What's On

Family

Playscapes

Create, climb, play and build!

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is Play

Family

Giant Marble Run!

Help to build and wind a giant run for our oversized marbles, then see if you can get it to roll all the way to the bottom.

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is Play

Workshops

Sanctuary of the Hopeful Sun

Meet radical changemakers making a difference in York and discover how we can all play a part in building the future today.

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here Is Hope

Workshops

Bike Repair Workshop: Recycle York

Look after your bike, and your bike will look after you. Pop along to reCycle York for a FREE bike service this weekend!

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here Is Hope

Theatre & Performance

Eternal Optimists

Come and meet the eternal optimists Albert and Millie, who live in a radically transformed York in the year 2125 where the Tansy Beetle is the guardian of the planet.

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is the Future

Family

Sign of the Times

Come and share your thoughts and ideas on a creating a hopeful future. Take a moment to write your pledge or message, then add it to this colourful installation!

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is the Future

Workshops

Print Room Party: Make Your Own Merch!

Inky fingers, not fast fashion! Join Mek Summat in the Print Room and make your own festival merch.

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is Action

Workshops

St Nicks: The Green Heart of York Workshops

Come along and learn about pollinating insects and the nature around us, and try willow weaving and slow floristry.

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Mindful Rock Balancing

A family friendly workshop which combines the fun, interactive practice of rock stacking, along with the challenge and art of mindfulness!

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Everything you ever wanted to know about COMPOST!

Top rotter 'Compost John' brings his recycling know how to help you start your composting endeavours. Including free samples - bring a container.

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Future York: Young People's Hopes and Dreams for the Future

How can we make York a better place to live for young people? Join us as we use arts-based methods (collage, zine making) to design a Future York, and to envision what our community can become.

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Print Poetry with Little Hirundine Micro Press

Come and have a go at printing a letterpress poem! Be part of a poetry experiment and watch our collaborative poem unfold on a historic Adana press.

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Preserve Making Workshop

Come and see how to preserve seasonal homegrown fruit and veg. Book at the workshop area!

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Sanctuary of the Hopeful Sun: Civic Square

Curated by Civic Square, hear practitioners and neighbourhoods share their bold visions for futures of thriving in balance through a series workshops and micro talks.

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here Is Hope

Workshops

Sanctuary of the Hopeful Sun: YoCo

York Central Co-Owned (YoCo) project asks what would make a vibrant, inclusive neighbourhood on York Central – or indeed anywhere else.

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here Is Hope

Workshops

Sanctuary of the Hopeful Sun: YorSpace - The people's property: dreaming up community ownership

Join YorSpace for a family-friendly, playful workshop imagining your dream home, pub, green space, and highstreet in York. You might even pitch your idea as YorSpace’s next exciting project!

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here Is Hope

Workshops

Sanctuary of the Hopeful Sun: Threads in the Ground

Join Threads in the Ground at the Sanctuary of the Hopeful Sun all weekend, they will be exploring future food systems and the superpowers of fungi!

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here Is Hope

Workshops

Living Lab: Future Community

Help staff and students from the York St John Living Lab to create the perfect, climate-resilient, community space. Explore our own experiments in positive futures and bring your craft, words and ears to create a bit of the future.

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Edible York - activities and inspiration

Sow seeds, build a bug hotel and learn about our Abundance project.

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Hands-on Workshops

Get stuck into a range of hands-on workshops. Learn how to make jam, screenprint your old t-shirt, whittle a spoon, compost your food waste, repair your clothes, service your bike, create a terrarium, and more!

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Living Lab: Crafting Activities & Sewing Repair Cafe

Guided crafting and sewing repair cafe from York St John Living Lab.

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is Action

Music

KiLNE

Dialling up the energy across the weekend is KiLNE. Expect brass, drums and rhythm that is sure to get you moving!

All day, Saturday 5th July

Here is Music

Workshops

Yoga for Liberation

Join the Teapot Collective for a morning of gentle, accessible chair or mat-based asana yoga.

10:15, Saturday 5th July

Here Is Hope

Music

Ray Aggs

Enjoy a performance from Ray Aggs, one of Scotland's most celebrated underground musicians.

11:00, Saturday 5th July

Here is Music

Conversations & Storytelling

Proud Gypsy Traveller: The Atchin Tan (Stopping Place)

This session invites you into the textures of Gypsy and Traveller life and land practice - through poetry, song, storytelling, and conversation.

11:00, Saturday 5th July

Here is Conversation

Theatre & Performance

TRUTH!

Be transported into a mission to disrupt the norm with this unique troop of performers! Expect a playful performance with excitement and a joyful riot of love!

11:00, Saturday 5th July

Here Is Hope

Workshops

Your Park. Reimagined

A legacy of the Homestead Park Festival will be a new community structure in the park. We’ll be gathering your thoughts and hopes for what a new structure could be, and what you might use it for.

