THE DATE may have changed, but this year's York Ice Trail will be the biggest in the UK, and feature brand new attractions.

Myths and Legends will be the theme of 2019, and will celebrate Chinese New Year with Chinese dancers, 50 ice sculptures across the city, and a brand new ice carving wall in Parliament Street.

While previous events have regularly been held in December, this year's event - sponsored by York BID and organised by Make It York - will be held on Saturday, February 2, with thousands of people expected to visit the trail, which is in its fourth year to help local businesses.

Andrew Lowson, executive director, York BID, said: "We’re delighted to back the York Ice Trail again. It’s an event that drives footfall to key businesses around the city and is especially popular with families.

"February can be a more challenging time for traders in the city and this move to February will help us work together to increase footfall and retail spend."

Paul Whiting, head of Visit York, said: "This is the biggest event of its kind in the UK. We’re adding lots of new elements to the trail and expect it will draw thousands of visitors locally and from right across the UK. It’s a fabulous family friendly event and free for everyone to enjoy."

Live carving will be held from noon in St Helen's Square, where a phoenix will be cut from a block of ice before being set on fire.

New events this year will include interactive sculptures in Parliament Street - where visitors can 'have a go' - and a three-metre shuffleboard game, where visitors can win prizes.

Other challenges will give visitors chance to win York Passes, tickets for the Everyman cinema and chocolate bars.

Mat Foster, creative director of Glacial Art, said: "York Ice Trail is the highlight of our year. We’ll be hand carving over eight tonnes of ice to spread the magic all across the city. We can’t wait to see the reaction to it."

Sculptures around the city will include:

  • Griffin sponsored by Make It York
  • Skipper sponsored by York Theatre Royal
  • JackJack sponsored by the York BID
  • Cookie Monster sponsored by Doubletree by Hilton
  • Ice Train sponsored by National Railway Museum
  • The Heart of Yorkshire sponsored by York Minster
  • Roary the Lion sponsored by the York BID
  • Angel sponsored by Lucia Bar
  • Squirt surfing the wave sponsored by Turtle Bay
  • Jordan’s Pegasus sponsored by Kennedys
  • Wheelbarrow of Flowers sponsored by The Botanist
  • #Bettys100 sponsored by Bettys
  • Your Carriage Awaits sponsored by First Group
  • York Pass Challenge sponsored by York Pass
  • Pillories sponsored by The York Dungeon
  • H is for Hungate sponsored by Hungate York Regeneration
  • Floral Butterfly sponsored by Bloom!
  • Shakespeare sponsored by Shakespeare Rose Theatre
  • Shuffleboard sponsored by The York Ice Trail
  • Carving Wall sponsored by The York Ice Trail
  • Chocolate Challenge sponsored by The York Ice Trail
  • Wishing You Well sponsored by York Teaching Hospital Charity
  • UFO sponsored by York’s UFO from TalkTalk
  • Niffler sponsored by Shambles Market
  • Sorting Hat sponsored by Hunters
  • Cheshire Cat sponsored by Spark York
  • Unicorn sponsored by the York BID
  • Dragon's Head sponsored by The York Ice Trail
  • Mermaid sponsored by the York BID
  • A secret unmasked sponsored by Fenwick
  • Dragon Hatchling sponsored by the Coppergate Centre
  • Migo sponsored by the Coppergate Centre
  • DoYouThinkTheySaurUs sponsored by Eboracum Security
  • Groot sponsored by Middletons Hotel
  • Iron Man sponsored by Middletons Hotel
  • Everyman Cinema Challenge sponsored by Middletons Hotel
  • Viking Helmet sponsored by the York BID
  • Magical Chalice sponsored by The Principal Hotel
  • The Grand Hotel sponsored by The Grand Hotel & Spa
  • Millennium Falcon sponsored by the York BID
  • Ships Wheel sponsored by City Cruises
  • Pirate Face sponsored by City Cruises
  • The Judges Gavel sponsored by Judges Lodging
  • Seahorse sponsored by Stormfront
  • Azuma Train sponsored by LNER
  • Zeus sponsored by Shepherd Group
  • Dionysus sponsored by The Ivy York
  • Cathay Aircraft sponsored by Cathay Pacific
  • Year of the Pig sponsored by Manchester Airport
  • Phoenix - Live Carving sponsored by Visit York