Now past: what was on in York on 26 and 27 September: Tom Bailey and Blancmange at the Barbican, Jeremy Bowen at the Grand Opera House, and two free guided walks.

An 80s double bill at the Barbican, a war correspondent at the Grand Opera House and two free walks from the York Walking Festival lead this weekend in York. Every listing below comes from the venue’s or organiser’s own page. Check it before you set off, because times and availability can change.

Friday 25 September

  • MANIA: The ABBA Tribute, Grand Opera House, Clifford Street. The venue lists it for Friday night; the start time and tickets are on the Grand Opera House booking page.

Saturday 26 September

  • The History and Botany of Heslington Open Fields, 10am, a York Walking Festival walk of 2.5 miles. It starts and finishes outside Heslington Hall (what3words: trying.remark.sofa). No booking is needed, and weekend parking at the university is free. The organisers say most of it is on pavements, cycle paths and footpaths, with some grass and gentle slopes on Heslington Hill (iTravel York, Walking Festival programme).
  • Jeremy Bowen: Truth Under Fire, Grand Opera House, listed by the venue as a talk. Times and tickets are on the Grand Opera House booking page.
  • Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey and Blancmange, York Barbican, doors 6.30pm. Expect Hold Me Now and Doctor Doctor, which the venue lists among the hits in the set (York Barbican). A booking fee applies.
  • Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club, York Barbican’s YO1 Live Lounge, doors 7.30pm, show 8pm. Over-18s only. Seating is unreserved, so the venue advises arriving early (York Barbican).

Sunday 27 September

Free, any time this weekend

  • The new Glen Gardens play area in Heworth is open, with a wheelchair-accessible roundabout, an embankment slide and a timber agility trail. Our report has the details.
  • The York Walking Festival runs to Sunday 4 October, with more walks next week on the festival programme.

Before you travel

  • The A19 south of York closes overnight from Monday. From 8pm on Monday 28 September it shuts between Escrick and the Designer Outlet roundabout for up to 10 week nights (City of York Council). It does not affect this weekend. Our roadworks and travel page has the full list.
  • Parking for the Barbican and the Grand Opera House: our York parking guide covers the city centre car parks.

What it means for you

The two walks are free and need no booking, so they are the easy option if the weather holds. The Barbican comedy night is unreserved seating, so turn up early for a good seat. For more ideas, see our things to do in York page.