Yorkshire Games Festival Returns To The National Science And Media Museum Over February Half-Term

Yorkshire Games Festival returns to the National Science and Media Museum for its ninth edition from 10 – 23 February, following the museum’s reopening. The festival celebrates all things gaming, hosting hands on activities and events across the museum over two weeks, including a half term programme of family friendly gaming fun as well as industry focused conference event, Game Talks.

The festival’s half term programme runs from 15 – 23 February, and includes activities, workshops and experiences for all ages to enjoy. In addition to experiencing cutting edge games technology with the Yorkshire Games Festival 2025 Showcase and Pudsey Computers, visitors will also be able to learn more about gaming history with daily videogame object handling sessions from the museum’s expert team of curators and volunteers.

Pictureville Cinema’s Cubby Broccoli screen will also host to Big Screen Gaming sessions, giving visitors the opportunity to play Nintendo classics like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros on a full-sized cinema screen. One floor of the museum will also be transformed into The YGF Arcade, encouraging gamers to get hands on with the museum’s own library of iconic retro arcade games.

As part of the February half term programme, CBBC will be hosting intergenerational gaming challenge Game On Grandparents across the museum throughout the week. Younger gamers are invited to train up their “noob” adults in the museum’s foyer throughout the week, ahead of a live gaming tournament in Pictureville on Saturday 22 February – hosted by YouTube gaming legend Yammy.

The popular gaming comedy game show Wifi Wars will also be returning to Yorkshire Games Festival after its success in previous years. The event will be hosted by comedian, TV presenter and videogame pundit Steve McNeil, and allows audiences to play along and compete against one another using their own device.

As one of the largest festivals dedicated to gaming in the North of England, Yorkshire Games Festival is a unique chance for gamers of all ages to get involved with gaming technology, explore new development and celebrate the rich history of video games in an interactive environment. The festival offers a diverse and engaging range of events, whether visitors are looking to deepen their gaming knowledge or try something new.