Sun Ring Making Saturday 29 August 2026 Drop in between 10.30am – 4.30pm  Free Suitable for all ages    Join artist Seiko Kinoshita for a fun, family-friendly workshop where you’ll create your own colourful woven sun wheel to take home.  This session takes place outdoors (weather permitting), in the Artists’ Garden directly behind York Art Gallery.

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Jiu Jitsu Performance Saturday 29 August 2026 2pm  Free Suitable for all ages Enjoy a demonstration of Jiu Jitsu, the unarmed self-defence martial art the Samurai (armoured warriors) used to train for the battlefield, with a modern twist. This performance will offer an introduction to the sport, showcasing techniques from falling safely to defence against punches, […]

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Japanese Gardening Society Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2026  10am – 5pm   Free Suitable for all ages Members of the Japanese Garden Society will be on hand to share their knowledge and expertise in Japanese Gardening from construction and maintenance to restoration. The Japanese Gardening Society staff is located outdoors, in the Artists’ Garden directly behind York […]

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Paddle in the Surf: Mokuhanga Printmaking  Sunday 30 August 2026 10am – 4.30pm (Sessions run every 25-minutes)  £15 per person, tickets available to purchase on the day * Suitable for all ages and abilities   Join printmakers, Andy and Naomi to watch a live demonstration of Mokuhanga printmaking, a traditional Japanese woodblock printing technique. You’ll be guided through a short session creating 4 beautiful, printed designs inspired by ‘The Great Wave’ using rich Prussian blue […]

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Making Waves: A Closing Celebration Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2026 10am – 5pm Suitable for all ages Join us to celebrate the Making Waves exhibition by marking its closing weekend with a 2-day festival of music, workshops, creative activities, food and drink for all the family in York Art Gallery and York Museum Gardens.  Sunday Programme: Face Painting 10am – 4.30pm Face Painting £7, […]

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Face Painting Sunday 30 August 2026 10am – 4.30pm   Prices: Glitter Tattoo £5, Face Painting £7, Magic Combo (face painting and glitter tattoo) £10  Suitable for ages 3+  Choose from a range of face painting designs by Fairy Dream Face Painting, including a striking wave inspired by Hokusai’s iconic The Great Wave. Glitter tattoos are also available. […]

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Taiko Drumming Performances Sunday 30 August 2026 Performances: 11am – 11.30am and 3pm – 3.30pm Interactive ‘give it a go’ session: 1.30pm – 2pm Free Suitable for all ages   Enjoy an energetic Taiko drumming performance from York-based Taiko group, Kaminari UK. Taiko, which originated in Japan, is an energetic and dynamic form of drumming combining both […]

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The Art of Kokedama Sunday 30 August 2026 | 11am- 12 noon  £25 pp |  Book Tickets Suitable for ages 10+ In this creative session, Alice from The Outside In will take you step-by-step through the traditional style of creating Kokedama: using leafy plants and moss. Kokedama, roughly translates into English as ‘moss ball.’ You’ll […]

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Micklegate Choir Performance: Sound Waves Sunday 30 August 2026 12 noon Free Suitable for all ages   This year, the Micklegate Choir will be hosting their annual summer concert in York Art Gallery’s Making Waves exhibition. The choir will be performing excerpts from their programme which explores land, seascapes and choral pieces from Japan amongst the amazing Japanese art […]

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Jiu Jitsu Performance  Sunday 30 August 2026 2pm  Free Suitable for all ages Enjoy a demonstration of Jiu Jitsu, the unarmed self-defence martial art the Samurai (armoured warriors) used to train for the battlefield, with a modern twist. This performance will offer an introduction to the sport, showcasing techniques from falling safely to defence against punches, […]

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