Yuletide York - A Round-up of Christmas Markets and Festivities in Medieval York

The images and sounds of the Middle Ages - in the imaginary, Romantic version at any rate - beautifully lend themselves to the festive sparkle of the holiday season. Perhaps that is why York which, despite its Roman and Viking origins still the most Medieval of English cities, can turn itself into such a Christmassy place.

From late November onward, within the walls of York and overlooked by Northern Europe's largest Medieval Gothic Cathedral, this is England's "Christmas Central" .

Yuletide York

If you're traveling in England during the Christmas holiday season, head to York for some of England's best seasonal events, starting with a clutch of atmospheric Christmas markets:

• St. Nicholas Fayre
• St. Nicholas Fayre Medieval Market
• Children's Christmas Fayre
• International Christmas Market
• The Barley Hall Christmas Fayres
• Made in Yorkshire Christmas Crafts Fayre
• Christmas Farmers' Market

In The Spirit of the Season

• The Christmas Early Music Festival - York is home of the National Centre for Early Music, within the city walls. The festival, at the beginning of December (in 2007 December 6 to 10), fills several churches, and the Chapter House of York Minster, with Medieval and Baroque music.
• The Festival of Angels - A two-day free festival (8-9 December 2007) sponsored by the merchants of The Quarter, featuring ice sculptures, refreshments and a sifting of snow from the rooftops (This artificial touch is the only snow you are likely to see in Yorkshire at that time of year).
• The Minster Family Carol Concert - Listening, and singing carols in York's sublime Cathedral is one of the highlights of York's Advent season (12 December in 2008). There is an admission charge for this event

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