Go ‘Around The World’ at York Ice Trail 2022

The family-favourite York Ice Trail event returns to the city this winter, with over 40 ice sculptures set to line York’s streets on the 5th and 6th March.

Go travelling ‘Around the World’ with this year’s sculptures, including main sponsor First York’s Park & Ride Bus, which can be ‘boarded’ at Parliament Street. As well as The Bettys Express Train which will be waiting for commuters in Davygate.

This year’s sculptures will transport visitors into other destinations ‘Around the World’ and beyond, including an invitation to ‘go down the rabbit hole’ at Middletons Hotel. Their grounds will be transformed into a wonderland, with four magical ice sculptures and plenty of photo opportunities with Mad Hatter themed props. York BID have seven ice sculptures to find, one for every continent in the world, inspired by seven Disney characters ranging from classic characters to new favourites.

City of York Council’s ‘The York Skyline’ sculpture is a must visit, with famous York landmarks carved into the ice across Exhibition Square.

For international sport lovers, look out for the Rugby League World Cup trophy on Parliament Street in celebration of York being a host city for this autumn’s tournament.

There’ll also be live ice carving at St Sampson’s Square with Ice Box, who create the ice sculptures. Plus, there’ll be opportunities to have a go at ice carving on the graffiti wall in Parliament Street.

The hugely popular event, which saw 31,000 people participating in 2020’s ‘Fantastical Fiction and Fairy Tales’ trail, was cancelled last year due to the pandemic. This year’s event, which was initially set to take place in February, has been postponed to March due to rising Covid-19 cases and based on guidance from the city’s Safety Advisory Group, Public Health and City of York Council.

This March, families and friends will have the opportunity to travel through York’s streets and find over 40 ice sculptures designed and sponsored by local businesses in York.

York Ice Trail is a Make It York event, with main sponsors First York.

Sarah Loftus, Managing Director at Make It York, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing back the much-loved York Ice Trail event for 2022, and although slightly later than planned, it will be worth the wait! After a couple of years where many of us haven’t been able to travel too far, this year’s theme will bring sculptures inspired from ‘around the world’ to the streets of York. There are over 40 ice sculptures to find this year, which have all been kindly sponsored by local businesses.”

Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of the Council, said: “York Ice Trail was, I’m sure, missed by many last year, so it’s excellent to see the much-loved event return once again in March for residents, families and visitors to enjoy safely.

“Our city is well known and loved for its vibrant businesses, so many of whom have joined the festivities this year, with an impressive 40 sculptures set to bring some extra magic to the city. With so many sculptures and ways to get involved, this year’s festival promises to be another unmissable event.”

John Godfrey, Head of Marketing at First York, said: “We’ve been a supporter of the Ice Trail for three years with our own sculpture and know what anticipation and interest the event creates. This builds on our commitment to help people enjoy the leisure and social life York is famous for and look forward to seeing thousands of visitors makes the trip to marvel at the attractions around the city.”

For more information, visit York Ice Trail | Visit York and watch this year’s York Ice Trail promotional video here. #YorkIceTrail

For more information, please contact:

Sarah Foster, Communications Manager at Make It York

Comms@makeityork.com

Notes to Editors

York Ice Trail 2022 is taking place on 5th and 6th March, from 10am. #YorkIceTrail

York Ice Trail is a Make It York event, supported by First York.

About Make It York

Make It York’s purpose is to develop and promote the city and its surroundings – nationally and internationally - as a vibrant and attractive place to live, visit, study, work and do business. Its mission is to grow the economic prosperity and wider wellbeing of York and its citizens. In practice, this means delivering a range of projects and programmes based around our corporate strategic priorities.

These are:

• City positioning and profile-raising
• Ensuring an exciting city centre

• Delivering the city’s ground-breaking Cultural Strategy

York Ice Trail 2022 sculptures:

Around the World, Blake Street – provided by Make It York
The York Skyline, Exhibition Square – Provided by City of York Council
The Queen of Hearts, Lendal – Provided by The Judge’s Lodging
Oceania: Bruce (Nemo), Wellington Row – Provided by York BID
May I Take Your Luggage?, Station Rise – Provided by The Grand, York
Anniversary Oak – Celebrating 70 Years, Station Road – Provided by North York Moors National Park
Leap of Faith by Gudelia Li, Hudson Quarter – Provided by Palace Capital
South America: Kevin (UP), Micklegate – Provided by York BID
The Executioner’s Block, Middletons - Provided by Middletons Hotel
Cheshire Cat, Middletons – Provided by York Gin
The White Rabbit, Middletons – Provided by Middletons Hotel
Mad Hatters Tea Party, Middletons - Provided by Middletons Hotel
Take the Helm, Captain!, Kings Staith – Provided by City Cruises
Penguin on Parade, Tower Street – Provided by York Army Museum

Africa: Simba (Lion King), Castlegate – Provided by York BID

Wanted: Dick Turpin, Spurriergate - Provided by York Dungeons
Big Ben Strikes Ate O’Clock, High Ousegate – Provided by Ate O’Clock
The Vikings, Coppergate Centre – Provided by Coppergate Centre
The Melting Earth, Piccadilly – Provided by Spark: York
Antartica: Olaf (Frozen), Fossgate - Provided by York BID
Europe: Remi (Ratatouille), The Shambles - Provided by York BID
North America: Pepita (Coco), Goodramgate - Provided by York BID
Fabergé’s Trans-Siberian Railway Egg, High Petergate – Provided by National Railway Museum
Eco Rocks Diamon by Kay Bradley, Low Petergate – Provided by Bradleys Jewellers
Waitress, Grape Lane – Provided by Lucia Bar
Atlas the Turtle, Little Stonegate – Provided by Turtle Bay
The Bettys Express Train, Davygate – Provided by Bettys

Heavenly Delight, St Helens Square – Provided by Heavenly Desserts
The Plane, St Helens Square – Provided by The Ivy
Asia: Sisu (Raya and the Last Dragon), Coney Street – Provided by York BID
The Astronaut, Davygate – Provided by Shephard Group
Space Shuttle, Feasegate – Provided by Viewpoint
Live Carving, St Sampson's Square – Provided by York Ice Trail
Cow Print, St Sampson’s Square – Provided by Cut and Craft
Rugby League World Cup Trophy, Parliament Street – Celebrating York as a host city
Norris the Knight, Parliament Street – Provided by York Knights
Flying Carpet in the Market, Shambles Market – Provided by Shambles Market
Bug Count Cash Giveaway, Parliament Street – Provided by York Mix
Wizard Golf Challenge, Parliament Street – Provided by Hole in the Wand
Graffiti Wall, Parliament Street – Provided by York Ice Trail
First York Park & Ride, Parliament Street – Provided by First York