VIKINGS, raccoons and miniature trains join the line-up of fun for the February half-term holiday.

Families looking for entertainment in and around York and North Yorkshire will be spoilt for choice.

Here is a taste of some of the offerings coming up:

Among the highlights is the 33rd city-wide Jorvik Viking Festival which takes centre stage from Monday, February 20 to Sunday, 26, celebrating York’s Norse heritage.

With more than 100 events, including the chance to learn sword fighting, meet Norse residents in their encampments and witness warriors in battle, there should be something for every taste.

For programme details and to book tickets visit www.jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk or phone the Box Office on 01904 615505.

The National Railway Museum in York is offering plenty of hands-on fun, from steam rides behind world-famous Flying Scotsman to storytelling, a funfair in the South Yard, model making and rides on the miniature railway.

As well as a speed science show, there will also be a chance to see the huge turntable in action and to uncover the secrets of how a steam locomotive works.

For Flying Scotsman fans, footplate experiences are back, giving visitors the chance to climb into the driver’s cab and make their own journey on the track in the famous steam engine.

Askham Bryan College’s wildlife and conservation park opens during half term. The new visitor attraction on the outskirts of York includes raccoons, snakes, monkeys, wallabies and meerkats, skunks, mongoose, white lipped tamarins, lizards, fish, frogs and wallabies.

The park is part of the college’s £6.8 million animal management centre, and also features a wetland area and

farm animals, including alpacas.

It will be open to the public from this Saturday until Sunday, February 26, then on weekends and holidays.

Tickets must be booked in advance. For details of opening times and tickets, visit www.abcwildlifepark.co.uk

Family-friendly films including Finding Dory, Jungle Book and Aladdin will be showing at the Moonlight Drive-In Cinema at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York from Thursday, February 17 to 26.

The drive-in provides a unique American experience that people can enjoy from the comfort of their own cars as the film’s sound is transmitted directly into the vehicle’s in-car audio system. To book tickets visit moonlightcinema.com/york

Stockeld Park, near Wetherby, is hosting a new Mad Science Week event from February 18 - 25, featuring Sublime Science, of BBC’s Dragon’s Den. Stockeld which has an ice rink and a giant Yew Maze, will be open to visitors from February 17 - 26.