YORK Ice Trail, Make It York’s annual “free weekend of frosty fun”, returns on February 1 and 2 with a 2025 theme of Origins as York’s streets are turned into an icy wonderland of frozen tableau.
Among the 30 ice sculptures showcasing 2,000 years of city history will be a Roman shield, a Viking helmet, a chocolate bar, a drifting ghost, a majestic train and a Yorkshire rose, all captured in the language of ice by ice sculpture specialists Icebox.
The ice sculptures will bring captivating tales to life, each telling a story from York’s rich heritage or depicting a moment of celebration or a creature that lived long ago.
On display too will be an origin block of ice, showing how each ice sculpture starts before Icebox’s team of professional ice carvers bring designs to life.
From 12 noon each day, visitors can experience the thrill of live ice carving demonstrations at St Sampson’s Square, where expert sculptors from Icebox will transform raw blocks of ice into works of art before your eyes.
Throughout the weekend, the grounds of Middletons Hotel will be transformed into The Sweeter Side of Life in a family-friendly showcase of four ice sculptures, including Sweet Like Chocolate, dedicated to the heritage of the hotel’s Sir Terry Alms Cottages. Look out too for The Ice Wall, where you can “‘freeze” yourself in a perfect photo moment.
York BID will be journeying back 2.4 million years to the Ice Age to present five prehistoric animals, once thriving in the frozen era but now extinct, brought to life anew in sculptural form.
Make It York managing director Sarah Loftus says: “We’re so excited for the York Ice Trail weekend! With these stunning ice creations set to transform the city, we can’t wait to see the incredible artistry and imagination that will bring the Origins theme to life.
“We’re incredibly grateful to all the local businesses whose support makes the York Ice Trail possible. Their contributions are essential to bringing this beloved event to life, and we couldn’t do it without them. See you there!”
Icebox managing director Greg Pittard says: “We are so excited to be returning to York this year with 30 spectacular ice sculptures, each telling a different story. With years of experience and a passion for creating ice masterpieces, Icebox takes pride in turning ordinary gatherings into extraordinary experiences.
“Our team of talented artisans worked closely with Make It York and partners to craft custom ice sculptures that reflect their unique vision, making this York Ice Trail an exceptional one that guests will talk about for years to come. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, you’ll thank us for this mesmerising experience!”
Full details can be found at visityork.org/york-ice-trail.
The sculptures for York Ice Trail 2025:
Ice Ice Baby (Neon Selfie Point), Parliament Street – Provided by Make It York
Reawakening The Stories Of The Past, Parliament Street – Provided by Murton
Park Minster To Metropolis, Parliament Street – Provided by Grand Central
House Of Mouse, Church Street – Provided by Mr Chippy and City Cruises
York’s Chocolate Story-book, King’s Square – Provided by York’s Chocolate Story
Ouroboros, Shambles – Provided by The Society Of Alchemists
Prehistoric Mixie Monster, Parliament Street – Provided by YorkMix Radio
Woolly Mammoth, Fossgate – Provided by York BID
The Former Airspeed Factory, Piccadilly – Provided by SPARK: York (open from 12 noon)
Woolly Rhino, Tower Street – Provided by York BID
Coppergate Centre – 40 Years Old, Coppergate Centre – Provided by Coppergate Centre
Ate O’Clock Is 8!, High Ousegate – Provided by Ate O’Clock
From Needle & Thread, Peter Lane – Provided by Gillies Fabrics
The Ice Wall, Middletons Hotel – Provided by Make It York
The Chocolate Orange, Middletons Hotel – Provided by Icebox
City Of Treats, Middletons Hotel – Provided by Middletons Hotel
Sweet Like Chocolate, Middletons Hotel – Provided by Middletons Hotel
Glyptondon, Micklegate – Provided by York BID
Milner York: Ringing New Beginnings, The Milner York – Provided by The Milner York (formally The Principal York)
A Grand Journey, Station Rise – Provided by The Grand, York
Giant Ground Sloth, Tanner’s Moat – Provided by York BID
The Hobbits, Lendal – Provided by The Judge’s Lodging
Star Carr Stone Age Headdress, Museum Gardens – Provided by York Museums Trust
Where It All Began, Exhibition Square – Provided by North York Moors National Park
50 Years Of Railway Legends, High Petergate – Provided by National Railway Museum
At The Cutting Edge, Minster Yard (Minster Stoneyard) – Provided by York Minster
Dodo, Goodramgate – Provided by York BID York
Daffodil, Low Petergate – Provided by Bradley’s Jewellers, York
Soak In Yorkshire, Blake Street – Provided by Yorkshire Soap Company
No Longboat? No Problem, St Helen’s Square – Provided by York Park & Ride
Bettys Craft Bakery, Davygate – Provided by Bettys
Live Ice Carving From 12pm, St Sampson’s Square – Provided by Make It York