18/08/2010

Whilst most people are still enjoying the summer, historic York is already planning its winter festivities and hoping to attract thousands of visitors for a winter break.  Tourism agency Visit York is gearing up for Christmas with the production of "A York Christmas 2010" - a comprehensive guide to all the festivities and events taking place in the city over the Christmas season.   

A whole host of events offers visitors something to see and do every week from mid November up to Christmas day.  Whether its carol singing at York Castle Museum, the Magic Hatter's Christmas Party at the Grand Opera House, the ever popular St Nicholas Fayre, the Winter Wonderland at the National Railway Museum or the internationally acclaimed Early Music Christmas festival, the city has packed in so much to see and do it would be hard to find a reason not to visit York this winter time.

After visiting world class attractions, or taking your seat at the UK's funniest pantomimes, visitors can spend a few days exploring the beautiful streets lined with exclusive shops, quality high-street stores, great restaurants, café bars and pubs.  What's more every week on the run up to Christmas offers a different Fayre: the Children's Christmas Fayre (18-21 Nov); the International Fayre (1-19 December); the Made in Yorkshire Christmas Market (2-12 December); a Christmas Farmers' Market (21 Dec)....and that's before we tell you about the out of town markets!

Visitors come to York in their thousands over the Christmas period and last year spent in the region of £50 million.  Visit York, working with the City of York council and supported by Welcome to Yorkshire, is preparing early to ensure a successful Christmas period for all tourism businesses in the city. 

Gillian Cruddas, Chief Executive of Visit York said, ‘York's Christmas celebrations start in November and carry on every week up until Christmas day.  We're confident that more than ever before York is offering the very best Christmas festival, with so much variety and plenty of good value offers.  We look forward to offering our visitors a warm Yorkshire welcome.'

The new York Christmas guide will be available from the new Visit York Information Centre from mid September when all the information will also go live on www.visityork.org/christmas.  To request your free Guide to Christmas in York telephone the Visitor Information Centre on Tel: 01904 550099 or email info@visityork.org.

Here's a sneak preview....

A YORK CHRISTMAS 2010

A York Christmas 2010 begins in November with a host of food and craft festivals. St Nicholas Fayre, especially, always draws a cheerful crowd to stalls of Christmas gifts and tasty local farm foods.   York's streets are lined with top quality restaurants, café bars and gastro-pubs to suit every taste and York also boasts a range of independent food shops to tickle each taste bud with the very best of Yorkshire's local produce.

In the lead up to Christmas, York presents a full season of Christmas markets, with food and drink and festive cheer in abundance. The Children's Christmas Fayre (18 - 21 November 2010) starts off the season with market traders specalising in items for children of all ages. The popular St Nicholas Fayre (25 - 28  Nov) offers an array of markets across the city featuring unique gifts and crafts from across Yorkshire and the UK as well as the very best in local farm produce courtesy of the region's ‘Deliciously Yorkshire' members. Taking place in Parliament Street, St Sampson's Square, Coppergate Square and St William's College as well as including a distinctive Medieval Market at York's historic Barley Hall, the Fayre offers the chance to clear your Christmas shopping list in one festive weekend.

Some of the participants you may find at the St. Nicholas Food Market include:

• Round Green - Breeders and processors of farm raised venison and sellers of suckling pig, ostrich, kangaroo and wild boar
• Swaledale - Cheese handmade to the traditional recipe
• Rebori - Distinctive dressings made for use with meat, poultry and salads
• The Punch Brew - Herbal punch using traditional recipes
• Yorkshire Country Wines - Producers of country wines including Elderberry, Elderflower, Gooseberry and Blackberry
• Wensleydale Dairy Products - A cheese that needs no introduction to Wallace & Grommit fans
• The Crusty Pie Co - A family company offering over 25 different varieties of pies, including arguably one of the most mouth-watering pork pies in the country.

Not to mention the mulled wine, the brandy-laced hot chocolate and the chestnuts roasting on the street corner of course.  Not content with offering the best food and drink from its own region, York is delighted to greet the returning International Christmas Fayre (1 - 19 Dec) this year.  With a stylish modern flavour, the Fayre brings with it a sweep of global Christmas traditions, decked out in seasonal livery, with gentle festive music to enjoy as you shop.

Shoppers will also be able to wander with their Christmas treats to enjoy York's other seasonal specialist markets.

