Programme: Thursday 2 July 2026
The opening day of the Festival includes workshops on laughter yoga and memoir writing, Tai Chi in the open air, performances, talks, with activities running into the evening.
Please keep a note of the things you book as the u3a organising team will not have your individual programme when you arrive.
The below activities are available to Festival Ticket Holders only. Please only book if you have a Festival ticket for Thursday.
Morning events
Laughter yoga
9 - 10am
You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing. "The most fun possible in any u3a group," said one participant.
Shinrin-yoku
9 - 11.30am
Want to find out more about Shinrin-yoku? Then join me for a ‘nature immersive experience’, in which you will learn some of the health benefits of this practice.
AI is here, experience using AI
9 - 11am
This is a workshop where attendees, using their own tablet or laptop, will learn how to use Generative AI such as ChatGPT.
Tour of the Museum Gardens
9 - 11am
Join Paul for a relaxed wander through the beautiful Museum Gardens in York. Over the course of about an hour, you will uncover the stories hidden in the landscape—from Roman remains to 19th-century architecture.
The AI flight instructor
9 - 10.30am
This presentation involves participation, with members of the audience engaging ‘Freddy the Flight Instructor’.
Memoir writing
9 - 11am
Interactive workshop. Do you have memories to share? Do you want to leave your story for future generations to read?
The changing face of retirement
9.30 - 11am
Join us for a discussion and some practical ideas about fashion, beauty, and how we can stay fitter for longer.
No need to book
Street photography
9.30 - 11am
In this presentation, I will go through my approach to street photography. I will discuss how I saw each image, why the image works for me, and what I think the image is about.
No need to book
Walking cricket tournament
9.30 - 5.30pm
Come and watch the walking cricket tournament, which will take place on the 20-acre cricket field.
No need to book
De-stress your life and let the sun shine in
9.30 - 11.00am
Introduce into your daily life a few simple but extremely powerful techniques. They help you live in a virtually ‘stress-free’ zone.
Jewellery making
9.30 - 11.30am
A workshop to learn how to use basic jewellery-making tools to create various decorative and wearable items.
Painting for beginners
9.30 - 12pm
For those who think they can’t paint, come and surprise yourself—you can when you are shown how.
Pickleball 4
9.30 - 10.30am
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Please come and join us and give it a try.
Table tennis 1
9.30 - 11.30am
Come and try the table tennis session. You can play doubles or singles— all welcome.
Cracking cryptic crosswords
10 - 11am
The session will include a presentation on how to identify the most common types of clues, with examples.
Duplicate bridge tournament
10 - 12pm
Short, relaxed duplicate bridge tournament for experienced bridge players of any ability. No need to have a partner; I will pair you up.
Running 2
10-11am
Come and join this outdoor running session. Running is a great way to improve your mental and physical wellbeing.
Short green bowls 3
10 - 11am
The third of eight short green bowls sessions across the festival.
Handbell workshop
10.15 - 11.15am
This workshop is a “have a go” taster session for complete beginners. No prior knowledge of music theory is required.
Tai chi qigong
10 - 10.30am
Join us for a half hour of health-promoting exercise that increases well-being, balance, and mobility and decreases stress. Get your day off to a good start in the open air.
No need to book
Petanque 2
10.30 - 12.30pm
Pétanque is a popular French boules sport. Please come and join us to try this fun session! There are more sessions on Wednesday and Friday.
Morris mumming and all that
10.45 - 11.45am
Take a one-hour trip from the 900s to a week last Wednesday. See how English traditions are alive and embedded in your everyday life.
Men who challenge misogyny
11 - 12pm
This workshop will look at ways we can prevent male violence towards women and what men are doing to challenge misogyny.
No need to book
Pickleball 5
11 - 12pm
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Please come and join us and give it a try.
Steelpantastic
11 - 12pm
Steel rhythms: ABBA, Beatles & Caribbean vibes
Feel the sunshine as our steel drum band brings a lively mix of ABBA hits, Beatles favourites, and Caribbean classics.
No need to book
Short green bowls 4
11.30-12.30pm
The fourth of eight short green bowls sessions across the festival.
Mathematical puzzling
11.30-1pm
Whether your maths skills are rusty or polished, join us for this fun session where we will solve a range of maths problems together.
Singing for fun
11.30 - 1pm
Featuring ABBA, plus a measure of Beatles, and a hint of Neil Diamond. A recipe for a really good singalong. Come and join us.
No need to book
Group visit to York Chocolate Story
11 - 1 pm
Explore the fascinating history of York’s most famous chocolate-making families and their finest creations on an entertaining guided tour.
Please note there is a charge of £16.50 (including booking fee) per person for this event.
Growing the individual
11.15 - 12.15pm
The talk explores issues relating to the extent to which our memories provide a valid and fixed view of our past.
The sound of Welsh
11.15 - 12.15pm
This session will introduce the sounds and cadences of the Welsh language through songs and poetry.
Script reading
11.15 - 1.15pm
We will sight-read some short scripts, many of them amusing, others more dramatic. Please bring your specs if you need them.
