Your York BID 
Experience
A vibrant and entertaining place to be
Your York BID
Experience
A vibrant and entertaining place to be
The experience economy is what modern-day cities must plan for. We will continue to support established festivals but also seek to nurture a vibrant and lively city centre that has plenty to offer those who live and work here, as well as delight visitors.
Ghosts in the Gardens
Discover historic sculptures in beautiful settings.
Cementing York’s reputation as one of Europe’s most haunted cities, York BID presents Ghosts in The Gardens. This free event features 45 ghostly figures inspired by York’s rich history, hidden throughout the city’s most beautiful public gardens and green spaces—offering the perfect family day out. Running for two months, including Halloween, the event invites visitors to uncover the stories of both famous figures, like the notorious 18th-century highwayman, and lesser-known historical characters. Since its launch in 2021, Ghosts in The Gardens has grown in popularity, attracting over 20,000 views to the event webpage last year alone.
Colour & Light
A high impact and large-scale visual arts project, using 3D projection mapping to bring York’s iconic buildings to life.
The project was launched in 2023 in partnership with York Minster, and celebrates the city’s UNESCO Media Arts status.
This year, York BID worked with York Museums Trust to illuminate the façade of York Art Gallery. Over 35,000 visitors marvelled at the displays across the two events.
Winter Lights
York has one of the strongest festive offerings of any city in the UK.
York’s dazzling Winter Lights display features over 175,000 LED lights, illuminating more than 50 streets and stretching an impressive 15 kilometres. On Parliament Street, programmable ‘twinkly’ lights create vibrant, animated displays in the trees surrounding the annual Christmas Market. Meanwhile, our giant illuminated Santa’s Postbox, located in the York Museum Gardens, delights visitors of all ages. To keep the city bright and welcoming during the darker months, the non-festive elements of the display remain in place until February.
Family-Friendly Experiences & Trails
Encouraging families to visit the city centre and discover its hidden gems beyond the main thoroughfares
Each year, York BID delivers a range of free trails and family-friendly events designed to delight young children and their families. From the enchanting Nutcracker Trail and the seasonal Ghosts in the Gardens to the awe-inspiring Titan the Robot, these experiences provide compelling reasons to visit the city centre beyond shopping and dining. They play a valuable role in increasing footfall, particularly during quieter periods of the year, and contribute to a vibrant and welcoming city atmosphere.
Early Evening Events & Festivals
Encouraging visitors to dwell for longer and take advantage of York's early evening offering
Events such as Live For St Leonard's play a vital role in supporting York’s early evening economy by encouraging visitors to remain in the city centre beyond traditional retail hours. Cultural activities, performances, and seasonal experiences not only enrich the city’s offering but also drive footfall to hospitality venues, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. These events help to enhance perceptions of safety and accessibility, making the early evening a more attractive time to explore York.
More Projects
York's Future Developments
Key new developments that are currently underway in York city centre