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Christmas in York
A beautiful, scenic place to visit all year round, York becomes a truly magical place during the festive season. As the cobbled streets and rustic antique buildings already recall the city’s wonderful history and recall literary classics, the yearly Christmas decorations bring the area’s natural splendour to even greater heights. And with its city centre location, Middletons Hotel is the perfect base for exploring all the wonderful Christmas celebrations to be found in York. Here are a few of our favourite seasonal wonders for you to enjoy this winter.
Explore the markets
A special occasion to visit this year that makes this yearly joy even more memorable, this year’s Christmas Market marks the 30th anniversary of St Nicholas Fair, a staple of York’s streets in the festive period since 1992. An experience that produces plenty of magical memories for visitors, the famous alpine chalets will line Parliament Street and St Sampsons Square to create a truly wonderful winter wonderland. Along with festive delights to enjoy from local traders and artisans, this year will see the debut of the Winter Hutte. Offering a “Swiss with a Twist” dining experience from one of York’s most popular chefs, Michelin-star winning Andrew Pern, visitors will also enjoy a festive bar area serving spiced cider and gluhwein.
Distance from hotel by foot
0.6 miles, 12 minutes
Create your own Christmas Chocolate Cottage
With its proud history as a pioneer in the world of confectionery, Christmas marks a wonderful time to explore the delicious local treats of York. And at York Coca House, you’ll have the opportunity to become a chocolatier yourself! As a well-known chocolate manufactory, York Cocoa House has been providing residents and visitors with delicious treats for years. This Christmas, they will be hosting a fantastic workshop where you’ll learn how to make your very own Chocolate Christmas Cottage, with delightful individual details to make your cottage your own.
Distance from hotel by foot
0.4 miles, 8 minutes
See the trees
One of York’s most famous landmarks, the York Minster provides an extraordinary experience for visitors throughout the year. But as a renowned sacred place of worship, Christmas is when the historic building truly shines. Within this medieval Marvel will be the York Minster Christmas Tree Festival, with around 40 trees on display in the cathedral’s wonderful Chapter House and Lady Chapel. Wonderfully decorated with individual themes by local businesses, schools and charities, visitors will be able to see wander through the halls and see the trees in all their glory. You’ll also have the chance to add your own Christmas message to a tag on the festival’s prayer trees.
Distance from hotel by foot
0.8 miles, 16 minutes
Walk with the ghosts
York has a long history of spooky & spiritual tales and stories, with plenty of tours and walks through the year to explore. For the festive season, the renowned guided walks company Death in a Chocolate Box is presenting its Ghosts of Christmas Past tour. Discover the dark and sordid fables of murder and tragedy amongst the scenic seasonal decorations of York’s cobbled streets. Listen to Lady Brigante share tales of ordinary folk, including the retired cobbler, the tragic war wife, and a dreadful river accident.
Distance from hotel by foot
0.6 miles, 12 minutes