Residents' festival stronger than ever in its 21st year

WHEN you turn 21, the traditional gift is the key to the door - but York Residents' Festival has been giving the city's residents the key to the attractions on their doorsteps for 21 years.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Jan 2016, 15:20 BST
Updated 26th Jan 2016, 15:24 BST
York Castle Museum's Denise Hamilton, Callum Curnin, Jess Munday and Philip Newton prepare for York Residents Festival this coming weekend.York Castle Museum's Denise Hamilton, Callum Curnin, Jess Munday and Philip Newton prepare for York Residents Festival this coming weekend.
York Castle Museum's Denise Hamilton, Callum Curnin, Jess Munday and Philip Newton prepare for York Residents Festival this coming weekend.

The annual festival takes place this weekend, with more than 70 attractions, restaurants and retailers giving one-off, behind-the-scenes access and discounts to people who live in York.

For the first time, the festival is also open to thousands of students studying in the city.

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Since its inception more than 300,000 free visits have been taken up by York residents, and 2015 was its biggest yet, with 40,000 visits - more than double the festival’s first year.

Beningbrough Hall is one of the venues taking part.Beningbrough Hall is one of the venues taking part.
Beningbrough Hall is one of the venues taking part.

Among the venues taking part are Beningbrough Hall, the Yorkshire Museum, and new for this year, York Army Museum.

Kate McMullen, of festival organisers Make It York, said: “When it was first set up our Residents Festival was unique in the country. Since then it has gone from strength to strength and we’ve expanded the programme each year to include not only free entry to our world-class attractions but also a range of shopping and restaurant offers.”

All offers can be found at www.visityork.org

Related topics:ResidentsYork