York Ice Trail 2026: An Enchanted City

About

York Ice Trail returns on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February 2026, transforming the city with the theme
“An Enchanted City”. Curated by Make It York, this free family-friendly event invites visitors to explore a
magical trail of ice sculptures, interactive installations and immersive experiences across the historic streets.

Event Details

• Dates: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February 2026
• Time: 10.30am to 4pm each day
• Location: Across the city of York
• Price: Free entry

More than 30 intricately carved ice sculptures will be installed across York, each inspired by magic,
mystery and the wonderfully unusual. Visitors are invited to follow the trail, uncover the stories behind each sculpture
and enjoy a programme of engaging activities along the way.

Trail Maps and Family Fun

Trail maps will be available from the Visit York Visitor Information Centre. On completion of the route,
participants can collect a special sticker as a memento of their visit, providing an accessible and enjoyable activity
for families, friends and visitors of all ages.

New for 2026: Enchanted Highlights

Ice Carving Masterclasses

For 2026, visitors can enhance their experience with exclusive Ice Carving Masterclasses, delivered by
professional ice sculptors Icebox. These 40-minute sessions offer:

• Guided instruction from expert sculptors
• The opportunity to carve a polar bear themed ice sculpture
• An accessible experience suitable for beginners
• A unique hands-on activity set within the atmosphere of the live trail

Places are limited, so early booking is recommended for those wishing to secure a carving session.

The Enchanted Ice Village

The Ice Village on Parliament Street will showcase:

• Local artisan makers and independent traders
• Handcrafted gifts, magical keepsakes and themed curiosities
• Street food, sweet treats and warming seasonal drinks

The Ice Village provides a welcoming hub where visitors can relax, shop and soak up the enchanted atmosphere.

New Immersive Photo and Video Moments

The 2026 event introduces two playful new installations designed to capture memorable content:

• Snow Block: A larger-than-life artificial snow block with a 3D snow angel silhouette, offering a fun interactive photo moment for all ages.
• Igloo 360 Camera: An inflatable igloo where visitors can record a 360-degree video postcard, capturing the York Ice Trail from every angle.

These features create ideal opportunities for visitors to document and share their enchanted day in York.

Returning Favourites

Live Ice Carving

The much-admired live ice carving returns, with Icebox sculptors, leading specialists in ice sculpture,
transforming a solid block of ice into an intricate enchanted design using a combination of chisels, chainsaws and expert
technique. This live demonstration offers a fascinating insight into the skill behind each sculpture.

Interactive Ice Wall and Selfie Spots

Visitors can once again enjoy interactive and eye-catching installations, including:

• The Ice Wall: A popular feature that creates the illusion of being frozen inside a shimmering block of ice.
• Ice Ice Baby Neon & Ice Backdrop: A bold, playful selfie point with illuminated signage and refreshed ice panels, creating a standout visual moment.

These returning favourites provide additional ways to capture and remember the trail experience.

Food, Drink and Warming Treats

When it is time to pause, visitors can enjoy:

• Wood fired pizzas
• Loaded fries
• Decadent waffles
• Stacked hot chocolates and other warm drinks

Vendors will be located on Parliament Street alongside the popular Shambles food court, offering a variety of options
to suit different tastes.

Local Businesses and Community Support

Each ice sculpture is proudly sponsored by a local business. Their support helps to bring York Ice Trail to life and
contributes to a vibrant, city-wide celebration that benefits residents, visitors and the local economy. The event’s
success is made possible through this valued collaboration.

Plan a Visit and Share the Experience

Full event details and updates can be found on the official York Ice Trail hub page at
visityork.org/york-ice-trail.

Visitors are encouraged to share their photos and videos across social media by tagging
@visityork and using the hashtag #YorkIceTrail for the chance to be featured.