February
February sees the return of the world famous Jorvik Viking Festival between 11th and 19th February. This is the 27th Jorvik Viking Festival to be held in York. Running in conjunction with many school half term holidays, the Viking Festival provides plenty of activities for adults and Children of all ages.
Coppergate Camp in York city centre features a replica Viking longship and Viking characters who can tell you all about Viking Life on land and at sea. The Eye of York is an arena for re-enactments of the battles between the Vikings and the Saxons. Guided Walks take place within York as well as at Stamford Bridge, just outside York, where the famous battle took place in 1066. Many more activities can be found on the Viking Festival website.
The Festival of Fire Finale at the Knavesmire on Saturday 18th February involves a torchlit Viking Procession and a final Viking battle with fireworks and a burning longship containing the body of a fallen warrior.
Wizard Week
Wizard week takes place at the National Railway Museum in York between 11th and 19th February. Giving you the chance to see the famous steam train, Olton Hall, which starred in the Harry Potter movies. Competition for the best dressed wizard and the opportunity to fly a broomstick are among some of the many events that are happening during a truly Wizard Week at the National Railway Museum!!
Pancake Day
21st February is pancake day (otherwise known as Shrove Tuesday) Pancakes are made from Ingredients which are forbidden during the period of time known as Lent. Lent is a christian festival which leads up to Easter. During this time certain foods such as fat, butter and eggs are not eaten, therefore it has become a tradition that pancakes are made and eaten on this day.
Some times Pancake races are held where people run down the street and toss pancakes in a pan at the same time! This years pancake race will take place in Parliament street in York on 21st Ferbruary between 12 and 2pm. Teams of four will compete against each other in a relay race that has to include flipping the pancake whilst running!! If you would like to enter a team click here for more details.
