Dates: Saturday 18 July 2026–Sunday 6 September 2026, 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Draw and Discover 
Daily 
10am – 4.30pm 
Included in general admission 
Suitable for all ages  

Discover our new Draw and Discover station, where budding artists can collect materials to draw and sketch with during their visit, using the artwork on display as inspiration for their own masterpieces.  

Collect materials from the foyer and get creative!

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Dates: Saturday 18 July 2026–Sunday 6 September 2026, 11:00 am-2:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Art Shot Talks 
Daily 
11am and 2pm 
Included in general admission  

Join a member of our Visitor Experience team for a short, insightful talk on their favourite artwork from the collection.  

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Date: Saturday 29 August 2026, 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Face Painting
Saturday 29 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.

Children under 16 will need permission to be painted from their parent, guardian or carer and must be accompanied.

 This session takes place outdoors, directly behind York Art Gallery.

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Date: Saturday 29 August 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Ippuku Tea Stand
Saturday 29 August 2026
10am – 5pm
Free
Suitable for all ages

Specialists in Japanese tea since 2013, the Ippuku Tea House will be sharing samples of teas, explaining the varieties and differences between Japanese teas. Retail tea will available to purchase. 

Ippuku Tea House is a local café, based on Blake Street, near York Art Gallery.

The stand is located in the Artists’ Garden, directly behind York Art Gallery.

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Date: Saturday 29 August 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

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 Art Gallery.

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Date: Saturday 29 August 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Koto Japanese Harp Music Performances
Saturday 29 August 2026
Performances throughout the day | 10am, 11.20am, 12.40pm, 2pm and 3.15pm
Free 
Suitable for all ages  

Koto music will fill the air at York Art Gallery with live performances throughout the day by Koto musician, Michael. Experience the calming distinctive sounds of the Koto, a traditional Japanese harp with a rich musical heritage, as its delicate melodies fill the foyer.

This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy an atmospheric and relaxing performance during your visit. Following each performance, there’ll be a chance to learn more about the instrument and have a go yourself!

General admission is not required to enjoy the musical performances in the foyer, however, tickets must be purchased at the admissions desk to explore the exhibition and galleries.

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Date: Saturday 29 August 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

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. 

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Dates: Saturday 29 August 2026–Sunday 30 August 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Open Studio: Make and Play
Every Saturday and Sunday from 18 July – 6 September  except 25 July and 8 August 2026
10am – 4pm
Included in general admission 
Suitable for all ages  

Discover family friendly stamp and ink activities inspired by the Making Waves: The Art of Woodblock Print exhibition in The Studio. Experiment, collaborate and create! 

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Date: Saturday 29 August 2026, 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Paddle in the Surf: Mokuhanga Printmaking 
Saturday 29 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 ink and authentic materials to take home with you.   

*Workshop tickets do not include general admission to York Art Gallery.  This session takes place outdoors (weather permitting), in the Artists’ Garden directly behind York Art Gallery.

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Date: Saturday 29 August 2026, 10:30 am-4:30 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

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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