York BID announces ‘Ghosts in the Gardens’ returns 19 September 2025 with new companion event – Ghosts: The Untold History

From 19 September 2025, York’s streets and green spaces will once again play host to a city-wide gathering of ghostly figures, as 58 ethereal sculptures take their places across historic sites. Among them are 10 brand-new ghosts, created especially for this year’s trail, ensuring fresh surprises for returning visitors.

Now a cornerstone of York’s cultural calendar, Ghosts in the Gardens has already attracted thousands of visitors to the city, encouraging people to explore York in a new way – discovering gardens, ruins, and hidden corners they may never have seen before. New additions for 2025 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, making it accessible to all.

To build on this ever-popular installation, York BID is also 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 intimate small-group event invites participants to step into the past with an intimate 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 are priced at just £5 (+ booking fee).

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.”