What's On At Yorkshire Winter Wonderland At McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York This Year?

Get ready to dig out the big coats and woolly hats, because one of York’s most beloved Christmas traditions is making a grand return. Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland is officially coming back to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York, and this year is a bit special. The much-loved festive event is celebrating its 20th anniversary, promising a season packed with magical memories for the whole family. From Friday, 14th November 2025, right through to Sunday, 4th January 2026, the designer outlet will be transformed into a proper festive playground. This is the go-to event for anyone looking to enjoy some classic Christmas fun.

A bit of history: 20 years of festive magic

Believe it or not, this wonderful event has been a part of York's Christmas scene for two decades. It all started back in 2005 as 'The Ice Factor', a simple outdoor ice rink near the iconic Clifford’s Tower. Lots of people will remember wobbling around on the ice there! In 2010, the event moved to its current home at the York Designer Outlet, which allowed it to get much bigger. It expanded to include a brilliant funfair and, of course, a cosy grotto for Santa himself. Every single year since, except for a break in 2020, it has been the place to be for festive fun. It's become a tradition for so many, a place where families visit year after year to kick off their Christmas season.

Get your skates on: the massive outdoor ice rink

The main attraction is, without a doubt, the incredible outdoor ice rink. At a whopping 975 square metres, it’s the largest outdoor rink in the North of England. Right in the middle stands a gigantic 30ft Christmas tree, sparkling with lights and decorations, making the whole scene look like something out of a Christmas card. The whole area is surrounded by illuminated trees, so as the sun goes down, the place really twinkles. For anyone who fancies watching rather than skating, there’s a rink-side cafe and a viewing platform. It's the perfect spot to grab a hot chocolate and watch your mates or family glide (or stumble) by. The ice rink is open every day except Christmas Day, with plenty of 45-minute skating sessions available. For those who can't get enough, there’s even a Frequent Skater Pass – visit five times and the sixth skate is free!

More than just skating: funfair thrills for everyone

Next to the ice rink is a fantastic funfair with something for everyone. Adrenaline seekers can have a go on modern rides like the Twist, Waltzer, and Miami. And for a bit of old-school fun, the vintage Dodgems, which date all the way back to 1937, are an absolute classic that every family member can enjoy. Younger visitors haven’t been forgotten, either. There are plenty of gentle rides for little ones, plus game stalls where everyone's a winner. It's a great way to spend an hour or two before or after a skating session, and the lights and sounds of the funfair really add to the festive atmosphere.

Feeling peckish? festive food and drink

All that outdoor activity is bound to make you hungry, and there are plenty of tasty treats available. The Chalet is a cosy, alpine-themed café where you can warm up after your skate. It has an outdoor terrace overlooking the rink and serves everything from warming mulled wine for the grown-ups to delicious hot chocolates for the kids. Inside, you can find a whole menu of winter-warming food and sweet treats. For something a bit different, the German Grill 'bratwursterie' will be serving up gourmet sausages. Just follow the amazing smell! Visitors can enjoy their food in the snowy woodland walk, a cute outdoor eating area with picnic tables and illuminated gingerbread men. It’s a lovely setting for a festive snack.

Don't forget the big man: Santa's grotto is back

A visit to a winter wonderland wouldn't be complete without seeing Santa, and his cosy log cabin grotto is waiting. The journey to meet him takes you through that snowy woodland walk, building up the excitement for the little ones. A warm welcome from Father Christmas and a special gift awaits every child, making it a truly magical experience. Booking a slot to see Santa is recommended, as he’s a very busy man this time of year, especially in December. Tickets for the grotto are now available, so it's a good idea to get that sorted to make sure your family doesn't miss out on this key part of the Christmas event.

What the organisers have to say

The people behind the event are just as excited as everyone else. Paul Tyler, the Centre Manager at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York, shared his thoughts:

“Christmas at York Designer Outlet just wouldn’t be the same without Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland. For many families, the event has become a cherished fixture in their festive calendar, offering fun outdoor activities for all ages to enjoy. We love seeing the joy it brings, and it truly helps spread that festive cheer while people are also able to tick off their Christmas shopping list! The ice rink has become a real pillar of the community, bringing together families, couples, and individuals during the festive season to create lasting memories.”

Georgi Wood, the Event Organiser, also commented on the big anniversary this year:

“We are so excited to be celebrating the milestone of our 20th anniversary this year. So many people have grown up with a visit to the ice rink or funfair as part of their festive celebrations. As always we will have some fun decorations and theming around the site, making Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland the perfect place for the festive selfie and some great winter exercise!”

Tickets, times and all the important bits

Thinking of planning a visit? Here's all the info needed for a smooth booking. Skating tickets are priced at £15.95 for adults and £14.95 for children, with family packages available. For those planning ahead, there’s an Early Bird 20% discount on skating tickets until 30th September – just use the code SKATE20 at the checkout. Autism/quiet skating sessions are also available on Tuesdays at 10.15am until 16th December.

Here are the opening times for Santa's Grotto:

Dates	Days	Times
14 to 27 November	Weekdays	11am – 5pm
28 November	Weekday	10am - 5.30pm
1 to 4 December	Weekdays	11am – 5pm
5 to 19 December	Weekdays	10am - 5.30pm
15 November to 21 December	Saturdays	9.30am – 6pm
15 November to 21 December	Sundays	9.30am – 5.30pm*
22 to 23 December	Weekdays	10am - 6pm
24 December (Christmas Eve)	Weekday	10am – 3pm

*Note: on 16th December, the grotto closes at 5pm.

It's best to book both skating and the grotto online to guarantee a spot. All the tickets are available now for this fantastic festive season at the designer outlet. The whole event is a great way to enjoy Christmas.