WATCH: The lights come on at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland – it’s back with a new look!
Yorkshire’s winter wonderland is officially opening in 2023!
York Mix Radio We were there yesterday evening (Thursday) for the first Christmas light switch on of the season, ice skating fun, and festive magic.
Yorkshire Winter Wonderland at York Designer Outlet is officially open today, Friday 17 Novemberand continues until Sunday, January 7, 2024.
Watch the switch on:
Catch the competition winner, Olivia Karadis, 11, from Acomb, as she turns on the lights at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, with Breakfast Club presenters Laura Castle, Leigh Nicholson and Mixie Monster.
The 30-foot Christmas tree at the outdoor ice rink was glowing as invited guests took to the rink to enjoy skating.
The donation grotto, located outside the south entrance at the York Designer Outlet, for the YorkMix Toy Appeal is now also open. As part of our Toy Appeal, we’re asking people to donate new, unwrapped toys – from there, the toys will be delivered by our elves and given to children who need them most in our local area.
Paul Tyler, York Designer Outlet Center Manager, said: “We would encourage any visitor, before coming to the centre, to take a look around their home and see what they can donate.”
At the donation grotto, toys will be placed on a conveyor belt before being pushed to Santa’s loading area.
“Last year, just over 10,000 gifts were donated,” Paul said. “If we get close to that this year, it will be an amazing accomplishment.”
New to Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland this year is a terrace overlooking the ice rink, for those visiting The Chalet Café. Inside the cozy Alpine-style café, there will be mulled wine, hot chocolate, Yorkshire sausages, Parmesan truffle fries, mouth-watering mince pies and a range of tempting desserts.
There will also be refreshments available at The Dog Haus cabin or enjoy a picnic in the covered and heated conservatory.
There’s a new boutique Christmas market at Yorshire’s Winter Wonderland for 2023, with six log cabins selling unique gift ideas including The Yorkshire Gift Company, Fairfax Distillery & Chocolates, Leo & Lil for children’s clothing and toys, Nelly’s Fudge and Black Star Crystals.
The amusement park also got bigger and better this year, with new rides including Twist and Waltzer alongside classic family favorites Dodgems, dating back to 1937.
And of course, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a visit from Santa and his elves! This year, visitors can enjoy a stroll through the snow-covered winter forest – complete with decorated candy canes, gingerbread men and light-up reindeer – to the cozy log cabin grotto where a warm welcome and a special gift await the children.
Georgie Wood, Winter Wonderland Yorkshire event organizer, said: “We are so excited to be opening Winter Wonderland Yorkshire for our 18th season, and are feeling the Christmas spirit with the decorations and snow-covered trees everywhere!
“We like to create something different every year, and we’re thrilled to be introducing our new café terrace right next to the skating rink, as well as our gingerbread-themed Winter Woodland, and we hope all our guests enjoy the new look.
“Visiting Yorkshire’s winter wonderland has become a tradition for many families and a special part of Christmas. We hope we can help new visitors create new memories of their perfect festive experience too.”
Tickets for Santa’s visit cost £6 per child (including gift) with a family booking fee of £1.50. Reservations are 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 offers are available for families of three, four or five people.
For more information and to book your tickets, visit the Yorkshire Winter Wonderland website.