The ‘Made in Yorkshire' Christmas Market (2 - 12 Dec) at St Sampson's Square brings together some of the finest arts and crafts from around the North & East Yorkshire region, including ceramics, textiles, paintings, woodwork, pottery and glass. 

York's ‘Quarter' brings us the enchanting Festival of Angels (11 - 12 Dec). Experience a winter wonderland of ice sculptures, snow, stalls, and food and drink at this true winter festival, bringing the magic and excitement of our childhood Christmases back to us. Take time to wander around the Quarter, a fashionable eating and shopping area, cosy and cobbled with a distinctive bohemian flavour. For an excellent vegetarian meal visit the Spanish-styled El Piano with its global menu and décor. Or if a warming Jägermeister or a Baileys served from a chocolate glass is what you need, relax at Oscars' wine bar or chill out in style at Bar 1331.

For a final chance to fill your larder with goodies in time for Christmas, visit the ever-popular Farmers' Market (21 Dec) for a selection of Yorkshire favourites. Specialising in the very best of the region's food produce you'll be able to indulge in venison, ostrich or organic lamb burgers, accompanied by home-grown organic vegetables and a fine bottle of Yorkshire Punch.

Nestled between the visiting markets on Parliament Street and the picturesque Shambles, York's Newgate Market is open 7 days a week and is the ideal place to find all those last minute items needed for Christmas. With a variety of products, you'll find gifts, decorations, food as well as all those home essentials.

Also, hidden in the market place you'll find Henshelwoods Delicatessen, winners of the "Good Egg Award" and an "Observer Food Monthly Award". Specialists in cheese, both continental and home churned, Henshelwoods also stock other deli favourites and offer home-cooked additive-free take home Gourmet Meals.

And after a hard day's shopping, spoil yourself with a slap up meal at one of York's many fine restaurants or bistros. Take yourself down to Fossgate & Walmgate where you'll find a selection of fine eateries offering gourmet dining in restaurants like J Baker's Bistro, and Loch Fyne or a more relaxed bistro-style atmosphere but equally fine food in places like Melton's Too.  If you're worried you'll have late-night munchies, pop into the Hairy Fig deli, ‘purveyors of fine Yorkshire Fodder', on the way, stocking the best in food from far and wide and also offering the best selection of rich balsamic vinegars in the city.

York's venues, museums, theatres and churches come alive throughout the season with a variety of festivities, along with the city's many cafés, pubs and restaurants. Traditional candle-lit carol services take place in majestic York Minster and in the city's smaller churches. Local museums and galleries give a blend of both traditional and modern exhibitions and York's theatres come alive with pantomimes and other Christmas plays. For relaxation, visit the city's stylish café bars, with a ‘cool Yule' atmosphere that'll chill out even the most fraught of Christmas shoppers.

For regular updates on what's happening in York over Christmas, or a free guide to Christmas in the City, visit www.visityork.org/Christmas or email info@visityork.org

  

KEY DATES 2010

Children's Christmas Fayre:                                                      18 - 21 November

St Nicholas Fayre:                                                                    25 - 28 November

Made in Yorkshire Christmas Market:                                         2 - 12 December

International Christmas Fayre:                                                   1 - 19 December

Early Music Christmas Festival:                                                 2-11 December

Festival of Angels:                                                                    11 - 12 (TBC) December

Christmas Farmers' Market:                                                       21 December

Monks Cross Christmas Market                                                 9 - 12 December

 

St Nicholas Fayre (25 - 28 Nov)

St Nicholas Fayre is the busiest and most popular of all York's Christmas markets, offering everything from gifts and crafts to the best of local produce at this traditional festive weekend.  Visit one of the Victorian costumed traders at Parliament Street or Coppergate Square for gifts, arts and crafts from across the UK. You'll also find roast chestnut sellers and warming hot chocolate drinks laced with brandy there. Move on to St Sampsons Square to find the finest Yorkshire fares for your festive larder with a selection of the very best of the region's producers.  For a spell away from the winter weather, warm up in one of York's historic halls and houses at one of the Fayre's indoor markets. York's beautiful Georgian Mansion House will be splendidly decorated for Christmas, with all proceeds from the entry fee going to The Lord Mayor Of York and Sheriff's Charities.

From Georgian splendour to medieval grandeur, wander next door to the Guildhall for the ‘Made In Yorkshire' craft market. A unique setting with unique arts and crafts, you'll be sure to find extra special, hand-crafted Christmas gifts there. For more hand-made crafts you won't find on any high-street, travel down Stonegate to St Williams College, near York Minster. Call in on the way at the historic Barley Hall at Coffee Yard, off Stonegate to experience living history at this medieval townhouse where costumed traders gather to sell their wares. While you're there, be sure to warm yourself with a traditional ale or mulled wine at the Medieval Bar.

