York's famous Christmas Festival and Fair is one of the most highly rated in the UK - and probably one of the most picturesque too.
Set in the centre of the historic cathedral city, it sees streets in the centre transformed into a Christmas wonderland.
Also known as the St Nicholas Fair, it used to be held over a single weekend in November, but it has since been extended to the whole of the Christmas period.
You'll find most of the market over on Parliament Street, but you will also find traditional chalets dotted about in Coppergate, and around the corner in the undercover market area.
There's also the Made in Yorkshire Yuletide Village where you can discover local traders and crafters.
Families with children will also find a Santa's grotto close to the Jorvik Viking Centre, and a traditional fun fair over at Kings Square - complete with helter skelter.
You can sample festive food and drink at the St Sampson’s Square rustic Yorkshire Barn with delicious treats including hot chestnuts and glasses of warming mulled wine.
This award winning event won Best Large Speciality Market at the Great British Market Awards in 2019 and York was also voted the UK's Most Festive City in 2017. So it's definitely worth a trip if you really want to soak up some seasonal atmosphere.
Where:
Parliament Street, York, YO1 8SG
Opening dates:
November 14 - December 22, 2019
Opening times:
| Day | open | close |
| Monday - Wednesday | 10:00 | - 18:00 |
| Thursday - Saturday | 10:00 | - 20:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00 | - 18:00 |
Entry price: Free
Number of stalls: 40+
How to get there:
Take the train and you're looking at a journey of up to 90 minutes from Manchester to York direct. Trains run from Victoria and Piccadilly roughly twice an hour. You can check out train times here .
If you're planning on driving, it's around 90 minutes from Manchester to York, depending on traffic, of course.
Take the M62 towards Leeds, coming off at junction 29 for the M1 north exit. Come off the M1 at junction 44 joining the A64 into York.
Parking:
York has six park and ride sites which run between 7am and 8pm Monday to Saturday and 9.30am to 6pm on Sundays.
A return ticket costs £3.20.
There are pick up points at: Askham Bar, Designer Outlet, Grimston Bar, Monks Cross, Poppleton Bar, Rawcliffe Bar and the Hospital Park & Ride.
If you want to drive in there is city centre parking available at:
NCP Car Park York Tanner Row, YO1 6JL
NCP Car Park York Station South, YO24 1AD
Car Park York Commuter Station, YO26 4XJ
Q-Park Shambles, YO1 7NT
Monk Bar Car Park, YO31 7QR
Piccadilly Yard Car Park, YO1 9NX
