Christmas in York: A Student's Guide to the Festivities

About the author: My name is Lucie Waring, I'm 20 years old and a 3rd year BA Digital Media and Society student at the University of Sheffield, though I'm currently on a placement year. I am originally from York, but I'm now going into my third year living in Sheffield – so I'm therefore now a self-proclaimed expert on Sheffield student life, from the best coffee shops and parks to the nightlife. While at university I am a member of many societies that I love to attend with friends and partake in fun social events!

It’s November, so that means that the Christmas season is looming and the festivities are finessing. If you're a student living in York and are in search of ways to celebrate the Christmas season, this guide will inform you on the merriest methods to commemorate the holidays. From classic Christmas markets to ice skating rinks, there's a range of options in York to splurge on – it’s Christmas after all, the student budget is out the frosted window.

York Christmas Market

Running from November 13th to December 21st, the York Christmas Market is based down the city centre's Parliament Street and showcases stalls from independent sellers, from crafts and ideal gifts to staple chain restaurants with seasonal specials and treats.

Grab a famous Bailey’s hot chocolate from the Chocolate Circus which is known for its extravagant creations, landing a permanent spot on the markets every year. Local restaurant Lucia has also been a successful addition to the market stalls in recent years, with their popular pop up serving cheese-wheel pasta to line your stomach before  you head for a mulled wine.

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland

Located just outside of the city at York Designer Outlet McArthurGlen is York’s own North Pole. Yorkshire's Winter Wonderland is a perfect Christmas evening outing for all ages, with a festive-themed outdoor ice rink for skaters of all levels to test out their skills on the ice. Burn off some energy and adrenaline after some Christmas shopping in the outlets, and then warm up post-skate with a hot chocolate at the Chalet café, with themed drinks and food to keep up jolly spirits. It also makes for a great Instagram post with their snow coated trees and après theming providing all the festive vibes.

If you have younger family members visiting in the holiday period, this may also be the ideal place to bring them to meet THE REAL Santa Claus in his Enchanted Woodland – so you can be crowned the best older sibling and forgiven for your absence whilst away at university. You might even be able to tell old St Nick your Christmas wish yourself (however, I don’t think he can write your dissertation for you, unfortunately).

Monk Bar Chocolatiers Chocolate Shots

Viral all over social media and TikTok are Monk Bar Chocolatiers of York and their famous melted chocolate shots that are served in an edible chocolate shot cup. Selling for only £3 and served in milk, dark, or white chocolate, these shots are a much more festive and wholesome sweet-treat switch-up from your usual student night shots and will provide the perfect fix for a sweet tooth craving to indulge in this Christmas. Monk Bar Chocolatiers may be hidden down the cobbled York Shambles, but it's not hard to miss the crowds teeming around it.

York Castle Museum

Any history students reading? If you are, you’re in luck – but if not, this is still just as exciting and festive for anyone looking for an alternative Christmas activity to the usual markets and shopping. York Castle Museum is having a Christmas makeover from 15th November to 4th January to show Christmas through the years, from as early as the 17th century.

Head here for a more educational festivity to make the deadline season more bearable and be transported back in time to a Christmas where ChatGPT couldn’t submit your December deadlines for you. They even do reduced student tickets for £15.30 if you’ve already blown all your December budget on the flat’s Secret Santa (but if you haven’t, check out our guide to Secret Santa here).

Our UniHomes Content Ambassadors are current students across the UK who share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. If you're interested in writing for our programme, click here for more details.

Whilst you’re out having fun in your new uni city, remember that UniHomes promotes responsible drinking, and any alcohol products featured within this article are for ages 18+.

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.