York Early Music Christmas Festival -  2-11 December

The York Early Music Christmas Festival, promoted by the National Centre for Early Music takes place in December each year and is a popular way in which to start the Christmas season. For further information contact The National Centre for Early Music, St Margaret's Church, Walmgate, York, YO1 9TL. Tel (01904) 632220 or visit the website at www.ncem.co.uk

Entertainment At Jorvik

JORVIK and York Archaeological Trust will provide a Viking slant on Christmas with events throughout December. JORVIK is open daily from 10am to 5pm.  For further information telephone the information line on 01904 643211 or visit www.vikingjorvik.com. 

25th November - 11th December

A Mansion House Christmas

Thursdays / Fridays / Saturdays; 11am / 12.30pm / 2pm, York Mansion House, £5 adult, £4 conc. Children and York residents visit for free.

Guided tours of the Mansion House dressed for Christmas. Post a letter to Father Christmas in our Lapland Letterbox.  Pre-booking: 01904 615505.

25th - 28th November

St Nicholas Fayre

10am - 5pm, Barley Hall, £2 adult, £1 conc., £5 family of four

Medieval traders gather to sell their wares. Living history and unique gifts. Medieval storytelling on 27th November. Traditional wine and ale at the bar.

9th December

A Medieval Christmas

Every twenty minutes from 6pm - 8pm, ring for details, Barley Hall, £6 adult, £4 conc. Includes a goblet of mulled wine.

Enjoy a festive atmosphere with Lord and Lady Snawsell and their family, with tales and music to entertain you into the night. Pre-booking essential: 01904 615505.

16th - 17th December

What the Dickens?

7.30pm, York Mansion House, £12. Includes a mince pie and a mulled wine.

Gather in the glorious setting of the state room to hear about the life of the great novelist, together with songs from musicals based on his stories, all presented by York Musical Theatre Company. This intimate evening revives a long tradition of Christmas entertainment in the Mansion House by this company, which was founded in 1902. Just the thing to get you in the festive spirit! Pre-booking: 01904 615505.

 

Throughout December

Deck the Halls

10 - 3, Barley Hall, normal admission prices apply

Visit Barely Hall during the festive season and see the house beautifully decorated to celebrate a medieval Christmas.

4th and 5th, 11th and 12th, 18th and 19th of December

Meet the family

10 - 3, Barley Hall, normal admission prices apply

Meet members of the Snawsell family, help them to prepare for Christmas and find out more about life at Barley Hall.

 

The Quarter - Festival of Angels  11th & 12th December

The Quarter area of York brings us the unique and magical Festival of Angels and is a pocket of individual shops, bars and restaurants. The place to out-do everyone else with stylish, personal gifts.

 

Betty's Café Tea Rooms

Take a typical afternoon Yorkshire Tea in Betty's tearooms - a unique Yorkshire experience - or visit a family run traditional tea rooms in the Shambles - The Earl Grey Tea Rooms - selling authentic Christmas gifts.

Designer Shopping

Take a trip out to the York Designer Outlet (a short bus ride from the town) for designer Christmas shopping at discount prices.  Choose from over 120 high street and designer stores including Tag Heuer, Ted Baker, Osprey, LK Bennett, Perfume Point, Coast, Jaeger, French Connection and Hugo Boss.  The outlet is perfect for shoppers who don't know what to buy for a loved one as they can purchase a gift card to spend at any of the stores. For those who want a bit more help with their gift buying or picking a Christmas party outfit can book a free two hour personal shopping session, also available from the customer information desk.  A Christmas launch will be taking place in November and late night shopping will also commence at the end of November.  Visit www.yorkdesigneroutlet.com for further information.

 

York Minster

York Minster is the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe and the most visited cathedral in England and holds a dedicated season of services to celebrate the birth of Jesus and a reminder of the true Christmas message. Listings of services are available at www.yorkminster.org. Christmas carols concerts will take place during December. 

York Minster Christmas Carol Concert - 10 December,  at 7pm

Tickets are £20, £15 and £10 and go on sale at 9.30am on 15 September - Book early as Front Nave tickets sell out in minutes.

