the city cannot rely on the assumption that people will simply come, York must actively promote itself. She stressed the importance of being innovative and standing out from competing cities, for example by promoting York as the most haunted city in England and maintaining the “open for business” message even when the river levels are high, to show that the city remains open and welcoming.
Cherie highlighted the need to better leverage York’s cultural capital, noting that culture and tourism are closely linked. She said that York’s UNESCO City of Media Arts designation plays a critical role in the city’s story, presenting York as an innovative and forward-thinking place where history sits alongside contemporary creativity.
Katerina referred to VisitBritain’s Starring campaign, which highlights film and television locations, describing it as one of the most successful and engaging campaigns, generating more than £200 million for the UK and reinforcing Cherie’s point about the importance of screen tourism.
Looking ahead to 2026, there is much to anticipate, including the Eggsplore York trail focusing on ceramic arts, which will draw visitors to independent businesses across the city; the UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO showcasing York’s creative sector; the Aesthetica Film Festival which attracts thousands of visitors from around the world; and the 20th anniversary of the Aesthetica Art Prize. Sarah concluded by reiterating the importance of continuously promoting York and keeping it firmly positioned as a top, must-see destination.
Closing remarks were delivered by Mark Mattinson, Chair of the Make It York Members’ Advisory Board and General Manager of York Dungeon. Mark also noted that the day’s speakers consistently emphasised the importance of collaboration, not only within the city but also with regional partners, including North Yorkshire and Leeds.
Mark reflected on the evolution of tourism in York, using York Dungeon’s 40th anniversary as a lens through which to consider how the visitor experience has changed since 1986. He highlighted how tourism in the city has transformed over that period and outlined the collective actions needed to safeguard its future, including stronger collaboration and partnership working to nurture the city, as well as continued engagement with initiatives such as the York Members’ Advisory Board and Qa Research barometers to ensure York remains accessible, inclusive and welcoming to visitors.
Supported by Make It York, this November, York & North Yorkshire will celebrate the region’s thriving creative industries at the BAFTA-Qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival. Central to the festival is the UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO, running 6–8 November 2025 at the Guildhall, which brings together more than 40 creative businesses from film, television, gaming, VR, design, publishing, and interactive media. The event demonstrates the city and region’s ambition to lead in creative innovation, foster placemaking, and offer meaningful opportunities for young people.
The creative industries are a cornerstone of economic growth and cultural identity across York & North Yorkshire, contributing billions to the UK economy and employing more than 2.3 million people nationally. Recognised as one of the eight key sectors in the UK Industrial Strategy, they are identified as vital to the country’s future in innovation, export growth, and high-skill employment.
Across York & North Yorkshire, these industries are creating jobs across a wide range of roles, from film production, VR and animation to design, digital marketing, and arts management, while also underpinning the region’s growing reputation for creativity and innovation. They are a key driver in placemaking, turning streets and public spaces into living showcases of creativity that attract visitors, talent, and investment, while fostering economic growth and cultural pride.
“The creative industries are where technology, culture and economy converge,” says Cherie Federico, Director of the Aesthetica Film Festival. “York & North Yorkshire have all the ingredients to lead the UK’s creative revolution: talent, history, infrastructure and ambition. The EXPO is our chance to show the world that this region is not just participating. – it is innovating, shaping and influencing the future of screen, media and design.”
The EXPO will feature some of the region’s most innovative companies. Viridian FX, known for their visual effects on House of the Dragon (HBO), will showcase the art of cinematic storytelling. Revolution Games, creators of the Broken Sword series, will demonstrate the narrative potential of gaming. Orillo Productions, collaborating with Netflix and Amazon Prime, will present award-winning storytelling, while Beckview Studios – a state of the art recording studio and Peel X, the sole supplier of XR experiences for Aardman Animations, will offer hands-on demonstrations of interactive projects, highlighting the region’s creative and technological expertise.
Across York & North Yorkshire, the sector is providing real opportunities for young people to build careers in the creative industries. From film production and VR design to digital marketing and animation, the range of roles is vast, and each contributes to the social and economic vitality of the region.
“York is a city of makers, thinkers, and innovators,” says Cllr Pete Kilbane. “The EXPO shows how creative industries are shaping placemaking, growing our economy, and giving young people real opportunities to build careers in a thriving, forward-looking sector.”
Initiatives like One Creative North link businesses across the region, supporting collaboration, enterprise and skills development. By connecting talent in York with creative networks in West Yorkshire and beyond, the EXPO strengthens the entire northern creative ecosystem.
“From film and gaming to VR and design, York & North Yorkshire are proving that creativity drives both community and commerce,” adds Mayor David Skaith. “This EXPO is an opportunity to highlight our region’s ambition and demonstrate how ceative industries can shape the future of work and culture.”
“The EXPO connects talent from York & North Yorkshire with the rest of the UK and the world, supporting creative businesses and inspiring the next generation,” says Sarah Loftus, Director of Make It York. “This is a moment for the region to lead, showing how innovation and creativity go hand in hand.”
The EXPO is free to attend and offers visitors a unique chance to engage with the sector, experience immersive installations, and see first-hand how York & North Yorkshire are shaping the future of the UK’s creative industries.
It runs as part of the Aesthetica Film Festival, one of the UK’s flagship film events. The festival has established itself as a leading platform for new and established talent, hosting celebrated industry figures including Mark Kermode, Ridley Scott Associates, Peter Straughan (Oscar-winning screenwriter), Alex Lowther (Black Mirror), and Warp Films CEO Mark Herbert (Adolescence). The festival has also collaborated with major institutions like Film4 and the BBC, while providing forums such as the UK Film Production Summit and Women in Screen panels, supporting professional development and industry networking.
Alongside the EXPO, York will also host two Media Arts exhibitions at York Art Gallery, as well as a vibrant Festival Fringe, highlighting the breadth and ambition of the city and region’s creative sector. Together, these events transform York into a living showcase of innovation, placing the city and North Yorkshire firmly at the forefront of the UK’s creative industries and offering an unmissable platform for emerging talent and established professionals alike.
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