Accessibility Guide

Make It York is proud to organise many free events and festivals throughout the year for residents and visitors to enjoy. We are committed to ensuring that everyone can participate, with access requirements in place to support those who need it. Below is our accessibility guide to York Christmas Market. 

York Christmas Market is located on Parliament Street and St Samsons Square. The City of York Council has put a number of measures in place in York city centre to improve access for all. 

York Christmas Market 

Parliament Street & St Sampson’s Square, York, YO1 8RY 

01904 551551 

info@makeityork.com 
  

Opening Hours 

10.30am - 7.00pm 

Thursday 13th November – Sunday 21st December 2025 

Public Toilets and Accessible Toilet Provision 

The nearest accessible and standard toilets can be found on Silver St, approx. 40m from the market. Public toilets in York are cleaned and maintained by Healthmatic and you can report any issues on telephone: 01249 823143.  

Toilet locations are outlined below with accessible toilets (require a RADAR key): 

• St Leonard's Place public toilets, St Leonard's Place, Exhibition Square, York, YO1 7EW
• Coppergate Shopping Centre public toilets, Coppergate, York, YO1 9NT
• Nunnery Lane public toilets, Nunnery Lane car park, York, YO23 1AA
• St George's Field public toilets, St George's Field car and coach Park, Castle Mills Bridge, York, YO10 4AB
• Rougier Street public toilets, Rougier Street, York, YO1 6JB
• Silver Street public toilets, Silver Street, York, YO1 8RY
• Union Terrace public toilets, Union Terrace car and coach park, Clarence Street, York, YO31 7ES
• Guildhall - only available 10am - 16:00, 1 - 19 December 2025

Read the full list of public toilets here.

For further information on public toilets in York city centre see City of York Council's list of public toilets. 

Live Well York - For Your Convenience 

Further information about access information around the city centre can be viewed here.

Take A Seat Initiative  

To allow a rest for those in need. The initiative is all about making the city more accessible to older people who may have reduced mobility but want to get out and about. Read more here.

Outside Access 

• All stalls are located on the pedestrian area of Parliament St and St Sampson’s Sq.
• All drop kerbs and tactile crossing points will be maintained.
• Some of the pavement surface is uneven due to tree roots.
• All stalls are either counter service or have a temporary ramp into the stall. 

Read more information regarding accessibility in the city centre. 

To assist pre planning to the event and what to expect when you arrive, we have outlined: 

• All stalls, food and drink concessions are accessible and any raised structures will feature access ramps.
• The revised layout introduced in 2023 allows for much wider paved areas across the site with no enclosed spaces. This greatly improves space for crowd movement which will reduce crowd density.
• Signage will be large, clear and positioned in suitable locations.
• Lighting – the site features a combination of street lighting, Christmas lights and stall/shop lighting – there will be no strobe lighting on site.
• Event staff/Security/Stewards - All stewards and security personal have been briefed to signpost/assist members of the public where possible. If they can’t give you an exact answer they will be able to contact the specific person for your needs who will be able to help.
• First Aid – We have first aid provision for the duration of the market and a first aid point at the Pavement end of Parliament St. If you are in need of urgent medical attention then please contact any member of staff or go to the first aid point. 

Designated Quiet Time 

We understand that York Christmas Market can be a busy event at peak times (especially weekends) which can be overwhelming to some attendees. We are integrating designated quieter periods where music will be minimal for the first couple of hours daily.  

From 10:30am to 12pm daily, visitors can be assured a music-free period. 

Quiet Oasis at St Sampson's Centre 

As part of our commitment to improving access for residents and visitors, Make It York are working in partnership with St Sampson's Centre and City of York Council to deliver a 'Quiet Oasis' during the York Christmas Market. St Sampson's Centre is the perfect venue to provide an accessible space a few meters away from the main market and next to the accessible toilet and Changing Places facilities on Silver Street. 

St Sampson's Centre 
Church Street, York, YO1 8BE 
Open Monday to Saturday, 10am - 4pm 

St Sampson's Centre has been an integral part of York's services for those in need for 50 years. Its main aim is to combat social isolation and loneliness by providing games and activities throughout the year for those who choose to take part. They serve food and drink at low rates and pride themselves on being a safe place that welcomes all. stsampsonscentre.co.uk 

Trader Map

View the list of market traders here to plan ahead your festive shopping. And to add a sprinkle of Christmas magic, we've launched our Trader Map to locate each chalet and stall.

Virtual Christmas Market  

Available from 13 November, you can explore familiar favourites and uncover new treasures, all from the comfort of your own home.  

Public Transport 

York’s local bus services are the most efficient way to travel to and within the city, and you can plan ahead at itravelyork.info. In addition, with York Park & Ride you can park securely for free at one of six sites around the city and catch one of the frequent electric buses into the city centre. Find details at firstbus.co.uk/york 

Shopmobility 

Shopmobility York staff are volunteering their time to open on Sundays while the Christmas Market is on for customers to hire its mobility aids between 12 November and 21 December. 

Shopmobility York is based on the top floor of Piccadilly Car Park and offers low-cost hire of mobility scooters, powerchairs and wheelchairs. Its customers benefit from free parking, an accessible toilet and easy access via a lift to Fenwick and the Coppergate Centre. From there, the rest of the city centre is just an easy ride away. 

Age Friendly York

Click here to read how the City of York Council are working towards an age friendly city.

Counter Terrorism Barriers 

New permanent protective security barriers are now in operation across the city. They are necessary to protect people attending and working in the Christmas Markets, and the visitors and residents enjoying the city over the festive season and all year round. 

York Christmas Markets take your safety and security seriously. That’s why we’re supporting Counter Terrorism Policing’s campaign to encourage everyone to help keep each other safe this winter. We have security measures you can see and, of course, ones you can’t. We ask you to help by staying alert and trusting your instincts. While you’re with us, you will see our security team / stewards / staff, who are there to help you if you need it. 

If something doesn’t feel right, tell them straight away and they will do the rest. You won’t be wasting our time. In an emergency, call 999. Let’s keep each other safe. 
  

If you would like to discuss access requirements for York Christmas Market, please email events@makeityork.com 
 

City of York Council works in partnership with AccessAble to give you the detailed information you need to work out if a place is going to be accessible to you. 

AccessAble’s Detailed Access Guides tell you all about a venue's access – hotels and guest houses, places to eat and drink, places to visit and much more. They are 100% facts, figures and photographs. We know everyone's accessibility needs are different, which is why having detailed, accurate information is so important. It's why AccessAble send trained surveyors to check out every single place in person and why the information collected has all been decided by the people who use it. 

Check out access information for York - before you leave home or on the move using AccessAble’s App and website.