Refugee Week 2026

Refugee Week 2026 is 15 to 21 June and this year’s theme is ‘courage’. This year is particularly special as Refugee Week 2026 marks 75 years since the Refugee Convention: a landmark agreement affirming that those forced to flee deserve protection, dignity, and hope. For 75 years, it has provided the legal foundation that has saved millions of lives.

For refugees around the world, courage is often a daily necessity. It is the courage to face unknown journeys, learn new languages, navigate unfamiliar systems, or simply to wake up each morning and step into an uncertain world.

Courage isn’t always loud or bold. It can be found in simple acts: opening your door to a neighbour, trying new food, or watching a film that changes your view of the world. It can be speaking up, asking for help, sharing your story – or simply having the courage to be yourself.

How is York Museums Trust celebrating Refugee Week 2026?

This year, York Museums Trust are running three events to celebrate Refugee Week.

1. Wednesday 17th June, 12-12:30pm, York Art Gallery Gallery Talk: A Tale of Two Ceramic Factories, with Dr Helen Walsh, Curator of Ceramics

Join ceramics curator Dr Helen Walsh for a talk exploring the lives of two remarkable ceramists who fled Nazi persecution and rebuilt their careers in Britain: Lucie Rie and Grete Marks. Discover how these extraordinary women overcame displacement and adversity to leave a lasting mark on British ceramics.

2. Thursday 18th June, 10:30am-2pm, Museum Gardens, Simple Acts of Courage in the Museum Gardens

Join us in the Museum Gardens as we explore the theme of courage and what it means to you. Inspired by Refugee Week’s Simple Acts, you’ll have the opportunity to reflect, share, and commit to a courageous act of your own. Have a look at Quentin Blake’s illustrations of this year’s nine Simple Acts of Courage: Simple Acts | Refugee Week.

3. Thursday 18th June, 6-8pm, Tempest Anderson Hall, Yorkshire Museum York Refugee Week Film Evening

Organised by the University of York Migration Network (MigNet) in collaboration with York Museums Trust.

Entrance is free but booking is required via Eventbrite. Check out the full programme and book your place at: York Refugee Week Film Event Tickets, Eventbrite

Throughout the year, York Museums Trust welcome anyone who identifies as a refugee or sanctuary seeker free entry to our sites. We also work with Refugee Action York to provide free visits and activities throughout the year as part of our Community Participation Scheme.

Find out more

You can find out more at Refugee Week.

View the Refugee Action York – Refugee Week 2026 Leaflet.

If you have any questions about Refugee Week at York Museums Trust, please get in contact with Sammi Lukic-Scott (Community Participation Manager) at sammi.lukic-scott@ymt.org.uk.