Wine appreciation
11.15 - 12.45pm
We will be tasting seven wines from around the world, specifically from France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Australia, Uruguay, and Chile.
Jazz workshop
11.30 - 1.30pm
This is an activity for musicians who can read music but may not have improvised before. All wind or stringed instruments are welcome.
Programming the BBC micro:bit
11.45 - 1.45pm
Learn how to program the BBC micro:bit, an example of the devices that act as the mind of your microwave, washing machine, etc.
Board drop-in
9 - 10am
We invite u3a members to join the Trust CEO and representatives from the Board and Council for an informal chat to share your views, help inform future plans, and strengthen the connection between the Trust and u3as.
Afternoon events
Through the looking glass
12 - 1pm
Tips for researching for writers. How do you build a believable world for your reader?
No need to book
Staying safe online
12.15 - 1.45pm
Friendly, practical and jargon-free, this talk will help you spot scams, dodge digital nasties, and feel a lot more confident clicking the right things (and ignoring the wrong ones!).
No need to book
Running in the third age
12.15 - 1.15pm
York Minster outing
12.30 - 2.30pm
Explore one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals. Experience breathtaking medieval architecture, discover our Roman roots, and learn about the Minster’s role in Viking York.
Please note there is a charge of £17 per person for this event.
Silver shimmy dancercise
12.30 - 1.30pm
Slow stitching: beside the sea
12.30 - 2.30pm
A practical introduction to the mindful craft of slow stitching. Beginners welcome.
Introduction to improv
1 - 3pm
Pickleball 6
1 - 2pm
Table tennis 2
1 - 3pm
Walking netball 1
1 - 2pm
Come and try walking netball and book in for the session and demonstration.
Growing the social mind
1.30 - 2.30pm
Modern board games
1.30 - 3.30pm
Petanque 3
1.30 - 4.30pm
The York ukulele play and singalong
1.30 - 3.30pm
No need to book
Why does climate matter?
1.30 - 3pm
Rembrandt: a mirror to the soul
1.30 - 4pm
No need to book
Music making workshop
1.45 - 3.45pm
A walk through time
2 - 3.30pm
Futurology: the view from 1970
2 - 3.30pm
No need to book
Recording playing across the u3a
2 - 3pm
Short green bowls 5
2 - 3pm
Walking netball 2
2 - 3pm
Recorders
2.15-3.15pm
No need to book
Tour of the STEM Learning Centre
2.30 - 3.30pm
A dip into line dancing
2.30 - 4pm
How to be happier
2.45 -3.45pm
Make a flower corsage
2.45-4.45
Pickleball 7
3 - 4pm
Walking netball 3
3 - 4pm
Come and try walking netball and book in for the session and demonstration.
Extending XR: 3D scanning and animation workshop
3.30 - 4.30pm
Table tennis 3
3.30 - 5.30pm
Short green bowls 6
3.30-4.30pm
The sixth of eight short green bowls sessions across the festival.
Singing for fun
3.45 - 4.45pm
No need to book
Recorders
3.45 - 4.45pm
Sit back and enjoy a selection of popular tunes played by our friendly recorder ensemble.
No need to book
Convicts & settlers - the people who built Australia
4 - 5pm
No need to book
Wine appreciation
4 - 5.30pm
Mindful movement and stretch - Session 2
4 - 5.30 pm
Painting for beginners
4 - 6.30pm
Life drawing with Simon Coombe
4 - 6pm
AI is here, experience using AI
4.30 - 6pm
This is a workshop where attendees using their own tablet or laptop will learn how to use Generative AI such as Chat GPT.
Modern jive with Barb & Vince
4.30 - 5.30pm
All about Italy
4.30 - 6pm
Pickleball 8
4- 5pm
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping‑pong. Please come and join us and give it a try.
Evening events
The funny side of writing
5 - 6pm
Patrick Forsyth looks at the joys and challenges of writing, and the creative process behind it.
No need to book
Wind down and sing
5 - 6pm
Join us for a relaxed, feel-good singalong. No experience needed and no sheet music to read — just come along and enjoy.
No need to book
Laughter is the best medicine
5.15 - 6.15pm
Everyday things that happen, are written or are said that are not intended to be humorous but later can be seen as comedic.
No need to book
Chair yoga
5.30 - 6.30pm
Practising yoga breathing and adapted postures whilst seated/using chair (standing) to aid balance strengthening movements.
Foraging for foliage
5.30 - 6.30pm
Grab a bucket and some scissors and let's set off and collect the foliage to make up tomorrow's foam free flower arrangement.
Music and magic
6 - 8pm
Enjoy an evening of relaxing piano music along with some fabulous magic tricks with Bob Pullen.
No need to book
Open Mic session
7 - 9pm
Social Rummikub
7.30 - 9.30pm
Games evening
7.30 - 9.30pm
A little jazzy
8 - 9pm
No need to book
Festival quiz
8 - 10pm
No need to book
Don't fret
8 - 10pm
No need to book
Juke box jury
8 - 10pm
No need to book