The festival, which will open on Saturday 3 December with a special service for families, will feature nearly 40 trees decorated by local businesses, schools and charities set inside the cathedral’s stunning Chapter House and Lady Chapel.
Visitors will be able to see the trees decorated to individual themes, vote for their favourite tree in a ‘best dressed tree’ competition and add their own Christmas message to a tag to hang on one of the festival’s prayer trees.
The festival will open at 10am on Saturday 3 December with a special Saturday Mornings at York Minster session for families, which will include a short service in celebration of the festival opening.
Neil Sanderson, Director of the York Minster Fund, said: “We’re delighted to see the Christmas Tree Festival return for a second year following the success of the 2021 event.
“This year the festival will take place inside the Minster, with trees set inside the spectacular, medieval Chapter House and Lady Chapel.
“Nearly 40 trees will be decorated to individual themes, taking inspiration from a range of topics including seasonal stories, nature and festive traditions, and featuring diverse decorations from handcrafted items, to mythical creatures and Yorkshire inspired decorations. We hope the event will again spread some seasonal cheer while supporting one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals.”
The trees for the festival have been provided by award-winning local company York Christmas Trees.
Throughout the festival’s run, visitors will be able to vote for their favourite tree with the winning charity or school receiving a £200 prize and the winning business £200 to donate to a charity of their choice.
The Christmas Tree Festival will run from Saturday 3 December 2022 to Thursday 5 January 2023 during general admission times (please check opening times on the website before visiting). Entry is included with general admission (general admission is free for York residents with proof of address).
The festival forms part of a busy programme of services and events at the cathedral to mark Advent and Christmas. For full details visit yorkminster.org/whats-on/.
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