Two weeks of Mystery Plays and Fringe events
Watch this space to see how these develop and find out how you can get involved, support or come along and watch.
Women in the Mysteries – Exhibition at the Bar Convent – 19th June to 15th August
Hosted at Bar Convent, this exhibition shines a light on the role of women in the Mystery Plays, past and present—revealing hidden stories, voices and contributions across the years.
‘The Deluge’ – an exhibition of art – Bedern Hall – 20th June to 3rd July
A celebration of creativity inspired by the Mystery Plays. Discover new works including the giant paintings of the777paradox. Curated by Megan Katherine Heywood.
‘The Deluge’ Exhibition Preview Evening and Award Ceremony 7.30pm Sat 20th June Bedern Hall
Celebrate the opening of a vibrant new exhibition inspired by the York Mystery Plays, featuring artwork submitted by artists from across the North of England. Join us for the official opening and awards ceremony as we recognise outstanding entries and hear from curator Megan Kathryn Heywood about the ideas and inspirations behind the exhibition. Free event but BOOKING REQUIRED
The Watchers of York Sculpture Trail – 29th June 2026 to 31st August 2026.
Inspired by an idea by York Festival Trust, Make It York have created this trail in collaboration with York Minster. Stone carvings have been silently watching over York Minster for centuries. These guardians are full of character, humour, and mystery. Now, one of them is stepping off the stonework and making mischief across York. This brand new, city-wide sculpture trail launches alongside the York Mystery Plays. Don’t miss the Doomsday version in the plays!
The Original Stations Trail – 20th June to 4th July
Step back into the medieval city and trace the route of the original pageant wagons. This trail reveals where the plays once unfolded, bringing history vividly into the streets of today. Created by David Farrar for York Festival Trust this trail includes a beautiful souvenir map created by local artist Jo Rodwell.
Dates & Times:
- Sat 20 June 10.30
- Sun 21 10.30
- Mon 22 10.30
- Tues 23 2pm
- Thur 25 10.30 & 7pm: evening walk
- Fri 26 10.30 & 7pm
- Sat 27 10.30
- Mon 29 10.30
- Thurs 2 July 10.30 & 7pm
- Fri 3 10.30 & 7pm
- Sat 4 10.30
- Mon 6 10.30
- Tue 7 2pm
Sound and Memory in the York Mystery Plays – Free archive exhibition – 23rd June to 29th August – Holy Trinity Church, Micklegate
Using materials from the Archive at the National Centre for Early Music our curator, Molly Jervis, invites you to respond to an immersive exhibition exploring how sound and music evoke memory within the York Mystery Plays, past and present. Come along and share your memories. This Church is also the starting point for our Original Stations Trail and only a short walk from The Bar Convent and our Women in the Mysteries Exhibition.
Voices of the Plays: A Celebration of York Mystery Plays in Poetry and Prose. Merchant Taylors Hall, 25th June, 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start
Over recent months, writers of all ages have responded to the themes, stories and characters of the Plays, submitting nearly fifty original poems and prose pieces for inclusion in a new anthology. This event brings together those voices for an evening of readings, reflection and celebration in the magnificent surroundings of Merchant Taylors Hall.
Young writers will open the evening, sharing their work with the audience after an optional pre-event performance workshop. Shortlisted adult writers will then present their selected pieces, showcasing a rich variety of responses to one of York’s most treasured cultural traditions. BOOK PLACES HERE
Expert Talks
Join leading historians, artists and practitioners as they explore the Mystery Plays from new angles. These engaging talks offer insight, context and lively discussion. Delivered for York Festival Trust by Dr. Mike Tyler, Dr. Jeremy Goldberg, Dr. Alan Heaven, Paul Toy, Molly Jervis, Maurice Crichton and Roger Lee.
Friday 12th June The York Corpus Christi Play: Popular Devotion, Civic Usurpation, State Suppression. 2.30pm Holy Trinity Goodramgate . The history of the pageant cycle from its roots in popular devotion, through the intervention of the future Richard III, to its end in reign of the first Elizabeth. Dr. Jeremy Goldberg, Emeritus, University of York
Friday 19th June REIMAGINING THE SACRED 2.30pm Holy Trinity Goodramgate
How a 21st-century production interprets a medieval cycle. — casting, community involvement, staging, scale, rehearsal process. Dr. Alan Heaven, Pageant Master 2026
Tuesday 23rd June 2.00pm Holy Trinity Micklegate – Echoes Through the Plays: Music, Memory and the York Mystery Plays – Exhibition Launch and talk with Curator Molly Jervis
Friday 26th June 2.30pm Holy Trinity Goodramgate. Music of The Mysteries :How music has always been central to the Plays, from original performance traditions to modern interpretation Paul Toy, Pageant Master 2010, Musician, Dramatist ,Theatre Director
Monday 29th June 2.00pm Holy Trinity Micklegate – Bring the Plays to Life How do you bring one of York’s oldest and most cherished traditions to life for a modern audience? Join Pageant Master Dr Alan Heaven and York Festival Trust Chair and Producer Roger Lee for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at York Mystery Plays 2026.
Friday 3rd July 2.00pm Holy Trinity Micklegate. Being Noah. Actor and Director Maurice Crichton givers an illustrated talk on the Noah Plays and their presentation.
Booking required for all talks HERE
Podcasts – Voices of The York Mystery Plays now streaming online
Listen in as stories unfold beyond the stage. A series of podcasts brings together voices from the production, the city and beyond, offering reflection, insight and behind-the-scenes perspectives. You can listen online:
Spotify. and. Soundcloud
Audio Plays
Experience the drama through sound alone. These specially created audio plays retell the plays in full, inviting you to engage your imagination wherever you are. York Festival Trust has begun the task of recording all 48 original Plays over the next three years. If you’d like to take part, get in touch. You can listen via Spotify OR Soundcloud
Film
Students from York University have created a short film responding to the Noah plays. Watch for our launch on YouTube and in person.
Twilight Show – Shambles Market – 30th June and 1st July – 7.30pm
As dusk falls, the market is transformed. The Twilight Show is part of our Mysteries in the Market performances and offers a magical, shared experience—decorating stalls, stories and the spirit of the festival. BUY TICKETS HERE
Mistero Buffo – Riding Lights Theatre, Friargate. 27th June to 4th July
With ferocious wit and fearless physical storytelling, this two-hander production from Riding Lights Theatre Company tears into faith, power, profit and hypocrisy by turning ancient Bible stories into urgent, laugh-out-loud theatre with a clear spiritual heart. Written by Nobel prize-winning playwright Dario Fo, this hilarious take on the Mystery Plays is the perfect fringe choice for those who like their comedy with a bit of bite. Sharp, subversive and unapologetically now.
Details and tickets at www.ridinglights.org
The Sixteen concert in York Minster part of York Early Music Festival
Saturday 4th July Details and tickets www.ncem.co.uk