York to travel back in time with Eboracum Roman Festival

The Eboracum Roman Festival will take over the city from May 16 to May 31, offering visitors two weeks of immersive history, entertainment, and family fun across various landmark venues.

Organised by York Museums Trust in collaboration with partners including the York Archaeological Trust and York Minster, the festival promises hands-on activities, talks and trails for all ages.

Romans line up in York Museum Gardens (Image: Gareth Buddo)

Clare Alton-Fletcher, participation and learning manager at York Museums Trust, said: “York Museums Trust are delighted to be hosting the Eboracum Roman Festival again along with the ArchaeoYork group of York Minster, York Archaeological Trust, York Civic Trust and the University of York this year, as well as partnering with Uncomfortable York and City Screen for more Roman events.

“The festival always offers a fantastic experience for partners across the city to come together and showcase the best of York’s history to residents and visitors, and we can’t wait to share amazing activities happening across the city with you all.

“The Living History Weekend is going to be a fun-filled celebration; we are beyond excited to have Greg Jenner and Terry Deary with us this year.

“There’s something for everyone throughout the rest of half term too, with lots of Roman-related activities to enjoy at the Yorkshire Museum.”

Roman Soldier in York Museum Gardens (Image: Gareth Buddo)

The Living History Weekend will be held on May 23 and 24 in the York Museum Gardens, featuring a Roman encampment with demonstrations of traditional crafts including weaving, carpentry, pottery and blacksmithing.

Visitors can interact with costumed legionaries, learn about daily life in Roman times and try their hand at some of the crafts.

Military displays by the Ermine Street Guard will showcase Roman formations and weaponry, while an Edible Garden tour on May 23 will focus on plants and herbs used by the Romans for cooking, medicine and even poisons.

Roman camp in York Museum Gardens (Image: Gareth Buddo)

Children can take part in the ticketed Kids Barbaric Battle, dressing as legionaries and charging across the lawn.

Artillery demonstrations will also bring ancient warfare to life.

The festival also features talks by popular authors.

Historian and podcaster Greg Jenner will present a family-friendly talk titled Totally Chaotic History: Roman Britain Gets Rowdy on May 23 at the Yorkshire Museum.

Horrible Histories author Terry Deary will speak on May 24, delivering a talk for audiences aged 16 and over titled Revolting – A Riotous History of Rebellions and Revolutions.

Throughout the weekend, storytelling sessions will include readings by Kate Campbell, author of Vlad and the Roman Triumph, and Stories Alive with their version of The Labours of Hercules.

Visitors can meet authors Simon Turney, Simon Elliot, Paul Chrystal and Alex Gough in the Bibliothēca tent, where they will discuss, sign and sell their books.

York Archaeological Trust, the Roman Bath Museum and the Yorkshire Museum will be in the Archaeology Zone featuring mock excavation pits and hands-on artefact sessions.

Gareth Henry, director of public engagement at York Archaeology, said: “Working in partnership across the city is always such a pleasure.

“The Eboracum Roman Festival is a hit in the city and we’re so excited to be bringing an expanded new archaeology zone to the festival this year and support the Living History Camp in the Museum Gardens.”

Additional events will be held city-wide, including costumed interpreters at York Minster, Roman-themed walking tours, and a city treasure hunt supported by the University of York.

A free symposium exploring Egypt’s presence in Roman York will be held on May 20.

The Yorkshire Museum’s newly opened exhibition Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard, which showcases the largest deposit of Iron Age objects ever found in Britain, will be highlighted during the festival.

Family activities inside the museum will be included with general admission, including workshops, games and encounters with a costumed Roman.

The festival concludes on May 31 with a screening of the film Gladiator at City Screen.

A schools programme will offer free online resources as well as a livestreamed Roman history session on May 21.

For full details, tickets, and booking information, visit the Yorkshire Museum website.