Next weekend 27 and 28 January, York residents will be able to visit our museum for FREE as part of the fantastic York Residents' Festival! Just bring proof of your city residency to explore some exceptional artefacts telling the history of York and its people. #ResFest18

It's great to have the York Archaeological Trust team with us this week doing vital conservation work to our stunning Roman mosaic. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our visitors, but it is a great opportunity to see conservation work in action!

Can you imagine finding this with a metal detector? The incredible Vale of York Hoard comprises of 67 objects and 617 coins in total. It's currently on tour as part of our 'Viking: Rediscover the Legend' exhibition in partnership with the British Museum - don't miss your chance to see it! www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/exhibition/viking-rediscover-the-legend

As the Big Garden Birdwatch takes place in the York Museum Gardens, join us inside the museum for bird-related craft activities. Create and decorate a beautiful hanging bird which you can either take home or add to our winter tree display in the museum foyer. The activity is available 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm both days. Free with admission, no need to book. York residents can visit York Castle Museum, York Art Gallery and the Yorkshire Museum for FREE on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 January 2018. To claim free entry on either of these dates, please bring a valid YorkCard, Council Tax Bill or a York student card as proof of residency. Under 17s always go free at all of our sites.

The Big Garden Birdwatch is fun, free, really easy, and only takes an hour. If you love birds and want to help them, then this is your chance to do something that really counts. Come along to the York Museum Gardens to meet the RSPB and to take part. On Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th January, the sightings will be recorded on a board at ‘basecamp’, and clipboards and pencils are provided. We’ll have tick-sheets available for anyone who wants to go off and birdwatch by themselves and Garden Guides will be on hand with tips on where to find different species. On Saturday 27th there will be guided bird spotting walks at 10.30am, 12.00pm and 1.30pm, each lasting an hour. Free, no need to book. This event is part of the Residents’ Festival 2018. York residents can visit York Castle Museum, York Art Gallery and the Yorkshire Museum for FREE on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 January 2018. To claim free entry on either of these dates, please bring a valid YorkCard, Council Tax Bill or a York student card as proof of residency. Under 17s always go free at all of our sites.

Planning a trip to York this year? Or maybe you're a local looking for some great days out? Take a look at the latest Visit York guide to the city for some inspiration! You can find out more about our museum, too, including new exhibitions and events to enjoy.

We are VERY excited to watch this on Sunday! National treasure Sir David Attenborough discovers the mystery of an incredible 200-million-year-old fossil - the bones of an ichthyosaur, a giant sea dragon. Our very own ichthyosaur will be one of the stars of our upcoming exhibition opening 24 March 2018, along with a host of fascinating Jurassic finds and ground-breaking digital technology. www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/exhibition/yorkshires-jurassic-world

We're now closed for New Year and will reopen from 10am on 2 January. Thank you to all of our visitors for a fantastic year - make sure to join us in 2018 to discover more about local history, including our new Jurassic Yorkshire exhibition opening in March. www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/exhibition/yorkshires-jurassic-world

A quick reminder of our opening hours this weekend for those of you in need of a fun-filled family-friendly day out! 30 December: 10am - 5pm 31 December: 10am - 2.30pm 1 January: CLOSED

Did you visit our fantastic Eboracum Roman Festival earlier this year? We're delighted that the event has been nominated for 'Best festival for kids 2018' by Little Vikings - York for kids! If you'd like to help us win then please make sure to vote for us online before the deadline this Sunday: little-vikings.co.uk/awards

Have a change of scene and visit our family-friendly museum with fascinating exhibitions to explore, including a new display of Medieval marvels. Our opening times for this week are: 27 - 30 December: 10am - 5pm 31 December: 10am - 2.30pm 1 January: CLOSED

We're now closed for the festive season, reopening on 27 December - ideal for a family-friendly adventure! Have a very merry Christmas. 25 December: CLOSED 26 December: CLOSED 27 - 30 December: 10am - 5pm 31 December: 10am - 2.30pm 1 January: CLOSED