Eboracum Roman Festival 2026 and New Melsonby Hoard Exhibition at Yorkshire Museum
The historic city of Eboracum is gearing up for a major celebration of its ancient past as the Eboracum Roman Festival returns to York from 16 to 31 May 2026. Developed in collaboration with city-wide partners including the York Archaeological Trust, York Minster, and the University of York, the extensive programme features interactive events, family trails, and living history displays across the city and within the Yorkshire Museum.
The festival also coincides with a major milestone for the institution: the opening of Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard on 15 May 2026. This landmark exhibition showcases the largest deposit of Iron Age objects ever discovered in Britain, offering visitors a rare glimpse into northern life more than two millennia ago.
Living History and Family Events in York
The festival highlights include a weekend of live performances, craft demonstrations, and combat displays in the York Museum Gardens on 23 and 24 May 2026. Visitors can explore the Living History Camp to see traditional weaving, pottery, and blacksmithing in action, or watch military drills by the Ermine Street Guard. Younger visitors can participate in the ticketed Kids Barbaric Battle, dressing up as Roman legionaries for a ceremonial charge across the lawns.
Author talks form a core part of the weekend schedule at the Yorkshire Museum. Historian Greg Jenner presents a family-friendly talk titled Totally Chaotic History: Roman Britain Gets Rowdy on Saturday 23 May, followed on Sunday 24 May by writer Terry Deary with a session on historic revolutions. Additional storytelling sessions, object handling, and mock-archaeology discovery pits run throughout the weekend.
City-Wide Roman Programme and Museum Exhibitions
Beyond the museum grounds, the festival extends across the historic center with walking tours by Uncomfortable York, costumed interpreters at York Minster, and an interactive treasure hunt. Inside the galleries, visitors can walk upon an authentic Roman mosaic, which serves as the backdrop for special performances and creative family workshops.
Plan your next cultural outing by exploring current exhibitions on Musemap (musemap.art), where you can also browse upcoming events or search the museum collection.
