Watch out – the ghosts are back!
Ghostly figures will once again be appearing across York’s streets and green spaces, as York Bid bring back the popular Ghosts in the Gardens from Friday 19 September to Sunday 2 November 2025.
Now in its fifth year, the free trail will feature 58 ethereal sculptures across historic sites in the city – with 10 brand-new ghosts for 2025.
New additions for this year include a haunting plague mask figure, a rider on a penny-farthing bicycle, and a shackled female prisoner.
Crafted in partnership with York-based creative team Unconventional Design, the translucent wire-mesh figures range from soldiers to monks, each one evoking a different layer of the city’s haunted past. The Ghosts in the Gardens trail remains free to enjoy, aiming to make it accessible to all.
Also new for 2025, York Bid are launching a brand-new evening experience – Ghosts: The Untold History, running from 5-9 November, from 6:30pm nightly.
Designed for audiences aged 15+, this small-group event invites participants to step into the past with a journey through one of York’s hidden gems to uncover the secrets hidden in the Snickleways and shadows. Visitors will hear previously untold stories of York’s ghosts in a uniquely atmospheric setting. Tickets will cost £5, with tickets and more information to be released soon.
Carl Alsop, operations manager at York BID, said: “Ghosts in the Gardens has become one of the city’s most loved traditions, attracting thousands of people to York each year.
“This year, we’re taking it a step further with Ghosts: The Untold History – an exciting new evening event that gives audiences a chance to dive deeper into the stories behind the spirits.
“With 58 ghostly figures, including 10 brand-new sculptures, 2025 promises to be our most haunting year yet.”
