AN OUTDOOR ice rink, a Christmas market and a festive light show are to be the highlights of York's Yuletide celebrations.

Festivities will include with the four-day St Nicholas Fayre, a traditional market selling local produce and handcrafted gifts, which sets its stalls out from November 27.

For the first time, there will be market stalls outside the Minster in College Street as well as in the traditional locations of Parliament Street, St Sampson's Square and King's Square.

York's first outdoor ice rink will be installed at the Eye of York and will be open to the public from this Friday until January 4.

The Christmas lights switch-on will take place in Duncombe Place at 6pm on Thursday, November 27.

There will be special guests and music followed by a light show at the Minster at 7pm.

The light show, which is taking place for the second year, will run for four nights.

Tony Bennett, chairman of the First Stop York Tourism Partnership, said: "The Yuletide York programme gets stronger every year. It is an excellent example of co-operation between City of York Council, York Tourism Bureau and key tourism businesses and retailers within the city.

"The Yuletide York programme brings in thousands of additional visitors to the city, generating millions of pounds for the local economy."

Updated: 10:42 Monday, November 17, 2003