Make it York this Christmas

Guest blog: Ana from Visit York shares her top places to enjoy a yuletide day out with a medieval difference.

York is the ideal destination for a wintry day out. Wrap up warm and prepare to soak up the city’s medieval charm during the yuletide season, as fairs, family fun and seasonal flavours transform York into a festive fairy-tale.

Meander through the magical market stalls of St Nicholas Fair and delight in a truly special shopping experience. Wander inside traditional chalets adorned with twinkling lights and follow the aromas of mulled wine and tempting treats to the new Yorkshire Barn for a taste of yule themed Yorkshire fodder.

St Nicholas Fair

Be the first to the fair on Festive First Night, which takes place on 16 November and kicks off the Christmas celebrations across York. St Nicholas Fair will officially open for business and the Christmas lights will be switched-on, illuminating the city and making the medieval bar walls even more magnificent.

Scandinavian style stalls will light up the winter days along Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square and The Judge’s Lodging, where Small Business Christmas will be the home of handcrafted gifts, plus there’s inspired presents and stocking fillers aplenty in Coppergate. Local flavour will fill York’s famous Shambles Market and Food Court and there’s decorative details on offer at the new Made in Yorkshire Yuletide Village.

After shopping, take time to relax around a roaring log fire at cosy canvas hang-out Thor’s Tipi, where you can warm up with a hot chocolate or something a little stronger.

Festive Weekends

To add to the merriment there’s uniquely themed Festive Weekends, welcoming fanfare on Brass Band Weekend between the 18 and 19 November and a generous sprinkling of carols during Choirs Weekend between 25 and 26 November. Little ones will love Family Weekend between 2 and 3 December and don’t miss the sparkling ice sculptures which will line the streets of York during the glittering Ice Trail weekend of 9 and 10 December.

Ice Trail 

Are you ready for the biggest outdoor Ice Trail in the UK? Prepare to venture forth across the city in search of frosty figures and shimmering sculptures, the York Ice Trail is back to sprinkle magic across the city with 45 amazing ice carvings - more carvings than ever before.

Check out Visit York for more information or book trains to York.