Romans will once again descend on York as the Eboracum Roman Festival returns, taking over York Museum Gardens and venues across the city from 16-31 May 2026.

The festival’s centrepiece, the popular Living History Encampment, will be held on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May, transforming York Museum Gardens into a bustling Roman encampment. Visitors can meet costumed interpreters, enjoy re-enactments, explore demonstrations of Roman Life and kids can take part in Roman battle activity. Families can chat to Roman soldiers, see objects from daily life, try Roman-style crafts and activities. Curators and historians from across York will offer object handling sessions and mini excavations to bring the city’s Roman past even closer.

Partners from across the city are joining the celebrations. York Archaeology will be in the archaeology zone on the living history weekend, showcasing Roman discoveries, while York Civic Trust will lead guided walks throughout the festival. At York Minster costumed interpreters from Days Gone By will bring the site’s Roman past to life. The University of York will be supporting the city-wide Roman trail activities.

Special guests, historian, author and podcaster Greg Jenner (23 May) and renowned author and actor Terry Deary (24 May) will be giving talks and signing books at the Yorkshire Museum. Tickets for these events will be available soon.

Visitors can also head inside and explore the Yorkshire Museum’s renowned Roman collections, including the opportunity to walk on a real Roman mosaic, and enjoy performances and activities throughout half term.

The Yorkshire Museum, York Minster and York Archaeology are once again collaborating on a programme of free resources and activities for primary schools. New for 2026, schools are invited to join a Roman History Livestream on Thursday 21 May, offering interactive sessions with the experts. Teachers can also explore the links between Iron Age Britain and the Roman Empire at an upcoming CPD event with original object handling. Visit the website for more details.

The Roman festival coincides with the opening of the Yorkshire Museum’s brand-new exhibition, Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard, showcasing a once-in-a-lifetime discovery from over 2,000 years ago.

Further details of this year’s Eboracum Festival will be announced soon. For updates, visit the website and follow the festival on social media.

Note: Partners of this year’s Eboracum Roman Festival, York Archaeology, York Minster, York Civic Trust, University of York and York Museums Trust