Step into a magical world of frost, light and storytelling – in this brand-new immersive experience for Christmas in York.
The Winter Queen Experience, created by York-based digital experience designers AY-PE, opened last week – hidden within Fabrication on Stonegate.
What appears from the outside to be a small, unassuming room transforms to a dreamlike ‘ice theatre’, with the immersive experience taking visitors to a layered world of drifting snow, glowing fabric, frosted textures, and sound and light projection.
At the heart of the experience is a beautifully crafted animated film, accompanied by an original soundscape blending ethereal winter atmospheres with classical orchestral music.
This new story, suitable for all ages, follows the Winter Queen and her creatures as they guide the world through the turn of the season, balancing darkness, light and the wintery beauty hidden beneath the snow.
Visitors enter the intimate, snow-lit chamber in small groups and offers a moment of calm and enchantment in the middle of one of York’s busiest shopping streets.
The project builds on the collaboration between AY-PE and Fabrication first showcased in November within the Aesthetica Short Film Festival, in a large-scale light installation in Fabrication’s window.
The Winter Queen continues this partnership with the window display of a handmade Winter Queen gown and crown, designed by Fabrication CEO Dawn Wood of Ages of Elegance and artist Kirsty Ryder of Painted Witch Designs.
AY-PE bring the scene alive with interactive snow falling down the dress, and passersby are encouraged to wave both hands at the Winter Queen and see if they can clear the snow from her gown – an animated surprise awaits those that can.
“This collaboration brings together two worlds we love – handcrafted artistry and digital magic,” said the creative teams.
“You can play with interactive snow, buy one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts and be transported into a hidden realm of wintery beauty and wonder.”
The Winter Queen Experience runs at Fabrication, Stonegate, from Friday 5 December until Sunday 4 January.
Tickets can be pre-booked online (from £5) or available on the door (from £6). Family and Carer offers are also available.
