A POPULAR festival is set to return to the streets of York.

Make It York has announced that the York Ice Trail festival is coming back this year with a theme of 'Around the World' on the weekend of March 5 and 6.

The first sculpture from this year's trail was revealed in The Shambles on February 1, featuring a hot air balloon and famous landmarks.

Visitors to the Ice Trail will have the chance to see the sculpture on Blake Street, near the Visitor Information Centre, on the weekend of the festival.

The City of York Council is sponsoring the York Skyline sculpture to show the city's sights in ice.

Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of the Council, said: “York Ice Trail was, I’m sure, missed by many last year, so it’s excellent to see the much-loved event return once again in March for residents, families and visitors to enjoy safely. 

“Our city is well known and loved for its vibrant businesses, so many of whom have joined the festivities this year, with an impressive 40 sculptures set to bring some extra magic to the city.  With so many sculptures and ways to get involved, this year’s festival promises to be another unmissable event.”

This sculpture will be one of over 40 ice sculptures for visitors to find travelling through York's streets, designed and sponsored by local businesses in York.

Four sculptures will be found at Middletons Hotel, who are transforming their grounds into a Wonderland, featuring 'Drink Me' cocktails specially curated by York Gin, an Alice in Wonderland themed afternoon tea, and pink flamingoes out on the Cottage Lawn.

Plus, York BID have sponsored seven sculptures, one for every continent of the world, and the Rugby League World Cup Trophy will be carved out of ice to celebrate York hosting eight matches in autumn.  

St Sampson's Square will be hosting a live ice carving with Icebox, who create the ice sculptures, and opportunities to try ice carving yourself on Parliament Street.

York Ice Trail is a Make It York event, with main sponsors First York. 

Sarah Loftus, Managing Director at Make It York, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing back the much-loved York Ice Trail event for 2022, and although slightly later than planned, it will be worth the wait! 

"After a couple of years where many of us haven’t been able to travel too far, this year’s theme will bring sculptures inspired from ‘around the world’ to the streets of York. There are over 40 ice sculptures to find this year, which have all been kindly sponsored by local businesses.”  

For more information about the Ice Trail and to watch the promotional video, visit:https://www.visityork.org/york-ice-trail