Nearly 40 Christmas trees, individually decorated and covered in sparkling lights, are now bringing the very essence of festive cheer to the heart of York.
York Minster’s first Christmas Tree Festival has opened in the grounds of the former Minster School opposite the great cathedral.
Each tree has been decorated by a local business, school or charity.
Visitors will be able to vote for their favourite tree in a ‘best dressed tree’ competition and take part in activities, including adding their own Christmas message to a tag to hang on a prayer tree, and family craft sessions on Saturday (20 November).
Neil Sanderson, Director of the York Minster Fund which has organised the festival, said: “Nearly 40 trees are being decorated to individual themes, from handcrafted ornaments by our stonemasons and the team at York Glaziers Trust, to music inspired creations and everything in between, so we can’t wait to see the ideas our participants have come up with.
“Entry to the festival in free, but we are encouraging donations to cover the running costs for the event, with any remaining proceeds being invested to help support the conservation of the cathedral.”
The trees for the festival have been provided with support from local company York Christmas Trees, who supplied the Christmas tree for 10 Downing Street in 2020.
