u3a - u3a Festival 2026

Book your place at u3a Festival 26

Join us for u3a Festival 26, taking place at the University of York between 1-3 July, for a celebration of fun, learning and the community that makes u3a so special.

Explore an existing interest or take the leap and try something completely new in member-led workshops and sessions. Surrounded by other members, you will have opportunities to move your body, be creative and explore new ideas.

The University of York has a beautiful campus with green spaces and a lake, fantastic sports facilities, lecture halls, and workshop rooms – the perfect backdrop for three days of inspiration and learning. There’s on-site accommodation available too so you can go straight from breakfast to your first workshop.

Tickets cost £18 a day, or £50 for a three-day ticket. The festival starts at 11am on Wednesday 1 July and ends at 3pm on Friday 3 July.

We’ll be sharing the full programme soon but here’s a taste of what’s in store.

Festival events preview

Please note, as sessions are volunteer-led, activities may be subject to change.

Music and entertainment

Kelfolk (folk music)
An evening jazz session
Ozukes ukelele band
Popular music with the guitar group
Juke Box Jury
An evening ceilidh
The great big music quiz

Sport and exercise

Laughter yoga
Petanque
Badminton
Croquet
Tennis
Pickleball
Dance Exercise
Mindful music and stretch

Talks and walks

Egyptology
Astronomy
The Tapestry’s Whisper – explore how the medieval masterpiece that is the Bayeux Tapestry speaks volumes
The King’s Nephews, Life after Death? – Examining new evidence for the survival of the Princes in the Tower
The fascinating history of shoes
The Snickleways of York; Scoundrels and tales of highwaymen…

Workshops and hands on sessions

Make a macrame keyring
Beginners’ jewellery making
Creative writing
Play reading
Mathematical puzzling
Try out improv
Drawing a charcoal portrait
Duplicate bridge
Programming the BBC: microbit
Ham radio demonstration
Making music
Rusty voices – for those who used to sing or have never sung, a chance to get the vocal chords tuned up!

Book your Festival tickets

Book on-site accommodation at the University of York

We can’t wait to welcome you.

If you’d like to be involved in volunteering at the Festival by leading a workshop or being a steward, please get in touch by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Festival FAQs