First Look at York Ice Trail 2024

Let your creativity run wild in the’ City Of Dreams’ at York Ice Trail 2024. Organised by Make It York, with main sponsors York Park & Ride and York BID, the hugely popular free event returns on the 3rd and 4th February.

The first look at one of this year’s sculptures has been revealed. Photographed by Charlotte Graham on High Petergate, with the backdrop of the magnificent York Minster, Make It York’s ‘City Of Dreams’ is one of 33 sculptures set to line York’s historic streets during York Ice Trail.  

The grounds of Middletons Hotel will be transformed into a mystical wonka world of chocolate during the trail, including 4 show-stopping sculptures from City Cruises, York Chocolate Story, Potion’s Cauldron and Middletons themselves.   

Discover York BID’s mythical creatures as they roam the city – keep an eye out for the Himalayan Yeti, brave the terrifying Kraken, meet the nine-headed Hydra, take selfies with the majestic Unicorn and marvel at the immortal Phoenix.  

Explore the spectacular skyline of York and London with Grand Central and their sculpture 'A journey in ice', or ‘Fly into York with P&R’ to take a magical bus journey through the clouds from sponsors York Park & Ride.  

Head over to St Sampson’s Square and let the ice sculpturers from Icebox transport you to the Arctic. Watch them work their magic and transform an ice cube into a work of art directly in front of your eyes! 

York Ice Trail 2024 will once again see the ‘coolest’ sculptures around the city, all sponsored and concepted by local businesses. UK and Europe’s leading ice specialists, Icebox will design and create all the sculptures for the 2024 trail for the third year.   

Free York Ice Trail maps will be available from the Visitor Information Centre at 21 Parliament Street or can be downloaded online at visityork.org/york-ice-trail from the end of January. 

Sarah Loftus, Managing Director of Make It York, said: “York Ice Trail is a beautiful event loved by residents and visitors alike. We’re incredibly thankful to all the brilliant local businesses who support the York Ice Trail and to all our sponsors - their support makes it possible for us to keep running these free events in the city. Our ice partners, Icebox, have also done an incredible job at creating these ice sculptures and bringing the ideas to life. We’re excited to shortly be able to unveil these incredible ice creations to the public.” 

Carl Alsop, Operations Manager at York BID, says: “‘We’re excited to be sponsoring York’s Ice Trail, it’s always a great event which attracts both residents and visitors to all areas of our beautiful city. This year York BID have five sculptures in the trail, all depicting well known mythical creatures. Whether you’re taking a photo with our unicorn, or braving a selfie with the kraken, it’s sure to be a memorable weekend.’ 

The last York Ice Trail took place in February 2023 and was a huge success. Over 40,000 visitors came to the city to view the 36 ice sculptures that lined the streets over the weekend. Research commissioned with Qa Research showed that 9 out of 10 visitors would recommend the trail to family and friends, with 4 out of 5 saying they would want to return for the next Ice Trail. 

The free trail also had a positive impact on businesses in the city, with 85% of visitors eating out or drinking in cafes, bars and restaurant, and almost 50% likely to go shopping. 

For more information, visit https://www.visityork.org/york-ice-trail