Bridgerton-style York Georgian Festival returns this summer

BRIDGERTON fever will return to York as the fourth annual York Georgian Festival takes over the city this summer.

Once again, the city will fill with the sights and sounds of 18th-century life this August – and fans of the hit TV drama Bridgerton will get the opportunity to step into the world of the gorgeous Georgians for five days.

Hosted by the historic York Mansion House, the five-day festival programme ranges from free displays of dancing and military drills in St Helen’s Square to the splendour of the annual York Georgian Ball at the Grand Assembly Rooms, and includes talks, tours, performances and workshops at a variety of venues.

The festival will run from Thursday August 6 to Monday August 10.

Richard Pollitt, manager and curator of York Mansion House, said: “We’re looking forward to another fabulous festival, with a busy programme lined up exploring the fascinating history of this era. We’d like to thank all our partner attractions for supporting the festival once again.

York Georgian Festival. Photo: Gareth Buddo

“The popularity of the Georgian and Regency period shows no sign of slowing down with people finding so much joy in recreating the fashions and social occasions of the time, and we aim to bring some of that joy to the streets of York.”

The festival’s promenade will return on Saturday August 8, starting from Clifford’s Tower and making its way through the city to York Mansion House, led by His Majesty’s 33rd Regiment of Foot. Anyone interested in dressing up and joining is invited to book a free place.

The Regiment will be demonstrating their drills on the afternoons of Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August in St Helen’s Square along with displays of Georgian dancing by the Galliard Folk Dancers.

This year’s ball, on Saturday August 8 will be a Masquerade Ball, traditionally an extravagant occasion when guests would wear elaborate fancy dress and masks to disguise their true identities.

Live music will be provided by Eboracum Baroque with guidance from dance mistress Lottie from Dance the Past, all with the support of ASK Italian and York Gin.

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Anyone wanting to prepare for the ball can take dancing lessons at The Guildhall on Friday August 7 and there will be free fan language workshops at York Mansion House, where you can learn how to send secret messages across the dance floor!

Talks and tours include the return of Horrible Histories author Terry Deary who will explore Murder in the Georgian Theatre, on Thursday August 6, self-led and bookable festival tours of the Bar Convent, curators’ talks on fashion and dress at Fairfax House and York Castle Museum, and an examination of how women were treated by the Georgian justice system at Barley Hall on Friday August 7.

Visitors can enjoy a multitude of events at the York Georgian Festival Image: Gareth Buddo

One of York’s most famous Georgian visitors, Anne Lister, will be the subject of a new play No Priest But Love hosted by Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, and Merchant Taylors’ Hall Sunday August 9.

The last day of the festival, Monday August 10, will see a series of talks including the launch by York St John students of a new edition of correspondence exchanged between writers Ignatius Sancho, one of the first Black Britons known to have voted in a parliamentary election, and Yorkshire-based Laurence Sterne, author of Tristram Shandy.

Find full listings and booking details at: www.yorkgeorgianfestival.co.uk