Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland is officially open for 2023!
YorkMix Radio were there yesterday evening (Thursday) for the first Christmas light switch on of the season, ice skating fun, and festive magic.
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland at York Designer Outlet is officially open today, Friday 17 November, and runs until Sunday 7 January 2024.
Watch the switch on:
Take a look at our competition winner, Olivia Carradice, 11, from Acomb, turning on the lights at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, with Breakfast Club presenters Laura Castle and Leigh Nicholson and Mixie Monster.
The 30ft high Christmas tree centrepiece to the outdoor ice rink was aglow, as invited guests took to the rink for skating fun.
The donation grotto, located outside the South Entrance at York Designer Outlet, for the YorkMix Toy Appeal is also now open. As part of the Toy Appeal, we are asking people to donate a new and unwrapped toys – from there, the toys will delivered by our elves and given to the children who need them most in our local area.
Centre manager for York Designer Outlet, Paul Tyler, said, “We’d like to encourage any visitors, before they come to the centre, to have a look in their house and see what they could donate.”
At the donation grotto, toys will be placed on the conveyor belt before being pushed into Santa’s loading area.
“Last year it was just over 10,000 gifts that were donated,” said Paul. “If we get close to that this year, it’ll be a super achievement.”
New to Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland this year is a terrace overlooking the ice rink, for those visiting The Chalet cafe. Inside the cosy alpine-themed café, mulled wine, hot chocolate, Yorkshire sausages, truffle parmesan fries, mouth-watering mince pies and an array of tempting sweet treats will be available.
There will also be refreshments available from The Dog Haus cabin or enjoy a picnic in the heated and covered Winter Garden.
There’s a new boutique Christmas market at Yorshire’s Winter Wonderland for 2023, with six wooden cabins selling unique gift ideas including The Yorkshire Gift Company, Fairfax Distillery & Chocolates, Leo & Lil children’s clothing and toys, Nelly’s Fudge and Black Star Crystals.
The funfair is also bigger and better this year, with new rides including the Twist and Waltzer alongside family favourite vintage Dodgems, which date from 1937.
And of course, Christmas would not be the same without a visit to Santa and his elves! This year visitors can enjoy a stroll through the snow-covered Winter Woodland – complete with decorative candy canes, gingerbread men and illuminated reindeer – to his cosy log cabin grotto where a warm welcome and a special gift for children awaits.
Georgi Wood, event organiser of Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, said: “We are very excited to be opening Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland for our 18th season, and are feeling very Christmassy with the decorations and snow-covered trees everywhere!
“We like to create something different each year and are delighted to introduce our new café terrace right beside the rink as well as the gingerbread-themed Winter Woodland, and hope all our guests will enjoy the new look.
“A visit to Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland has become a tradition for many families and a special part of their Christmas. We hope we can help new visitors create new memories for their perfect festive experience too.”
Tickets to visit Santa are £6 per child (including gift) with a £1.50 family booking fee. A reservation is required to visit Santa but can be made on the day, subject to availability.
Tickets for a one-hour skating session at The Ice Factor are priced at £14.50 for adults and £13.50 for children and concessions. Family packages are available for families of three, four or five.
For more information and to book your tickets, visit the Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland website.
