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Coming in 2026...

Two weeks of amazing Fringe events

plus the plays

BE A PART OF THE MAGIC

A Celebration of Medieval Festivities

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

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 in June 2026 at various locations across the City.

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

Get involved

The York Mystery Plays are the joint creation of centuries of York citizens, from the medieval guilds of York to our modern performers and audiences. Find out more about how you can make the plays happen.

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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.

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The Fringe 2026

For 2026, we are celebrating the York Mystery Plays in more ways than ever before

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