There are 10 plays performed on pageant wagons. They move through the City streets stopping at 4 locations to present their play.
The whole performance lasts about 5 hours. This is a live and complex series of events taking place in the City centre. We have worked hard to establish as tight a running order as possible, but start and finish times at each location can only be approximate.
At the first three locations, the plays are free to view. If you wish to watch all plays in succession from the comfort of a seat, then Deans Park is the best location. Tickets are required for the Deans Park location. All timings shown are approximate.
Performances here are open to all. This is a perfect setting to bring a picnic and a rug, and watch for as long as you like in the glorious garden overlooking the Minster. Performances start at 10.30am finishing about 3.30pm
Amidst the bustle of the City streets, experience the Plays in close-up. Between performances of the Mystery Plays, medieval Town Bands will entertain you. Performances start at 11.10am finishing about 4.10pm
Performed amongst the crowds, the Streets are the best place to encounter the Plays if you’re just passing by. Performances start at 11.50am finishing about 4.50pm
This venue will help you experience the Plays from beginning to end. Performed in shadow of York Minster away from the bustle of the City, the Park will let you watch in comfort from covered, raked seating. Tickets required. Performances start at 12.30pm. This is the final performance location.
As dusk falls, the market is transformed by light and procession. The Twilight Lantern Show is part of our Mysteries in the Market performing 5 of the Plays from the 2026 cycle in this unique setting. This offers a magical, shared experience—illuminating stalls, stories and the spirit of the festival. Curated by the artist Mouse for York Festival Trust, these twilight performances offer more than theatre — they are a guided journey into the spiritual and emotional world of the plays, inspired by the power and immediacy of medieval storytelling.
The following plays will be shown; five each night:
THE CREATION. The Guild of Building bring forth their wonderful pop-up theatre waggon to present the creation of the world. Janice Barnes-Newton returns with her lively take on this play in which only one character speaks: God.[TUE and WED]
THE CREATION & FALL OF ADAM & EVE. York University medieval experts deliver an all-female play full of wit, pain and pathos. And a snake. [TUE and WED]
THE SHEPHERDS. This enormously popular musical play takes three shepherds from their hillside to the stable and the birth of Jesus itself in the hands of Pip Cook and the Guild of Waifs & Strays. [TUE only]
THE CRUCIFIXION. Another spectacular waggon, this time built by the Guild of Butchers for this most harrowing of plays. Watch as the waggon itself becomes part of the crucifixion. Presented by York’s 100+ year-old theatre group The Settlement Community Players.[TUE and WED]
THE WAR IN HEAVEN. Witness the fall of angels, as Lucifer challenges God for his throne and is hurled down into the fires of Hell. Brought forth by innovators and recreators of medieval plays HIDden Theatre with the Guild of Freemen. [WED only]
DOOMSDAY. God destroys everything, and the final trumpet raises the dead for the Judgement of Jesus and the waiting hellmouth. Festival favourites Ravens Morris join with Iron Age performance group Haigha to deliver the end of all things as the sun drops and darkness envelops the Shambles. [TUE and WED]
The performance last about an hour and a half. TICKETS HERE
Learn more about the individual Plays here