Yorkshire Winter Wonderland launches at York Designer Outlet

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland at York Designer Outlet has officially opened for its 19th festive season - offering an ice rink, late night shopping, snacks, Santa’s Grotto, and festive fun for all the family.

Named one of the most 'fabulously festive and magical' ice rinks in the country by The Sunday Times, Winter Wonderland’s centre piece is its ice rink – which is the largest in the north of England and contains new technology to keep the ice extra thick.

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It comes with a landscaped woodland scene in the background and a 30ft high Christmas tree, decorated by event sponsor Haribo and topped with a Goldbear.

At a preview event on Thursday night, more than 150 people around the rink gathered to celebrate ‘Young Star’ Karen Abell as she switched on the event's lights. She was chosen for the role due to her remarkable strength, having lost her mother to cancer this year.

Professional skating duo Jack Gilbert and Ami-Lee christened the ice rink with a special performance - before it was officially opened to the public

The whole team with Goldbear (Image: Provided)

The event boasts a Bavarian Christmas market feel with an après-skate Chalet café and terrace, a new outdoor German Grill – offering gourmet sausages, and a skate hire marquee, decorated with vintage alpine posters and cow bells to set the scene for a winter trip to the alps.

Visitors can also enter the enchanted forest, with a festive team of animal helpers – from Oliver the Ostrich to the Polar Bear Band - who lead the way through a glittering light tunnel to Santa’s Grotto, and a funfair with rides for both adults and children.

The polar bear band (Image: Provided) The event will also offer a mini Christmas market with 12 boutique cabins offering a variety of Christmas gifts - in addition to the Designer Outlet itself.

Georgi Wood, event director, said: “We are very excited to be opening Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland for our 19th season, and are feeling very Christmassy with this year’s new additions - the HARIBO Starmix Tree, the gingerbread-themed Winter Woodland, Santa’s new team of helpers from York Zoo, the German Grill and our bigger Christmas market. 

“We look forward to welcoming guests from near and far to enjoy all the different delights that Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland has to offer.”