Bridgerton night among York Georgian Festival highlights

York Georgian Festival is making a comeback for a third year with events spilling across five days for the first time since its launch in 2023.

As host of the festival which runs from Thursday 7 to Monday 11 August, York Mansion House will be opening its 300-year-old doors following restoration works to welcome back visitors.

York Mansion House will reopen its doors to welcome back visitors  (Image: Gareth Buddo)Bridgerton fans will be treated to a night of Regency-era music and re-imagined songs from the hit Netflix period drama as the Ebor Quartet performs ‘Sounds of Regency by Candlelight’ in the St Helen’s Square venue on Friday 8 August.  

Festival goers can also expect 18th century favourites from dance classes to gruesome tours with Mad Alice as well as Georgian ice cream making demonstrations.

Special guest, Horrible Histories historian Terry Deary, is returning to the annual festive to kick off proceedings, following the success of A History of Britain in Ten Enemies, to share a sneak peak of his follow-on book, Revolting.

Fairfax House will be hosting an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour with curator Dr Sarah Burnage, showing off areas of the house not normally open to visitors and providing access to some of the collections, including pieces of Georgian fashion, furniture, decorative arts, and paintings.

Festival goers will be able to learn more about Georgian fashion as part of the event (Image: Gareth Buddo) Holy Trinity Goodramgate will host a talk, An Intimate History: the life and loves of Anne Lister, exploring Lister’s history through the women she seduced, flirted with, fell in love with and lived with.

The festival programme takes in city venues including Fairfax House, Guildhall, Holy Trinity Goodramgate and York Medical Society among others.

The Regency Rejigged dancers promise to brighten St Helen’s Square with weekend dancing and onlookers are being invited to join in full costume as they promenade through York’s winding streets.

There’ll be weekend dancing and promenades through the streets (Image: Gareth Buddo) New features this year include a theatrical performance in the Merchant Taylor’s Hall, an immersive production exploring landscape, music and tales with Figures In The Landscape in the State Room of York Mansion House, and talks spanning all themes from the time period from Byron to Austen.

Sarah White, festival creator and organiser, said: “After an overwhelming response last year, we are delighted to announce the return of the incredibly popular York Georgian Ball at the Grand Assembly Rooms, with the support of ASK Italian and York Gin.”

The York Georgian Ball is being held in the Grand Assembly Rooms, now home to ASK Italian in Blake Street (Image: Gareth Buddo) 

The Grand Assembly Rooms, now home to ASK Italian restaurant in Blake Street, played host to dances and dinners in the 18th and 19th centuries. People will now be able to step back in time to enjoy a night to remember in this authentic setting on Saturday 9 August from 7pm.

Dressed in their finest, guests will enjoy a three-course meal, live music from Eboracum Baroque and be able to dance the night away with dance caller and instructor Lottie from Dance The Past.

For further festival details visit www.yorkgeorgianfestival.co.uk