11:00, Saturday 5th July

Here is Play

Talks

What can we learn from trees and the shape of time?

What can trees teach us about time, care, and legacy? In an era marked by urgency and short-termism, this panel invites us to slow down and listen to the wisdom of the forest.

11:45, Saturday 5th July

Here Is Hope

Conversations & Storytelling

YorSpace: Lunch with Lowfield Green Housing Co-operative

Join YorSpace for 'Lunch with Lowfield Green Housing Co-operative' and find out what it’s like to design and build homes as a community

12:00, Saturday 5th July

Here Is Hope

Music

Jess Gardham

Award winning singer-song writer, Jess Gardham brings her soaring vocals to Homestead Park, be transported by her unique style and soulful music.

12:30, Saturday 5th July

Here is Music

Workshops

Chanting in Community

Connect with each other through sound and vibration in this chanting workshop from the Teapot Collective.

13:15, Saturday 5th July

Here Is Hope

Conversations & Storytelling

Proud Gypsy Traveller: Practising Kinship with Land

A celebration of traditional Gypsy Traveller crafts and tools. Meet a horse farrier, explore a Living wagon, and sing folk songs together.

13:30, Saturday 5th July

Here is Conversation

Talks

Can a park be a portal into the future?

How can Homestead Park evolve to meet the challenges of our times? The fertile grounds of this park are ready for the seeds of new ideas! - British Sign Language Interpreted -

13:30, Saturday 5th July

Here Is Hope

Music

Séamus Óg

Contemporary folk music with irish roots

14:30, Saturday 5th July

Here is Music

Talks

From practice to rehearsal - How do dreams translate into action?

Sophia Parker hosts a conversation between Amahra Spence and Immy Kaur - longtime co-conspirers and founders of MAIA, Hood Futures Studio and Civic Square respectively - to reflect on over a decade of shared work. - British Sign Language Interpreted -

15:15, Saturday 5th July

Here Is Hope

Talks

Proud Gypsy Traveller: If the Gorja Act Was Gone

What if Gypsy Traveller ways of life had never been criminalised? Violet Canon reflects on what it means to live freely, outside of imposed norms and laws.

16:00, Saturday 5th July

Here is Conversation

Music

Benedict Hawkin

Distinctive traditional folk meets experimental rock!

16:15, Saturday 5th July

Here is Music

Talks

Staying Sane in an overwhelming world - what’s the good news?

In a time marked by mounting injustice, political instability, and daily headlines that weigh heavy. What if our emotional responses weren’t weaknesses to overcome, but signals guiding us toward what really matters?

17:00, Saturday 5th July

Here Is Hope

Family

Playscapes

Create, climb, play and build!

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here is Play

Family

Giant Marble Run!

Help to build and wind a giant run for our oversized marbles, then see if you can get it to roll all the way to the bottom.

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here is Play

Theatre & Performance

Wild Beasts of Silly!

Keep your eyes peeled for these elusive creatures as they meander through the crowds! These chaos bringers will have you shaking your worries away, with a pocket full of stupidity, these beasts welcome all into the wonderful carelessness of acting foolish.

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here is Play

Workshops

Sanctuary of the Hopeful Sun

Meet radical changemakers making a difference in York and discover how we can all play a part in building the future today.

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here Is Hope

Workshops

Bike Repair Workshop: Recycle York

Look after your bike, and your bike will look after you. Pop along to reCycle York for a FREE bike service this weekend!

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here Is Hope

Theatre & Performance

Eternal Optimists

Come and meet the eternal optimists Albert and Millie, who live in a radically transformed York in the year 2125 where the Tansy Beetle is the guardian of the planet.

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here is the Future

Family

Sign of the Times

Come and share your thoughts and ideas on a creating a hopeful future. Take a moment to write your pledge or message, then add it to this colourful installation!

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here is the Future

Workshops

Creative writing workshops

Come and construct a future through creative writing.

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Print Room Party: Make Your Own Merch!

Inky fingers, not fast fashion! Join Mek Summat in the Print Room and make your own festival merch.

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here is Action

Family

Cardboard City

Join us to create a world out of cardboard! Imagine your perfect city, then build it! Fancy your own apartment building? A zoo?! Drop by and contribute to our dream city.

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here is Action

Thrive Outside

Learn to use simple hand tools and natural materials to make and take home your own unique creation.

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Everything you ever wanted to know about COMPOST!

Top rotter 'Compost John' brings his recycling know how to help you start your composting endeavours. Including free samples - bring a container.

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Preserve Making Workshop

Come and see how to preserve seasonal homegrown fruit and veg. Book at the workshop area!

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Sanctuary of the Hopeful Sun: Civic Square

Curated by Civic Square, hear practitioners and neighbourhoods share their bold visions for futures of thriving in balance through a series workshops and micro talks.

