Welcome to the Yorkshire Cycle Rally & Festival!
Join us at Driffield Showground for the North of England’s most friendly celebration of cycling!
Many thanks to all who helped make the 2025 York Cycle Rally & Festival such a great weekend.
We have some major news about 2026. Next year’s event will be held at Driffield Showground on the 12th to 14th June 2026, because for reasons beyond our control we cannot use the Knavesmire in York. It will be called the Yorkshire Cycle Festival 2026.
For the full background to this decision, some first info about the very promising venue in Driffield, and to find out how you can help make 2026 the best event yet in its new home, please see here.
Campsite bookings are open now – we have frozen prices, and also extended the earlybird reduced-price booking period until the end of January, in light of this late opening of bookings.
As ever, your all-volunteer organising committee hugely values your support as we do our very best to keep this event alive and successful, and we very much hope to see you in Driffield in June.
Meanwhile, please bear with us as we update all of the various websites, social media and more to reflect this news.
All are welcome, whether you cycle already or not!There’s a family atmosphere and plenty to do all weekend, including live music, food and a real ale bar. And entry is free!
The York Cycle Festival is 100% volunteer organised by and for cyclists from three great grassroots events, the York Rally, Retrobike Show and National Clarion CC.
Latest news:
Major news for 2026
You may have been wondering why you have not heard from us until now to confirm the dates for the 2026 York Cycle Rally & Festival, and to open campsite bookings. This is for good reason, as we explain in detail below. But first we (the all-volunteer organising team) can now confirm some major news…
What’s on at the York Cycle Festival:
Camp on site
There’s a huge campsite at the Festival, so if you’re coming with a tent, caravan or motorhome, please book your pitch now!
Retro MTB & BMX
The RetrobikeShow brings displays and a Show & Shine for classic mountain bikes, BMXs and more!
Grasstrack racing
Watch or compete in spectacular racing on the historic Knavesmire grasstrack arena, courtesy of the National Clarion Cycling Club.
Rides
Join for free in the York Rally programme of led rides, from very easy traffic-free family rides, to super challenging longer runs!
Kids jumps, balance bike racing and skills coaching
The Retrobike Show and Apex Cycle Coaching bring skills coaching for under 16 riders! Just turn up on the Sunday of the Festival. Also coming this year for both Saturday and Sunday will be Focus Rides with airbag jumps and balance bike racing. For these activities there’ll be just a small charge to cover costs and insurance
Trade show
Bikes and e-bikes, kit, clothing and much more are on display at the Festival’s trade show, with an ever-growing exhibitor list!
Cycle jumble
Bag a bargain or clear your clutter at the cycle jumble! Tables are very limited, so book early!
All abilities welcome
You’re welcome at the Festival whatever you ride, and the event is accessible to wheelchair users, adapted and special purpose cycles!
Talks
We’ve a great programme of guest speakers!
Club displays
Meet grassroots enthusiasts from special interest cycling clubs nationwide – and see amazing displays of classic and vintage cycles!
Food, bar, live music
There’s a wide range of caterers, a splendid bar and of course live music at the Festival!
Free entry!
Entry to the York Cycle Festival is completely free of charge! Bring the whole family for a great value day out!
What’s on and when
Buy a show programme on the day for just £2 to see the full schedule!
Friday
- Gates open 4pm
- Catering and bar open 4pm
- Evening rides
Saturday
- Throughout the day: rides for all abilities, catering and bar, trade show and cycle displays
- Airbag jumps and balance bike racing with Focus Rides
- Morning: children’s activities, live music
- Afternoon: Grasstrack racing, Cycle jumble, talks
- Evening: More talks, live music, food and good company
Sunday
- Throughout the day: rides for all abilities, catering and bar, trade show and cycle displays
- Airbag jumps and balance bike racing with Focus Rides
- U16s skills sessions with Apex Cycle Coaching
- Morning: Church service ride, children’s activities open, Cycle Jumble, Retrobike Show&Shine
- Afternoon: Grasstrack racing
- Close: Event closes at 4:30 pm (although some campers and volunteers stay on site until Monday)
Until the Festival opens (4pm, 20th June):
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