Programme: Thursday 2 July 2026
The second 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
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.
Laughter yoga
9 - 10am
Join us for this gentle aerobic exercise which benefits your health and makes you feel good.
Sold out
Shinrin-yoku
9 - 11.30am
Want to find out more about Shinrin Yoku, also known as 'forest bathing'? Join this nature immersive experience in which you will learn some of the health benefits of this practice.
Sold out
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.
Sold out
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.
Sold out
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?
Sold out
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
This presentation will explore the leader's approach to street photography, discussing different images, what they show and why they are impactful.
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.
Sold out
Painting for beginners
9.30 - 12pm
For those who think they can't paint, come and surprise yourself in this workshop that will encourage you to embrace your creativity.
Sold out
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.
Sold out
Table tennis 1
9.30 - 11.30am
Come and try the table tennis session. You can play doubles or singles— all welcome.
Sold out
Cracking cryptic crosswords
10 - 11am
The session will include a presentation on how to identify the most common types of clues, with examples.
Sold out
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 Lawn Bowls 3
10 - 11am
The third of eight short lawn bowls sessions across the festival.
Sold out
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.
Exercise for all
10.15 - 11.15am
This session is suitable for men and women, it will help tone your muscles, improve your flexibility, help your balance and more.
Tai chi Qigong
10 - 10.30am
Get your day off to a good start in the open air. This health-promoting exercise increases well-being, balance and mobility, and decreases stress.
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.
Sold out
Morris mumming and all that
10.45 - 11.45am
This talk explores English traditions, including those that are alive and embedded in your everyday life.
Sold out
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.
Sold out
Music performance: Steelpantastic
11 - 12pm
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 Lawn Bowls 4
11.30-12.30pm
The fourth of eight short lawn bowls sessions across the festival.
Sold out
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.
Music performance: 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 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.
Sold out
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.
Sold out
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 - session 2
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.
Session 1 takes place on Wednesday at 2.15pm. Participants must book for both sessions.
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
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 while learning about York's Roman roots and the Minster’s role in Viking York.
Please note there is a charge of £17 per person for this event.
Sold out
Silver shimmy dancercise
12.30 - 1.30pm
Sold out
Slow stitching: beside the sea
12.30 - 2.30pm
A practical introduction to the mindful craft of slow stitching. Beginners welcome.
Sold out
Introduction to improv
1 - 3pm
Pickleball 6
1 - 2pm
Sold out
Table tennis 2
1 - 3pm
Sold out
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
Informal visit to Goddards
1.30 - 3.30pm
Please join us in this informal visit to Goddards on the outskirts of York. Discover five acres of gardens.
Members will meet and share taxis. We will contact you with travel information once you have reserved your place.
£9.00 entry without Gift Aid payable at the gardens on arrival.
Modern board games
1.30 - 3.30pm
Petanque 3
1.30 - 4.30pm
Sold out
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 - 3pm
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
Recorder playing across the u3a
2 - 3pm
Short Lawn Bowls 5
2 - 3pm
Sold out
Walking netball 2
2 - 3pm
Music performance: 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
Sold out
Make a flower corsage
2.45-4.45
Pickleball 7
3 - 4pm
Sold out
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
Sold out
Table tennis 3
3.30 - 5.30pm
Sold out
Short Lawn Bowls 6
3.30-4.30pm
The sixth of eight short lawn bowls sessions across the festival.
Sold out
Singing for fun
3.45 - 4.45pm
No need to book
Music performance: 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
Sold out
Mindful movement and stretch - Session 2
4 - 5.30pm
Sold out
Painting for beginners
4 - 6.30pm
Sold out
Life drawing with Simon Coombe
4 - 6pm
Sold out
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.
Sold out
Modern jive with Barb & Vince
4.30 - 5.30pm
Sold out
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.
Sold out
Evening events
The Flower Gate Singers
5 - 5.30pm
Singing a mix of songs we love, including, vintage pop (60s favourites and more), songs from shows, and traditional folk tunes
The choir has performed at a variety of events, including MusicFest 2023 for the Yorkshire and Humber Region and we are looking forward to performing in York again at the Festival this summer.
No need to book
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.
Sold out
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.
Please only book if you have also booked for Friday's No Foam Flower Arranging session.
Music performance: 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
Sold out
Music performance: A little jazzy
8 - 9pm
No need to book
Festival quiz
8 - 10pm
No need to book
Music performance: Don't fret
8 - 10pm
No need to book
Juke box jury
8 - 10pm
No need to book