Get ready for a free weekend of frosty fun as York’s much-loved Ice Trail returns on 1 and 2 February!
The first glimpse hints at this year’s enchanting theme “Origins” and the creative storytelling that will transform York’s historic streets into an icy wonderland.
The sculpture offers a first glimpse into York’s rich and iconic history, beautifully captured in a frozen masterpiece. From a Roman shield to a Viking helmet, it showcases the city’s 2,000-year past. A chocolate bar evokes York’s sweet legacy, while a drifting ghost embodies York’s most haunted status. A majestic, frosty train symbolizes the city’s progress and adventure, and at the centre, a Yorkshire Rose blooms proudly. This frozen tableau seamlessly weaves together diverse symbols, each telling its unique story of York in the language of ice.
Organised by Make It York, York Ice Trail is part of our commitment to facilitating world-class cultural and creative events.
This year’s trail will feature 30 stunning sculptures, crafted by Icebox – the leading ice sculpture specialists in the UK and Europe.
The dazzling ice sculptures will bring captivating tales to life. Each icy masterpiece tells a story of its own, from York’s rich heritage and moments of celebrations to creatures that lived long ago.
On display will also be an origin block of ice – how each ice sculpture starts before Icebox’s team of professional ice carvers bring designs to life, creating the magnificent sculptures for York Ice Trail!
Visitors can also experience the thrill of live ice carving demonstrations at St Sampson’s Square from 12pm, where expert sculptors from Icebox will transform raw blocks of ice into works of art before your eyes.
Throughout the weekend, the beautiful grounds of Middletons Hotel will be transformed into ‘The Sweeter Side of Life’. It will be a family-friendly showcase of four ice sculptures including, ‘Sweet Like Chocolate’ – a spectacular ice sculpture dedicated to the heritage of the hotel’s Sir Terry Alms Cottages. You’ll also find ‘The Ice Wall’ where you can ‘freeze’ yourself for that perfect photo moment.
York BID have journeyed back 2.4 million years to the Ice Age. Five incredible animals, once thriving in the frozen era but now extinct, have been brought to life in stunning ice sculptures. What better way to honour these creatures of the cold than through dazzling ice art and to discover these frosty prehistoric wonders in York!
Prepare to be amazed as York’s ancient streets come alive with frosty unforgettable stories!
Sarah Loftus, Managing Director of Make It York, said:
“We’re so excited for the York Ice Trail weekend! With these stunning ice creations set to transform the city, we can’t wait to see the incredible artistry and imagination that will bring the “Origins” theme to life.
We’re incredibly grateful to all the local businesses whose support makes the York Ice Trail possible. Their contributions are essential to bringing this beloved event to life, and we couldn’t do it without them. See you there!”
Greg Pittard, Managing Director at Icebox, said:
“We are so excited to be returning to York this year with 30 spectacular ice sculptures, each telling a different story. With years of experience and a passion for creating ice masterpieces, Icebox takes pride in turning ordinary gatherings into extraordinary experiences.
Our team of talented artisans worked closely with Make It York and partners to craft custom ice sculptures that reflect their unique vision, making this York Ice Trail an exceptional one that guests will talk about for years to come. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, you’ll thank us for this mesmerising experience!”
All details can be found at visityork.org/york-ice-trail
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Full list of sculptures for York Ice Trail 2025:
1. Ice Ice Baby (Neon Selfie Point), Parliament Street – Provided by Make It York
2. Reawakening The Stories Of The Past, Parliament Street – Provided by Murton Park
3. Minster To Metropolis, Parliament Street – Provided by Grand Central
4. House Of Mouse, Church Street – Provided by Mr Chippy and City Cruises
5. York’s Chocolate Story-book, King’s Square – Provided by York’s Chocolate Story
6. Ouroboros, Shambles – Provided by The Society Of Alchemists
7. Prehistoric Mixie Monster, Parliament Street – Provided by YorkMix Radio
8. Woolly Mammoth, Fossgate – Provided by York BID
9. The Former Airspeed Factory, Piccadilly – Provided by SPARK: York (open from 12pm)
10. Woolly Rhino, Tower Street – Provided by York BID
11. Coppergate Centre – 40 Years Old, Coppergate Centre – Provided by Coppergate Centre
12. Ate O’Clock Is 8!, High Ousegate – Provided by Ate O’Clock
13. From Needle & Thread, Peter Lane – Provided by Gillies Fabrics
14. The Ice Wall, Middletons Hotel – Provided by Make It York
15. The Chocolate Orange, Middletons Hotel – Provided by Icebox
16. City Of Treats, Middletons Hotel – Provided by Middletons Hotel
17. Sweet Like Chocolate, Middletons Hotel – Provided by Middletons Hotel
18. Glyptondon, Micklegate – Provided by York BID
19. Milner York: Ringing New Beginnings, The Milner York – Provided by The Milner York (formally The Principal York)
20. A Grand Journey, Station Rise – Provided by The Grand, York
21. Giant Ground Sloth, Tanner’s Moat – Provided by York BID
22. The Hobbits, Lendal – Provided by The Judge’s Lodging
23. Star Carr Stone Age Headdress, Museum Gardens – Provided by York Museums Trust
24. Where It All Began, Exhibition Square – Provided by North York Moors National Park
25. 50 Years Of Railway Legends, High Petergate – Provided by National Railway Museum
26. At The Cutting Edge, Minster Yard (Minster Stoneyard) – Provided by York Minster
27. Dodo, Goodramgate – Provided by York BID
28. York Daffodil, Low Petergate – Provided by Bradley’s Jewellers, York
29. Soak In Yorkshire, Blake Street – Provided by Yorkshire Soap Company
30. No Longboat? No Problem, St Helen’s Square – Provided by York Park & Ride
31. Bettys Craft Bakery, Davygate – Provided by Bettys
32. Live Ice Carving From 12pm, St Sampson’s Square – Provided by Make It York
#YorkIceTrail
Notes to Editors
PRESS RELEASE: 8 January 2025
Download images – Photo Credit: Daniel Easton
York Ice Trail is a free event open to all on 1 and 2 February 2025 from 10.30am to 4pm.
York Ice Trail 2024 saw over 67,000 visitors to the city over the weekend of the event with 87% visiting York specifically for the trail. The online survey showed that 9 out of 10 visitors would recommend the trail to family and friends, and would want to return for the next Ice Trail. The free trail also had a positive impact on businesses in the city, with 75% of visitors eating out or drinking in cafes, bars and restaurant, plus 50% were likely to go shopping.
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, and delivering the city’s ground-breaking cultural strategy. MakeItYork.com
About Visit York
Visit York is a part of Make It York and is the leisure tourism brand. Under the brand Visit York, Make It York’s aim is to market York as a must-see world-class destination to the leisure and business visitor and ensure investment to develop the quality of tourism in York. Activity covers all aspects of tourism marketing and PR, including market intelligence, as well as providing business support through the membership programme. Visit York operate the Visit York Pass, York’s city-sightseeing card, and run the Visitor Information Centre. VisitYork.org
About Icebox
Icebox is the UK and Europe’s leading ice specialists, renowned for pushing boundaries while delivering unparalleled style and creativity. Their expertise lies in crafting flawless ice sculptures, captivating live carvings, and immersive ice masterclasses. With a commitment to excellence, we bring unique experiences to life for clients across the UK and overseas, making every event extraordinary. theicebox.com
