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York’s award-winning festive event - Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland - will be returning to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York this winter. The popular outdoor ice rink, funfair and Santa’s Grotto will be open from Friday 17th November 2023 to Sunday 7th January 2024 with tickets now on sale.
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland has been a regular Christmas attraction at York Designer Outlet since 2010, and this year will mark its 18th season in York; the event made its debut as The Ice Factor on the Eye of York in 2005.
The Ice Factor – the North of England’s largest outdoor ice rink at 975 sq m - will once again have a 30ft high sparkling Christmas tree as its centrepiece. Surrounded by illuminated trees, log cabins, the rink side cafe and a viewing platform, this magical setting makes for the perfect festive experience for all ages.
This year the funfair will be bigger and better than ever according to organiser Georgi Wood, with new modern rides including an exciting Twist and Waltzer augmenting the perennial family favourite, the vintage Dodgems dating from 1937. In addition, there will be plenty to enthral younger visitors with five children’s rides as well as game stalls offering prizes every time.
Also new to Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland this year is a terrace overlooking the ice rink, exclusively for patrons of The Chalet café, bringing them closer to the thrills and spills of outdoor skating, and providing the perfect spot from which to enjoy a warming mulled wine or hot chocolate. Inside the cosy alpine-themed, après-skate café, tasty winter-warming food and drinks as well as sweet treats will be available to purchase, and private parties can also be arranged.
The Winter Garden with its heated covered picnic tables offers an alternative outdoor eating area, with The Dog Haus cabin selling a range of hot dogs and festive drinks.
Christmas would not be the same without a visit to Santa and his elves, and this year visitors can enjoy an extended snowy woodland walk to his cosy log cabin grotto where a warm welcome and a special gift for children awaits.
For those seeking a festive retail experience a boutique Christmas market will offer gifts with a difference, and of course, York Designer Outlet is the perfect place to tackle the Christmas shopping, with favourite premium brands including Clarins, UGG, Tommy Hilfiger, Ted Baker, Sweaty Betty and many more for up to 60% less than the RRP. Those travelling in groups can also enjoy a special Christmas cheer with an additional 10% discount at participating stores when they pre-book online (yorkdesigneroutlet.com).
Booking Information:
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. Tickets for parents and toddlers aged 4 and under are priced at £14.50 from Monday to Friday during term time. Special packages are also available for parties, schools, clubs and youth groups, with discounts applying to groups of 20 or more.
Booking is recommended for skating at The Ice Factor, and an Early Bird discount of 10% off these prices is available now until 30th September, by using the code EARLYBIRD10 at checkout, either through www.yorkshireswinterwonderland.com or directly at www.ticketsource.co.uk/theicefactor. Online booking fee applies. Tickets can also be purchased on site once the event opens, subject to availability. Penguin and Snowman skating aids can be hired on site for £5; pre-booking is not available.
Santa will be returning to his Grotto this year and reservations are now open. Tickets are priced at £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.
Grotto Opening times are:
Weekdays, 17 & 24 November: 11am – 5pm; 27 November to 8 December: 11am – 5pm; 11 December to 22 December: 9.30am – 5pm.
Weekends, 18 November to 17 December: Saturdays: 9.30am – 6pm & Sundays 9.30am – 5pm
Christmas Eve: 10am – 3.00pm
Tokens for the funfair can be purchased on-site. For full details of prices and times visit www.yorkshireswinterwonderland.com
For further information on McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York visit www.yorkdesigneroutlet.com
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