Tel: 0844 939 0015 ext. 2081

Email: events@yorkminster.org

Web: www.boxoffice.yorkminster.org

 

Events at Barley Hall:

St Nicholas Fayre
25-28 November  10am - 5pm
£2 adult, £1 conc. £5 family of 4
Medieval traders gather to sell their wares. Living history and unique gifts. Traditional wine and ale at the bar.

Castle Howard - It's a Beautiful Christmas 27 November - 19 December

18th century Castle Howard will be decorated for Christmas once again, sparkling with baubles and shining with candlelight.  The Family Home at Christmas is a unique opportunity to peek behind the doors at the Howard family's Christmas. The Hon. Simon and Mrs Rebecca Howard decorate the House personally, with traditional family decorations and new ideas each year.  Beautiful decorations include seasonal floral displays and garlands; yet the real focus of attention is the giant Christmas trees in the Great Hall and Long Gallery - each decorated with over 1,000 baubles - as well as the display of traditional Howard family Christmas ‘twigs', all decorated by the Hon Simon and Mrs Howard.  There will also be music in the House, from festive jazz to violinist, from pianists to carol singers.  If you are visiting with children they can enjoy the festive house quiz and meet Father Christmas by the fireside in the Grecian Hall.  (Booking online)

 

A Winter Wonderland at the National Railway Museum 27 November

Get your skates on this Christmas and head to the National Railway Museum for a magical day out.  There's plenty of festive fun with the indoor *ice rink and BIG human snow dome.  Find the perfect present in the museum gift shops and get creative with craft workshops.  Wrap up warm and enjoy a white Christmas at the world's greatest railway museum.

Charges apply for the ice rink. 

Admission FREE

 

The Keeping of Christmas At Fairfax House (27 Nov - 31 Dec)

Visit Fairfax House at Christmas and see the spectacular decorations based on evidence from the Georgian period. See columns entwined with evergreens, swags and garlands embellish the hallway and a Kissing Bough in the kitchen.   The new Christmas commission for 2010 is an exotic dish of brawn created by food historian Ivan Day.

York Castle Museum

Christmas at the Castle
Nov 25 - Dec 24

Adult - £8
Concessionary Adult - £7
Children under 16 - FREE ( this offer does not apply to organised groups or schools)
Residents with a York Card - FREE
Wheelchair user plus one carer - FREE
www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk

See, hear and taste the traditions of Christmases past this year as York Castle Museum comes alive with the festive spirit.   The museum's world famous Victorian Street Kirkgate will be decked with holly and decorations, carols will fill the air and vendors will sell traditional Christmas gifts.  Explore the traditions of Christmas in the museum's period rooms that have been transformed with all the trimmings of the festive period - such as a full Christmas banquet in the Jacobean Room.

Lighting

The City of York council is working hard to ensure the city's streets will be lit with small bracketed trees - so creating a wonderful Christmassy atmosphere, whilst Parliament Street trees will have ‘pea' lights. There will also be a main Christmas tree in St Helen's Square and the Castle Museum area will retain the decorations it has enjoyed previously.  Coppergate shopping centre is taking part in the St Nicholas Fayre (26-28 November) and the Made in Yorkshire Christmas Market (1-12 December).  There will be a choir singing in the centre on both December 4th and December 11th (11am-2pm).

Father Christmas - A Victorian Father Christmas will be at Clifford's Tower, 27-28 November

Pantomimes

Christmas in Britain isn't complete without a visit to the traditional pantomime:

York Theatre Royal - Jack and the Beanstalk - 9 December - 29 January

Did you know according to the Guardian, ‘York Theatre Royal boasts the most pant-wettingly funny pantomime in the country'? And The Sunday Times consistently rates Berwick Kaler's York Theatre Royal panto as ‘one of the top five attractions to see anywhere in the UK during the winter season.'  For more information on York Theatre Royal's famous pantomime visit www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk or call 01904 623568

 

Grand Opera House - Cinderella - 10 Dec - 2 January

New Pantomime Productions return, for the 12th year running, to the Grand Opera House York this Christmas with their spectacular family pantomime Cinderella.  STUART WADE will be once again be donning his pantomime costume, as well as directing the show this Christmas.  LISA RILEY (one of the Dingle clan in Emmerdale & ‘Fat Friends' actress), will be playing Cinderella's Wicked Stepmother.   The panto promisies lots of songs, lots of laughs - a great day out..Evenings at 7pm (6.30pm on Sundays), matinees at 1pm or 2.30pm.  To book call box office on 0844 847 2322 or book online at www.grandoperahouseyork.org.uk.  ENDS