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Contributed to The Yorker's Christmas Advent Calendar by the Lifestyle section.
The Coca-Cola advertisement has aired; Tang Hall is aglow with a thousand fluorescent Santas and tiny fir trees line the Shambles: it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Hardly surprising, considering York was announced to be the most Christmassy city in the UK earlier this year.
York, with its thousand cosy pubs offering mulled wine by a crackling fire; its beautiful illuminations and its merry buskers, is a fantastic place to be in the run-up to Christmas, brimming with seasonal cheer. Before December had even arrived, St Nicholas Fayre put locals and visitors alike in the yuletide mood. With men in top hats selling hot chocolate and roasted nuts and the smell of spiced cider filling the air, York’s old-world charm worked in its favour, awakening a feeling of a traditional Victorian Christmas. As well as the usual ‘made in Yorkshire’ goodies, including sloe gin and chilli jam, there were stalls selling personalised wooden gifts, Christmas decorations, toys and more.
If you missed the St Nicholas Fayre, never fear: there’s plenty more going on to get you in the Christmas spirit. From the 3rd to the 18th December there’s another Festive Fayre in Parliament Street, featuring local produce, gifts and, on the 4th December, a special appearance from the iconic Coca-Cola Christmas truck. If you’re willing to go a little further afield for a dose of Christmas merriment, take a trip to Leeds’ Millennium Square where its German Christkindelmarkt runs until the 18th December, providing a great day out as well as an opportunity to purchase some slightly more unusual Christmas treats such as Stollen and Lebkuchen. Back on campus, there’s the RAG Winter Wonderland at Vanbrugh Paradise on the 3rd and 4th December, with an artificial ice rink, festive market and performances from various university societies and bands.
Frenzied, last-minute shopping is another integral part of Christmas which York caters for, as the stores stay open until late every Thursday until Christmas, so you can beat the hordes and buy your presents at a time when you’re sure to be awake. For the more dedicated shopper there is, of course, York’s designer outlet, which has the added draw of an ice rink, opened on 26th November by Torvill and Dean.
Tomorrow sees the York Vintage Christmas fair take place at St. Williams College (next to the Minster), a great chance to get ahead on your Christmas shopping, or just treat yourself.
Unfortunately, tickets for the Minster Carol Concert have sold out, but if you want to enjoy your favourite carols there is no better place than the Barbican’s Carols by Candlelight on 16th December, which will be performed in full 18th Century costume ‘in an evocative candle-lit style setting,’ which is sure to be beautiful. Equally traditional at Christmas is a pantomime, and this year you can choose between Aladdin at the Grand Opera House and York Family Robinson at the Theatre Royal.
York at Christmas has something to offer everyone, whether you’re a festive fan or a Scrooge. If all the markets, grottoes and carol singers get too much, take some time to get away from it all on the Yorkshire Wheel, coming to the grounds of the Royal York Hotel from the 10th December, and get a view of York laid out in all its Christmas finery.
For yesterday's Advent Calendar article, click here
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