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here Is Hope

Workshops

Sanctuary of the Hopeful Sun: YoCo

York Central Co-Owned (YoCo) project asks what would make a vibrant, inclusive neighbourhood on York Central – or indeed anywhere else.

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here Is Hope

Workshops

Sanctuary of the Hopeful Sun: YorSpace - The people's property: dreaming up community ownership

Join YorSpace for a family-friendly, playful workshop imagining your dream home, pub, green space, and highstreet in York. You might even pitch your idea as YorSpace’s next exciting project!

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here Is Hope

Workshops

Sanctuary of the Hopeful Sun: Threads in the Ground

Join Threads in the Ground at the Sanctuary of the Hopeful Sun all weekend, they will be exploring future food systems and the superpowers of fungi!

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here Is Hope

Family

Make Space - Creative Activities

Girls' use of parks drops as they enter teenage years - let's change that! Drop in sessions and workshops.

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Hands-on Workshops

Get stuck into a range of hands-on workshops. Learn how to make jam, screenprint your old t-shirt, whittle a spoon, compost your food waste, repair your clothes, service your bike, create a terrarium, and more!

All day, Sunday 6th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Let's Play with Theatre of Connections

Enjoy a story-filled drama workshop made for everyone - all ages welcome!

10:00, Sunday 6th July

Here Is Hope

Music

Maxim Yarushkin

Witness the extraordinary talent of Maxim Yarushkin, a master of fingerstyle guitar who single-handedly transforms his instrument into an entire band!

11:00, Sunday 6th July

Here is Music

Workshops

Mossarium Workshop

Come and make a mossy landscape with York Terrariums.

11:00, Sunday 6th July

Here is Action

Workshops

Your Park. Reimagined

A legacy of the Homestead Park Festival will be a new community structure in the park. We’ll be gathering your thoughts and hopes for what a new structure could be, and what you might use it for.

11:00, Sunday 6th July

Here is Play

Theatre & Performance

TRUTH!

Be transported into a mission to disrupt the norm with this unique troop of performers! Expect a playful performance with excitement and a joyful riot of love!

11:15, Sunday 6th July

Here Is Hope

Talks

Land and Nature: A diverse cultural connection

In conversation with Evie Muir.

11:45, Sunday 6th July

Here is Conversation

Talks

The Antidote for Overwhelm: Matt Golding

In an age of constant crisis and doom scrolling, what if the stories we told made us feel more powerful-not more paralysed? In this session, Matt Golding from Rubber Republic’s Antitode project, invites us to explore the radical power of hope-driven storytelling.

11:45, Sunday 6th July

Here Is Hope

Music

Edwina Hayes

Unique blends of folk and americana, Edwina brings her distinctive sounds to Homestead Park.

12:30, Sunday 6th July

Here is Music

Music

Back Chat Brass

Dance and move to brassy beats and hip hop vibes!

13:00, Sunday 6th July

Here is Music

Conversations & Storytelling

Proud Gypsy Traveller: Practising Kinship with Land

A celebration of traditional Gypsy Traveller crafts, tools, and ways of living.

13:00, Sunday 6th July

Here is Conversation

Talks

Play as a tool to unlock imagination - who gets to play and imagine?

When did we stop playing - and what did we lose when we did? In a world weighed down by crisis and urgency, this session makes the case for play not as escape, but as an essential tool. Play is a gateway to imagination, creativity, and resistance - and we ask: who has permission to play? - British Sign Language Interpreted -

13:30, Sunday 6th July

Here Is Hope

Music

Greg Surmacz

Greg's critically acclaimed work masterfully integrates electronic music with woodwind arrangements

14:30, Sunday 6th July

Here is Music

Conversations & Storytelling

Proud Gypsy Traveller: Leaving No Trace

Take down the bender tent in a ritual of respecting the land.

15:00, Sunday 6th July

Here is Conversation

Talks

Anab Jain: Rewilding the Imagination

Co-founder and Director of Superflux, Anab Jain's talk invites us to build the strength necessary for facing contemporary challenges, exploring how our imaginations can serve as infrastructure to shape liveable and interconnected futures. - British Sign Language Interpreted -

15:15, Sunday 6th July

Here Is Hope

Music

Hyde Family Jam

Come and experience an unforgettable performance - their vibrant sound turns every gig into an infectious party, guaranteed to get you moving!

16:15, Sunday 6th July

Here is Music

Talks

Sanctuary of the Hopeful Sun sunset discussion - Weaving the threads towards York’s future

Join us for a cosy closing circle to gather your ideas from the weekend. Bring a blanket, a cuppa, and your hopes for York’s future. There’ll be space for all to share their reflections - on land, neighbourhoods, ownership, and more, as we imagine what comes next, together.

16:30, Sunday 6th July

Here Is Hope