Date: 7 July 2026

Japanese celebration coming to York Art Gallery this August bank holiday! 

York Art Gallery will be celebrating the close of their current incredible exhibition, Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Prints, during the August bank holiday 2026. With incredible Japanese-themed crafts and food, traditional harp playing and drumming sessions, as well as performances from local choir groups and Kokedama (a traditional nature-based craft). Visitors are encouraged to enjoy all these activities, stay all day to eat, play and relax in the beautiful Japanese Garden at the back of the Gallery. 

Throughout the August bank holiday weekend, a range of activities will be available to try inside the gallery. It will be the final chance to see Hokusai’s Great Wave from Maidstone Museum and discover more about Japanese art and culture as the exhibition waves goodbye with this special closing celebration. Visitors are able to create their own print as part of the exhibition, view stunning kimonos from Durham Oriental Museum, and discover samurai armour and swords from the Royal Armouries. 

Over 38,000 people have already visited, so book now to enjoy the exhibition throughout the summer months. The closing celebration will also be the last weekend to shop the incredibly popular Japanese ranges in York Art Gallery’s gift shop. 

This special event will run across Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August, with more details to be announced. For current details about the activities, times, tickets and more information, visit York Art Gallery’s website.