As the award-winning ice rink Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland celebrates over one million skaters since its debut in York two decades ago, the organisers have announced its return to Designer Outlet York for a 21st season.
The attraction boasts the largest outdoor ice rink in the north of England, a thrilling funfair, magical Santa’s Grotto and cosy alpine Chalet.
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland will open from Friday 13th November 2026 until Sunday 3rd January 2027. Tickets are now on sale at www.yorkshireswinterwonderland.com with Early Bird 20% discounts applying until 30th September.
Attracting visitors from far and wide, Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland has become firmly established as one of the top ice rinks in the country, with 975 sq m of real ice and a showstopping 30ft high Christmas tree at its centre. This year the rink will have a landscaped woodland scene as its backdrop, featuring giant trees edged with ever-changing colourful neon ropes bringing them to life, as well as glowing Christmas Bauble trees, creating a stunning setting for winter skating. The illuminations have been designed by the team behind Aglow! at Bishop Auckland, the leading Christmas light trail in the North.
Other new features of the event this year include a re-designed Alpine Chalet café with an evening bar and a performance stage hosting live music, fun theme nights throughout the season, and an outdoor area with real fire marshmallow pits for a cosy festive experience.
The extra-thick glistening ice rink utilises the latest ice technology to provide a premium skating experience, and is operated by the most experienced team in the north. It is open every day except Christmas Day, offering eleven 45-minute skating sessions during the day. For those wishing to make the most of the season, a Frequent Skater Pass enables skaters to collect a stamp from the box office over five sessions and enjoy the 6th visit for free.
The cosy rink-side Chalet’s new look includes a wooden façade with red-shuttered windows lending an authentic Alpine look to the wintery scene. Inside, cosy curtained windows and a fireplace, together with sheepskin-covered stools around coffee tables create the perfect place to warm up before or after a skating session, or for non-skaters to relax and watch all the action. The fully-licensed Chalet serves an all-day menu of tasty winter-warming food and sweet treats, hot and cold drinks, as well as the best hot chocolate in town and seasonal favourites such as mulled wine and prosecco.
As evening draws in, the lighting dims and the Chalet morphs into an après-skate bar. In front of the fireplace a performance stage will host a variety of live music acts across the seven-week season, tying in with theme nights such as Fizz and Fondue, Acoustic and Aperol, and Charcuterie and Cocktails. Private parties can also be arranged, for skaters and non-skaters alike.
Outside, a specially constructed pit with real fire will offer marshmallows to toast, creating a cosy social scene, and the German Grill ‘bratwursterie’ is sure to tickle the taste buds with the scent of grilling gourmet sausages, mulled wine and hot chocolate. Individual wooden picnic cabins decorated with festive touches make the ideal spot to enjoy a bite and take in the snow-sprinkled Enchanted Woodland with its illuminated gingerbread men.
The funfair offers fun for all ages. For speedsters and thrill-seekers there’s the ever-popular Waltzer, a Miami as well as a ‘twist-and-scream’ Twister, and making a welcome return is everybody’s favourite ride – the Brooklands Dodgems dating from 1937, a vintage masterpiece from the golden era of fairgrounds.
Younger visitors will be enthralled by four children’s rides, including the Jets and Train rides, the beautiful vintage Muffin the Mule Autodrome and the Toy Set. Plus there’s game stalls offering a prize every time, so everyone goes home happy!
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a visit to Santa and his elves. Families can soak up the festive atmosphere as they follow a sparkling trail of twinkling lights and snow-covered Christmas trees on their way to Santa’s Cabin. After meeting Santa and receiving a special gift, visitors can also support the annual Toy Appeal, helping bring Christmas magic to local children and families living in need across York & Selby.
And with free parking, Designer Outlet York is the ideal destination for Christmas shopping. From seasonal fashion and sportswear to designer accessories, beauty and homeware, visitors can discover gifts for everyone on their list. Home to more than 100 designer and premium brands, including Levi’s, Clarins, UGG, Coach, adidas and Sweaty Betty, shoppers can enjoy savings of up to 60% off the recommended retail price. Those travelling in groups can also enjoy special Christmas cheer with an additional 10% discount at participating stores when they pre-book online (yorkdesigneroutlet.com).
Paul Tyler, Centre Manager at Designer Outlet York comments:
“Christmas at Designer Outlet York just wouldn’t be the same without Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland. For many families, the event has become a cherished fixture in their festive calendar, offering fun outdoor activities for all ages to enjoy. We love seeing the joy it brings, and it truly helps spread that festive cheer while people are also able to tick off their Christmas shopping list! The ice rink has become a real pillar of the community, bringing together families, couples, and individuals during the festive season to create lasting memories.”
Jennifer Rojko, Event Organiser of Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland also comments:
“Every year we get excited about bringing York’s favourite Christmas event back to the Designer Outlet and unveiling our new ideas and festive touches. This season promises to be as colourful as ever, and our new look Chalet with its live music and theme nights will bring a new buzz to the event. Not only do we offer great winter exercise and fun for all the family, but with free parking and superb shopping Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland makes a great day – and evening – out!”
Booking Information:
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland is located at the South Entrance of Designer Outlet York. Tickets for a 45-minute skating session are priced at £16.45 for adults and £15.45 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 £16.45. Special packages are also available for parties, schools, clubs and youth groups, with discounts applying to groups of 20 or more. Autism/quiet skating sessions are on Tuesdays at 12.15am until 8th December, in line with the Designer Outlet’s Autism Friendly Hours.
Booking is recommended for the ice rink, and an Early Bird discount of 20% off these prices (excluding schools and clubs) is available now until 30th September, by using the code SKATE20 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.
Reservations to visit Santa are open now either through www.yorkshireswinterwonderland.com or directly at www.bookfatherchristmas.co.uk/York. Tickets are priced at £7 per child with £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
20 Nov to 4 Dec: 11am – 5pm
7 Dec to 18 Dec: 10am – 5.30pm
21 Dec to 23 Dec: 9:30am – 6pm
Weekends
Saturdays: 9.30am – 6pm
Sundays: 9.30am – 5.30pm
Christmas Eve
10am – 3pm
Funfair Tokens for the funfair can be purchased on-site.
For full details of prices and times visit www.yorkshireswinterwonderland.com
