The Wizard of York: Bringing magic and wizardry to York’s streets in May. Picture: The Story of You
PHOENIX the Red, The Wizard of York is to host his second WizardFest from May 23 to 25.
York’s official Festival of Wizardry will be a city-wide magical event, spread across such sites as Parliament Street, Shambles, St Helen’s Square and York Minster.
“It promises magical fun for wizards and witches of all ages and is shaping up to be a lot bigger than last year,” says organiser Dan Wood, alias the wand-ering Wizard of York, as he looks forward to casting a spell over York once more.
“There’ll be lots of new things going on, including taking over Parliament Street with a Wizard Activity Zone with face painting, wand making, performers and a Wizard Family Rave at Thor’s Tipi.
The WizardFest Fancy Dress Parade crowd at the 2025 festival. Picture: The Story of You
“We have 25 activities on the magical map, including trails, tours, bubble shows, dragons, owls, wand making, LEGO workshops, a Magical Night Market, Fancy Dress Parade and more.”
The festival announcement follows in the wake of magical mirth-maker Dan’s Wizard Walk of York winning Independent Business of the Year at the Visit York Tourism Awards, as well as Experience of the Year for the second year running, while last May’s inaugural WizardFest was a top three finalist for Festival of the Year.
Dan says: “Championing local businesses is at the very heart of what we do. We work with companies who we believe offer something special, and great value, for locals and tourists. WizardFest is all about putting them on the map, quite literally!”
He will be collaborating with Little Vikings to spread the wizarding word and has lined up six sponsors including York’s Loopy Scoops, Baby Boy’s Burgers and The Cat Gallery.
Meet a Dragon at Wizard Fest. Picture: The Story of You
Face painting at WizardFest. Picture: The Story of You
“We were blown away by the support for the first festival,” adds Dan. “Tickets vanished quickly and we can’t wait to do it all again. Fan favourites will return, including extra Wizard Walks, Brick Magic LEGO workshops and a wizard twist at Professor Kettlestring’s Puzzling World.
“Visitors can enjoy free trails, including The Black Cat Quest from The Cat Gallery – with new locations – and The Magical Owl Trail in Shambles Market by Make it York.
“Real owls will be appearing at St Crux Church on York’s Shambles on the Saturday, courtesy of The Flying Squadron, and Make It York will be bringing back The Magical Night Market, with more than 30 traders appearing – as if by magic – on the Monday evening. Expect a spellbinding setting, with wonderfully whimsical characters to meet and greet.”
Parliament Street will be transformed by Dan into a new Wizard Activity Zone. “There’ll be face painting, wand making, and families can get in a spin with the Party Octopus 360 video experience,” he says. “Thor’s Tipi is getting the party started with their Wizard Family Rave and offering Butterbeer with free wizard specs for every child.
The Wizard of York leading the Fancy Dress Parade at the 2025 WizardFest. Picture: The Story of You
“Chocolate unicorns can made and decorated at York Cocoa Works and The Giant Bubble Show at Friargate Theatre is new too for 2026. Families can enjoy 60 minutes of jaw-dropping bubble tricks from The Bubble Wizard.”
Wandering wizards will not go hungry either. “The Dragon Sundae returns to Loopy Scoops, with the chance to meet Ignis (Iggy) the Dragon nearby too,” says Dan. “You can sink your teeth into a Beastly Burger from Baby Boy’s Burgers at SPARK: York or try the fiery Phoenix Fries in Shambles Market.”
A highlight last year was the free Fancy Dress Parade and Best Dressed Contest on the final day. “This will return for 2026, on May 25, starting at 3.15pm in St Helen’s Square, then heading down Stonegate to York Minster,” says Dan. “Visitors are encouraged to dress to impress for the chance to win some spellbinding prizes.
“We’d love to see some really different or unusual outfits. The theme isn’t limited to one particular wizarding world. You could take inspiration from Harry Potter, The Lord Of The Rings, Discworld or Wicked. Perhaps come as a magical creature or your own original creation!”
The Bubble Wizard performing at WizardFest
Prizes are donated by The Wizard Walk, The Society of Alchemists, Stonegate Teddy Bears and The Shop That Must Not Be Named.
Activity listings can be found at www.wizardwalkofyork.com/wizardfest, where bookings can be made too. “I can’t wait to see everyone at the festival and to celebrate the best of magic and family fun in York,” says Dan.
“Plan your visit at www.wizardwalkofyork.com/wizardfest and follow @wizardwalkofyork on Facebook and Instagram for updates. Almost all events sold out last year, so early planning is recommended before tickets…vanish!”
A magical map will be available to download, along with printed copies during the event.
On fire: Dan Wood, alias Phoenix the Red, the Wizard of York: Organiser of WizardFest
More wizard news for Dan
THE Wizard Walk of York has ranked in fourth place in Family Friendly Experiences worldwide in the 2026 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards.
“The accolade puts the activity above experiences such as turtle snorkelling in Bali and a ninja experience in Tokyo,” says the Wizard of York, alias Phoenix the Red, the creation of York magical mirth-maker Dan Wood.
The tours leave from York’s Shambles and can run up to six times daily in the holidays, organised by Dan, who lives near York with his wife and two boys and loves creating magic moments for locals and tourists alike.
“We were actually awarded first place last year in same awards, but are still absolutely spellbound with the fourth position globally. It’s mind-blowing to think that our small family business – with big ideas – can reach such heights worldwide.”
The awards are based solely on visitor feedback, complemented by York’s wand-ering wizard having many other awards up his sleeve too. The business won Experience of the Year for the second time in the Visit York Tourism Awards 2026, as well as Independent Business of the Year.
In the Little Vikings Awards for Kids, The Wizard Walk of York has picked up the Best Tour prize four years running and Best Birthday Party Entertainer twice.
The Wizard of York on his Wizard Walk of York. Picture: The Story of You
“We put magic first in all that we do,” says Dan. “We’re all about making magical memories and bringing fun and laughter to families visiting our enchanting city. Visitors often describe it as the highlight of their whole visit, and we can’t ask for more than that.”
The Wizard Walk Of York tour is a quest to find magical creatures around York – led by either Dan himself as Phoenix the Red or second guide Viridian the Green. “The interactive experience combines magic, illusion, storytelling and more jokes than you can shake a wand at,” says Dan.
“We love York’s rich history, but this isn’t a historical tour. There are lots of those, and we set out to create something totally different. There are no ghosts stories, and it’s not a Harry Potter tour either – although the theme makes it popular for fans of the wizarding world.”
Dan’s company is expanding, to the point where he is seeking a third wizard guide, while conjuring new ideas and partnerships too.
The magic never stops for Dan and his team: as well as running public tours, birthday parties and school trips weekly, he is busy working on the city’s second official Festival of Wizardry, Wizard Fest (see story above).
All TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards can be found at https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-ThingsToDo. York Minster was crowned 12th in the UK’s Top Attractions.