Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland opens for its 20th season of festive fun at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York
Celebrating its milestone 20th season in York, Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland opens today with an array of festive touches and colourful surprises. The award-winning outdoor ice rink, funfair and Santa’s Grotto provides a fun-filled winter experience at York Designer Outlet and no end of photo opportunities for all the family.
At the Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland lights switch-on last night, 300 invited guests were treated to the spectacle of an electrifying woodland scene forming the backdrop to the ice rink, featuring giant trees edged with ever-changing colourful neon ropes bringing them to life, as well as glowing Christmas Bauble trees, creating a stunning setting for winter skating.
Skating at Yorkshires Winter Wonderland
Hosted by local radio station YorkMix, the Preview Evening guests were welcomed by cast members from Joseph Rowntree Theatre’s pantomime The Adventures of Peter Pan, including the pantomime dame, Peter Pan and Captain Hook as well as costume character Mixie from YorkMix. 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 simultaneously inspired and 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.
The Twister at Yorkshires Winter Wonderland funfair
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. With its signature 30ft high sparkling Christmas tree in the centre, the extra-thick glistening rink is flanked by the après-skate Chalet café and the skate hire marquee, decorated with vintage alpine posters and photographs and even a cow-bell or two to set the scene. With this year’s new and spectacular woodland backdrop, the event lives up to its reputation as one of the most ‘fabulously festive and magical’ ice rinks in the country (The Sunday Times 2023).
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 6th visit for free.
The lights switch-on at Yorkshires Winter Wonderland
Adding to the festive atmosphere, the funfair offers something for everyone. For speedsters and thrill-seekers there’s the ever-popular Waltzer as well as a ‘twist-and-scream’ Twister, and everybody’s favourite – the Brooklands Dodgems dating from 1937, a vintage masterpiece from the golden era of fairgrounds – makes a welcome return. Younger visitors will be enthralled by 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.
The Chalet café with its outdoor terrace provides the perfect spot from which to enjoy a warming mulled wine or hot chocolate and witness all the thrills and spills of skating. Inside the cosy alpine-themed, après-skate café, tasty winter-warming food and drinks as well as sweet treats are available to purchase, and private parties can also be arranged.
Enjoying the Train ride at Yorkshires Winter Wonderland
Overlooking the snow-sprinkled trees in the Enchanted Woodland, individual wooden picnic cabins decorated with festive touches make the perfect spot to tuck in to a gourmet sausage from the outdoor German Grill or enjoy a warming mulled wine.
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.
Families enjoy the opening night at Yorkshires Winter Wonderland
Helping to ensure that no child wakes up on Christmas Day without a gift, York Designer Outlet has teamed up with YorkMix for the Children’s Toy Appeal 2025. Donations of new gifts for children up to 16 years of age – such as books, puzzles, stuffed toys, and arts and crafts – can be dropped off at Santa’s Workshop in the Enchanted Woodland, and will be delivered by the Toy Appeal Elves to children who need them most across the York and Selby area in time for Christmas. Charities in the local area can register to receive toy appeal donations at www.yorkmix.com/toys.
And of course York Designer Outlet is the perfect place to tackle the Christmas shopping, with favourite premium brands including Levi’s, Clarins, Columbia, French Connection, Sweaty Betty and many more for up to 60% less than the RRP. Those travelling in groups can also enjoy a special Christmas cheer with an additional 10% discount at participating stores when they pre-book online (yorkdesigneroutlet.com).
This season marks the ice rink’s 20th anniversary since its debut as The Ice Factor on the Eye of York near Clifford’s Tower in 2005. The outdoor rink moved to York Designer Outlet in 2010, expanding the attraction to include a funfair and Santa’s Grotto, and has operated every year except 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. Over the last 20 years Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland has become a hugely popular festive attraction, drawing visitors from far and wide over its seven-week season.
Children at the Wishing Cauldron in the Enchanted Woodland at YWW
Paul Tyler, Centre Manager at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York comments:
“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. We love seeing the joy it brings, and it truly helps spread that festive cheer while people are also able to tick off their Christmas shopping list! The ice rink has become a real pillar of the community, bringing together families, couples, and individuals during the festive season to create lasting memories.”
Georgi Wood, Event Director, Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland also comments:
“We are so excited to be celebrating the milestone of our 20th anniversary this year. So many people have grown up with a visit to the ice rink or funfair as part of their festive celebrations. As always we have introduced some new decorations around the site, and hope everyone will enjoy the spectacle of our electric trees beside the rink, making Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland the perfect place for the festive selfie and some great winter exercise!”
Children visit Wilson the Wise Owl in the Enchanted Woodland at YWW
Booking Information:
Tickets for a 45-minute skating session at The Ice Factor are priced at £15.95 for adults and £14.95 for children and concessions. Family packages are available for families of three, four or five. Tickets for parents and toddlers aged 4 and under are priced at £15.95 from Monday to Friday during term time. Special packages are also available for parties, schools, clubs and youth groups, with discounts applying to groups of 20 or more. Autism/quiet skating sessions are on Tuesdays at 10.15am until 16th December, in line with York Designer Outlet’s Autism Friendly Hours.
Booking is recommended for the ice rink, either through www.yorkshireswinterwonderland.com or directly at www.ticketsource.co.uk/theicefactor. Online booking fee applies. Tickets can also be purchased on site, subject to availability. Penguin and Snowman skating aids can be hired on site for £5; pre-booking is not available.
Santa returns to his Grotto this year and reservations can be made either through www.yorkshireswinterwonderland.com or directly at www.bookfatherchristmas.co.uk/York. Tickets are priced at £7 per child with £1.50 family booking fee. A reservation is required to visit Santa but can be made on the day, subject to availability.
Grotto Opening times are:
Weekdays
14 to 27 November: 11am – 5pm
28 November: 10am – 5.30pm
1 to 4 December: 11am – 5pm
5 December to 19 December: 10am – 5.30pm
Weekends
15 November to 21 December
Saturdays: 9.30am – 6pm & Sundays 9.30am – 5.30pm*
*16 December until 5pm
22 to 23 December
10am – 6pm
Christmas Eve
10am – 3pm
Funfair
Tokens for the funfair can be purchased on-site. For full details of prices and times visit www.yorkshireswinterwonderland.com
For further information on McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York visit www.yorkdesigneroutlet.com
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www.facebook.com/yorkshireswinterwonderland