Here’s a first glimpse of York Ice Trail 2026 – when York will be transformed under the theme Enchanted City!
The towering ice portal marks the awakening of an Enchanted City; a gateway to York Ice Trail 2026, where imagination and wonder spill onto the city streets.
Travel around the Enchanted City and discover mystical ice creations inspired by magic, mystery and the weird and wonderful on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February 2026.
There is something for all to enjoy at this year’s York Ice Trail which will see 36 mystical ice sculptures, interactive experiences and photo opportunities leading you across the city, as well as the popular live ice carving each day from 12pm.
New for 2026, The Ice Village gives visitors the opportunity to relax and recharge after a day of exploring, with unique gifts, handcrafted treasures and delicious treats, even potions!
Don’t miss photo and selfie opportunities at the Ice Ice Baby neon wall, ‘trap’ yourself in The Ice Wall, make your snow angel pose at The Snow Block and take a whirl in the Igloo 360 Photobooth.
YorkMix also have an ice sculpture again this year – don’t miss our Magic Mixie Monster!
There’s also a dedicated Food and Drink Area at Parliament Street to refuel along your trail journey, as well as the favourite Shambles Food Court for delicious street food from around the globe.
York Ice Trail is a free event open to all from 10:30am to 4pm over the weekend. Pick up the official trail map from the Visit York Visitor Information Centre to tick off all the sculptures and, upon completion, collect a special sticker!
Precise locations will also be available via what3words, available on the printed map and online.
The ice sculptures are curated by Make It York and partners and created by Icebox, the UK and Europe’s leading ice sculpture specialist, with each ice sculpture sponsored by a local business, whose support makes the event possible.
Sarah Loftus, managing director of Make It York, said: “York Ice Trail is a fantastic event that unites residents and visitors in a shared sense of wonder.
“It’s one of our favourite events in the calendar, and it’s very much reflected with the positive engagement and happy faces we see over the weekend.
“We’re incredibly grateful to our partners for their generous support, without which, the event won’t be possible. Thank you all for supporting and visiting!”
Find out more at the York Ice Trail hub here.
Full list of sculptures and activities for York Ice Trail 2026:
- Ice Ice Baby (neon photo opportunity) – provided by Make It York
- Igloo 360 Photobooth – provided by Party Octopus
- The Ice Village (curated market)
- All Aboard for Railway Stories – provided by National Railway Museum
- Bertie the Shambles Dragon – provided by Shambles Market Traders
- The Wizard of Ouse! – provided by City Cruises York and Mr Chippy
- The Enchanted Chocolate Bar – provided by York’s Chocolate Story
- Drake’s Spellbound Catch – provided by Drake’s Fish and Chips
- Sword in the Stone – provided by York BID
- The Yorkshire Rose by Kay Bradley – provided by Bradley’s Jewellers, York
- Saint William’s Poisoned Chalice – provided by York Minster
- Toadstool House – provided by York BID
- York Park & Brrr-ide – provided by First Bus
- Wizard Teddy Bear – provided by Stonegate Teddy Bears
- Bettys Bern Bears – provided by Bettys
- The Magic of Connection – provided by Grand Central Rail
- Lord of the Lodging – provided by The Judge’s Lodging
- The Ice Wall (photo opportunity) – provided by Make It York
- Spellbound Train Ticket – provided by The Milner York
- From Grand Roots, Magic Blooms – provided by The Grand, York
- Hobgoblin – provided by York BID
- Enchanted – provided by Icebox
- Wade The Giant – provided by North York Moors National Park
- Let It Sew – provided by Gillies Fabrics
- The Hungry Dragon – provided by Ate O’clock
- Barghest – provided by York BID
- The Prophet Hen – provided by SPARK: York
- Jack Frost – provided by York BID
- Wings of Ice – provided by Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
- Magic Mixie Monster – provided by YorkMix
- Mjolnir – The Bringer of Lightning – provided by Murton Park
- Beaky Blinder the Puffin – provided by RSPB
- Food and Drink Area
- Ice Masterclass (paid experience)
- The Snow Block (photo opportunity) – provided by Make It York
- Live Ice Carving (from 12pm)
