Best time to visit · York · United Kingdom
The best time to visit York
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kaly99, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best times to visit York are May, June and September, when the weather is mild, the walls and riverside are pleasant and crowds are lighter than in July and August. Late November and December are popular for the Christmas market but very busy at weekends, while January and March are quiet and good value.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–June and September
- Shoulder season
- March–April, July, October and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 22°C (72°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 7°C (45°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~11 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January and March
Seasons
York has a mild, relatively dry climate for England, sheltered by the Pennines to the west: cool winters with occasional frost and snow, mild summers and modest rainfall spread through the year. The Ouse can flood the riverside after heavy rain, usually in winter.
March–May
Spring
Daffodils on the wall banks, mild days and the start of the racing season, with busy Easter weekends.
June–August
Summer
Long, warm days, river cruises and race meetings, but the biggest crowds and highest prices, especially around the Ebor Festival.
September–November
Autumn
Mild September with the food festival, autumn colour in October and the Christmas market from mid-November.
December–February
Winter
Christmas markets and Minster carols in December, then cold, quiet weeks and the JORVIK Viking Festival in February.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C | 1°C | 11 | 7.9 h | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 8°C | 1°C | 9 | 9.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| March | 10°C | 2°C | 9 | 11.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 13°C | 4°C | 9 | 14 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 16°C | 7°C | 9 | 15.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 19°C | 10°C | 9 | 17.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 22°C | 12°C | 9 | 16.6 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 21°C | 12°C | 10 | 14.8 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 18°C | 10°C | 9 | 12.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 14°C | 7°C | 11 | 10.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 10°C | 4°C | 11 | 8.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| December | 7°C | 1°C | 11 | 7.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| February | JORVIK Viking Festival (usually mid to late February) |
| May | York Races Dante Festival (usually mid-May) |
| July | York Early Music Festival (usually July) |
| August | Ebor Festival — the biggest race meeting of the year at York Racecourse (usually mid to late August) |
| September | York Food and Drink Festival (usually late September) |
| November | York Christmas Market (usually mid-November to just before Christmas) |
| December | York Christmas Market continues (until shortly before Christmas) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January and March, and the sights are quietest in January.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit York?
The best times to visit York are May, June and September, when the weather is mild, the walls and riverside are pleasant and crowds are lighter than in July and August. Late November and December are popular for the Christmas market but very busy at weekends, while January and March are quiet and good value.
+When are hotel prices lowest in York?
Usually in January and March. Cold and frosty some mornings, but quiet; the Minster and museums are uncrowded and hotels at their lowest prices.
+What is the rainiest month in York?
January, with about 11 days of rain on average.
+How hot does York get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 22°C (72°F) and lows of 12°C (54°F).