Seven reasons why York Festival Of Angels must return next year
This weekend should have been one of the most magical in York’s calendar.
A time when we staged a festive show like no other city. When a few of our old streets twinkled and sparkled with stunning ice sculptures.
Where ‘snow’ was guaranteed, and it wouldn’t turn into slippy slush. Where street artists would entertain the crowds with music or circus skills.
And where warming food and drink was available from stalls staffed by traders who had fully entered into the spirit.
The York Festival Of Angels was a special weekend. And this year it has melted into oblivion, for the sake of a few thousand pounds.
It must return next year. And here’s why.
1. It embodies the true spirit of Christmas
It was about the real spirit of Christmas: families, togetherness, fun. You could enjoy all of the festival’s marvels without putting your hand in your pocket.
As founder Magdalena Chavez told us, when we first revealed the festival was off:
“A wander through the streets without having to dig deep in the pocket for everyone to be enchanted is priceless.”
2. The ice art is unbelievable
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Photographs © Allan Harris on Flickr. Click to see a bigger image
3. It brings the city together
– Louise Clarke
– Sue F
4. And it attracts thousands of visitors
Back then, council leader James Alexander said:
We have been contacted by two travel operators who were planning to bring coaches filled with visitors to the city for the Festival Of Angels.
No one had told them it was off and they only found out via YorkMix. They have now cancelled the trips.
Many others have told us via our comments section that they have cancelled their plans to come here for the weekend…
– Georgina
– Deb Hill
– Bill
– Sarah Knowlson
– Elle
5. It’s an antidote to festive stress
This is how Festival Of Angels founder Magdelena Chavez puts it, and it is hard to disagree.
6. We are a ‘city of festivals’
Much time, money and effort has been expended on establishing York as a year-round “City of Festivals”.
Now one of the best-loved and most popular festivals has been pulled, and with little or no effort to tell anyone.
People are understandably dismayed. How can we turn that around?
By pledging to renew the Festival Of Angels in 2015, with full backing from the council, the new marketing agency Make It York, and the traders.
7. Christmas isn’t the same without it
was really disappointed it was cancelled last year – had arranged to visit with friends but changed plans when we heard. Since then our friend has been ill & it would really cheer him up to be able to bring him to the festival – is it on again this year?
Hi Beverley. We were really disappointed too. The good news is, although the Festival Of Angels itself isn’t back, a new version called the Ice Trail is planned for Dec 12-13 – see here for full details. Hope your friend gets better.
Would love to come to see the angels disappointed it is not on this year my son told me about a few years ago he loved it let’s hope it returns
We loved the Festival, it truly signified the start of our Christmas festivities in the Noble household ! 🙂
It had become a tradition and we were so sorry to see that it had been cancelled last year. We still came to York in 2014 but it was no where near as busy and lacked the magical atmosphere that it had on previous visits. Please please bring it back as I am sure that there are countless families such as ourselves who will look elsewhere to spend their money!!
Jayne – really interesting idea, as a small business (in finance – not retail) I would love to help raise funds for this, if we knew what the finance requirement was then perhaps we could look at ways of staging it using cash from the community, the council and the businesses which would benefit
Chris – Can you help at all?
We were talking about just this in the office yesterday. YM would love to lead on a crowd funding campaign to get the festival up and running next year. Perhaps we should put out an appeal for interested parties to come forward?
I’m sure other people have made this comment, but could we make a contribution as a member of the public who wants to see it return next year. And if we could, how do we do that?
I agree. More than ready to contribute to see this amazing festival. I cannot believe it’s been cancelled. Truly gutted.