York Mystery Plays – York Festival Trust

Coming in 2026...

Two weeks of amazing Fringe events

plus the plays

BE A PART OF THE MAGIC

A Celebration of Medieval Festivities

Since 1998 our plays have taken to the streets of
York every 4 years to recreate the spectacle
of these Medieval festivities.

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Our City’s Literary
and Theatrical Tradition

The staging of the York Mystery Plays is one of the
city’s greatest literary and theatrical traditions, and is
a hugely popular part of York’s cultural heritage.

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Support the York Mystery Plays!

Donate

As a not for profit organisation we rely on the support of generous organisations and individuals.

Partner with us

To see how you can partner with us, just click on this link.

Or to make a cash donation, click here. Every penny goes to the production of the festival.

Welcome to the York Mystery Plays Festival 2026

The York Mystery Plays are a theatrical spectacle performed by the communities of the City of York, the Plays will return to the city 28th June and 5th July 2026 at four locations across the City: The Minster Refectory Gardens; King’s Square; St Sampson’s Square; and ticketed seats at Dean’s Park.

Special midsummer performances will take place as the Mysteries return to the Market Place in The Shambles with audiences able to experience several plays in this unique setting.

Sunset Shows

Experience five plays in the intimate setting of the Shambles Market, embraced by images and introduced musically by the fabulous York Waits. Let Pageant Master Dr Alan Heaven guide you through each play, from the Creation sequence to the End of Days in the interactive show Doomsday.

The shows begin at 7.45 and end as the dusk is deepening, before 10pm.

Book your tickets here

The Plays

The York Mystery Plays are a cycle of 48 medieval plays covering the Christian history of the world from the creation to the Last Judgment. Find out more about the plays which have been chosen to represent the cycle in 2026.

Find out more