Celebrating its milestone 20th season in York, family favourite Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland opens today (Friday).
The award-winning outdoor ice rink, funfair and Santa’s Grotto is back for a fun-filled winter experience at York Designer Outlet.
Three hundred invited guests were at the Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland lights switch-on last night, hosted by YorkMix.
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They were the first to see the woodland scene that forms the backdrop to the ice rink, featuring giant trees edged with ever-changing colourful neon ropes bringing them to life.
There are also glowing Christmas Bauble trees, creating a festive setting for winter skating.
Cast members from Joseph Rowntree Theatre’s pantomime The Adventures of Peter Pan, including the pantomime dame, Peter Pan and Captain Hook, mingled with other guests last night.
Opening time
And YorkMix‘s own Mixie Monster was there to the particular delight of the younger guests.
Led by Town Crier Ben Fry, the assembled guests and 150 competition winners counted down with excitement and applauded ‘Young Star’ nine-year-old Harper Wrigglesworth from York as she switched on the magical light display.
In a specially choreographed routine, professional skating duo Jack Gilbert and Ami-Lee awed onlookers with their grace and ease on the ice. Guests were then invited to go for a glide themselves, enjoy the fun of the fair and explore Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland.
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York manager Paul Tyler said: “Christmas at York Designer Outlet just wouldn’t be the same without Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland. For many families, the event has become a cherished fixture in their festive calendar, offering fun outdoor activities for all ages to enjoy.”
Skating and more
At the heart of the event is the North of England’s largest outdoor ice rink at 975 sq m, which uses the latest ice rink technology to provide a premium skating experience.
Featuring a 30ft high sparkling Christmas tree in the centre, the rink is flanked by the après-skate Chalet café and the skate hire marquee.
The ice rink is open every day except Christmas Day, offering eleven 45-minute skating sessions during the day, plus a 9.15am session at weekends and during holidays.
For those wishing to make the most of the season, a Frequent Skater Pass enables skaters to collect a stamp from the box office over five sessions and enjoy the sixth visit for free.
The funfair adds to the fun atmosphere, with rides including the ever-popular Waltzer, a ‘twist-and-scream’ Twister, and everybody’s favourite – the Brooklands Dodgems dating from 1937, a vintage masterpiece from the golden era of fairgrounds.
There’s also four children’s rides, including the new Jets and Train rides, the beautiful vintage Muffin the Mule Autodrome and the Toy Set. Plus there’s game stalls offering a prize every time, so everyone goes home happy.
Inside the cosy alpine-themed Chalet café, tasty winter-warming food and drinks as well as sweet treats are available to purchase, and private parties can also be arranged.
The Enchanted Woodland is where Christmas wishes come alive.
With giant size woodland creatures at every turn, the twinkling trail leads to hidden wish potions, Wilson the Wise Owl, Stardust the Unicorn, and finally the glowing Wishing Cauldron, where everyone can drop in their dreams and watch as they shimmer to life with Christmas magic.
From there visitors can follow the glittering light tunnel to Santa in his log cabin Grotto, where a warm welcome awaits, as well as a special gift for children.
