Date: 11 May 2026 

Popular Health, Arts and Wellbeing Festival returns to York Museum Gardens. 

The York Health and Arts Mela is returning to York Museum Gardens for 2026. The Mela is a multicultural health and wellbeing festival that showcases a variety of traditional culture, food, music. This vibrant and diverse event establishes a sense of community and togetherness in the heart of the city and highlights the importance of prioritising health and wellbeing. 

The first Mela was held in 2023, and the festival won a Community Pride Award in 2024. This year the festival will take place on the main lawn of York Museum Gardens, it’s a free event open to all to learn more about NHS services and local arts and voluntary sector organisations. 

The programme includes a range of music and dance performances, workshops and stands offering free activities and information about local services as well as a range of food stalls. York Health and Arts Mela is a family event appealing to all ages and ethnicities, with everyone welcome to come and enjoy the event in a relaxed atmosphere. 

The event is led by Cultural Connections York CIC and delivered in partnership with York Museums Trust.  The programme has been kindly supported by Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), Public Health, Nimbuscare, City of York Council, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the National Lottery Community Fund and York Unlocked. 

Cultural Connections York CIC, organises the event each year and is a passionate promoter of wellbeing across the city.  

The organisers said, “The Mela is for everyone to come and enjoy, to experience and share in a range of different cultures, try different food and listen to musical performances from groups that make up the diverse communities across York and North Yorkshire.”  

“Health and wellbeing are often first to be neglected when we get busy, and it is important to slow down, recognise our body’s needs and create time for rest and rejuvenation within a community space. Togetherness is so vitally important for people and sharing resources, cultures and a platform to encourage wellbeing is very important to myself and others all over the city.”  

“We are delighted to be sharing another festival in the heart of York and developing this network of empowered people taking ownership of their health and sharing their cultures.” 

A spokesperson from York Museums Trust commented, “It is a privilege to host the Mela again in the Museum Gardens, a space so many people come to for wellbeing throughout the year. This festival highlights the beauty of the Gardens as a green space in the heart of the city. Working with local communities is central to the work of York Museums Trust and it’s a pleasure to work in partnership with Cultural Connections York and other local organisations each year. We can’t wait to see all the amazing performances and try the food and activities on offer.” 

The event will take place in York Museum Gardens on 17 May 2026 from 10am until 5pm. The full programme is available here: https://culturalconnectionsyork.co.uk/york-health-arts-mela/