York’s ‘hot’ winter festival season kicks off
With the nights drawing-in and the first signs of frost beginning to appear, York is beginning to prepare for its winter festival season, with a wide-ranging programme of events setting the city up to rival other traditionally popular winter break destinations across the UK and beyond. From carol singing and Christmas markets to ice-skating and ice-sculpting and the always popular ‘Best Beard Competition’ at February’s JORVIK Viking Festival, there is something on offer for everyone in York this winter.
To coincide with York’s busy calendar of festive and winter events Tourism Chiefs are encouraging city break seekers to take a second look at Britain’s Most Beautiful City and get ‘Wrapped Up’ in York this winter. Running from 5th November to 28th March, the city (recently voted as the UK’s best Gastro destination by online travel review site Trip Advisor) has launched a ‘York Wrapped Up’ offer which includes:
Two night’s accommodation, including breakfast and a FREE* dinner for two or a Yorkshire Hamper on your first night of stay in selected York hotels, B&Bs and self-catering. (*dinner at hotels only, B&B’s and self-catering accommodations offer the Yorkshire hamper).
An exclusive deal on the York Pass - Three day pass for the price of a two day, saving £10 per person. (£48 instead of £58).
Fantastic East Coast Trains deals to be announced shortly
Exclusive discount offers downloadable online at restaurants and shops
The well-known and hugely popular St Nicholas Fayre, returning to the streets of York for its 21st year in 2012, and the Festive Fayre (6th – 23rd December), are just two of a number of fantastic Christmas markets in the city. York is now establishing itself as the top winter break destination to shop and experience the cold weather months, with a busy calendar of Christmas markets, cultural festivals, concerts, an outdoor ice rink and seasonal activities running from November right through until the first day of Spring. Further out of town, Castle Howard is open daily for Christmas between 24th November and 16th December 2012, offering visitors the chance to experience elegant decorations and music, festive food, gifts and an audience with Father Christmas. It’s the perfect way to soak up the festive atmosphere with the family.
A ‘Made in Yorkshire’ market kick starts the Christmas shopping season from the 8th to 18th November, followed by St Nicholas Fayre (29th November to 2nd December). York’s Festive Fayre returns from the 6th to 23rd December, the Festival Of Angels will once again transform York’s streets into a winter wonderland for the 15th and 16th December and the popular Christmas Farmer’s Market gives visitors a chance to stock up on some regional produce for the Christmas table on Friday 14 December.
Following Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, York’s winter festival season heats up with the 28th Annual JORVIK Viking Festival running from the 16th to 24th February 2013. 1,000 years ago when York was under Viking rule, great celebrations took place every February called ‘Jolablot’ to herald the coming of spring and the survival of winter hardships. Long forgotten, in the early 1980s the York Archaeological Trust revived Jolablot, creating the largest Viking Festival in Europe. Now in its 28th year, the Festival attracts more than 40,000 visitors to the city and is routinely heralded as the city’s most interesting and exciting event on its far reaching festival calendar. Attracting Viking re-enactors from across Europe and media interest from around the world, the festival has over 80 events for all ages including a Viking battle finale with fire drawings, a 60ft boat burning, a Strongman competition and the Annual best beard competition.
With a whole host of activities on offer from the city’s attractions, a unique collection of independent shops and designer boutiques, and a winter events calendar jam-packed with fun things to do for couples, families and groups alike, Visit York’s new winter promotion, ‘York Wrapped Up’, aims to encourage city break seekers to immerse themselves in the city, wrap up warm and explore the sights and sounds of York’s famous winter festivals.
Gillian Cruddas MBE, Chief Executive of Visit York, said: “With Christmas markets, award winning pantomime performances and a Viking Festival 1,000 Years in the making - nowhere gets into the winter spirit quite like York does and there is a real buzz around the entire city as preparations for our winter festival season get underway. Our new ‘Wrapped Up’ promotion gives holiday hungry travellers a great excuse to hop on the train and experience the city for themselves.”
For full details and to book your ‘York Wrapped Up’ break visit: visityork.org/wrappedup.
To find out more about Visit York, go to: visityork.org.