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Not even heavy rain showers and icy temperatures could deter crowds of hundreds from flocking to York this weekend to experience this year’s spectacular ‘Festival of Angels’ and catch a little of the Christmas magic York has to offer.
Since its beginnings in 2000, the Festival of Angels has been a highlight of the festive season for residents and tourists alike. And with dazzling ice-sculptures ranging from Harry Potter to Happy Feet, al fresco dining, outdoor entertainment and a guaranteed dusting of snow, it’s easy to see why this winter’s festival has remained as popular as ever.
Arranged by the traders of the Minster Quarter as a thank you to their customers for the past year, the two-day festival was a perfect opportunity to browse the unique shops of the city centre’s quaint back-streets for Christmas gifts and sample the local food and drink on offer (you could even try a cup of Baileys delivered straight from an ice sculpture of Santa Claus!).
With every turn down the cobbled streets came more magnificent ice sculptures, crafted with such crisp precision that both children and adults were hard pressed to believe they were made from nothing more than frozen water. Even when some began to melt in the rain, new and different sculptures were brought in that had been carefully chiselled away in front of the crowds throughout the day.
For this December weekend, the Minster Quarter truly became a winter wonderland. With chestnuts roasting, mulled wine steaming and carols playing in a flurry of snow all surrounded by ice figures and the buzz of Christmas shoppers, what was not to like?
The Festival of Angels most certainly showed that the spirit of yuletide is very much alive and well in the city of York.
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