I think we can all agree, it’s been a bit of a year.
As a result, most of us are looking forward to Christmas with an extra sense of anticipation.
So to get us all in the mood, what better than fabulously festive music at the touch of a button? And to be precise… this button:
Last night, XmasMix Radio went live: a fabulously festive pop-up station, brought to you by the team behind YorkMix Radio, which goes on air in January.
It was launched on the night that would have been the traditional Christmas lights switch-on in the city. But this year, there couldn’t be crowds gathering for that big event outside the Minster.
Instead Ben Fry, York Town Crier and co-host of YorkMix Radio’s new breakfast show, hosted a socially-distanced countdown to XmasMix Radio.
XmasMix Radio: How to tune in
You can listen now to XmasMix Radio for non stop festive hits on
– DAB+
– on YorkMix
– on smart speakers by saying “Alexa, enable the YorkMix Radio skill”
– or “Hey Google, ask YorkMix Radio to play”
– and by downloading the YorkMix Radio app for your iPhone (Android app coming soon)
The pop-up station, sponsored by the lovely people at York Gin – another vital ingredient for a merry Christmas – went on air at 6pm, and will broadcast around the clock till the New Year.
The first track to be played on the station was decided by a World Cup of Christmas Songs, hosted by Ben on Twitter. And the winner was… Mariah!
Ben said: “This would have been light switch-on night. It would have been the start of York’s famous Christmas market.
“None of that’s happening for very obvious reasons – but that does not mean that Christmas is cancelled.
“In fact Christmas is most definitely going ahead – because tonight we’re going to be launching XmasMix Radio.”
Emma Godivala of York Gin said everyone needed a feelgood Christmas this year. And that included York traders.
“We’re really encouraging everyone to shop local, to shop online local – so many businesses, including ours, have great websites.
“Make sure you support local, even if you can’t get into town.”