I think it’s safe to say that anyone who says they don’t like Christmas risks being disowned by friends and family. I love Christmas. First of the month, my decorations will be up and my freshly defrosted Michael Bublé CD will be playing. December hasn’t even begun and I, along with many of you I hope, have already been drowning in mulled wine at St Nicholas’ Christmas Fair. The scent of Christmas is in the air; roasted nuts, warm cider and of course the lasting smell of chocolate coming from Nestlé. It’s always magical in York around Christmas time, and with a whole host of events throughout the city, you’ll be spoiled for choice for things to do!
SPARK* 
This year, York welcomes something new to the Christmas festivities. After opening on Piccadilly last May, SPARK* has been thriving with the local community, bringing more commerce to independent, local businesses and in turn, creating the ultimate, inclusive space in the heart of York. For those of you who haven’t heard, SPARK* consists of 23 upcycled shipping containers, arranged over two levels, located at the site of an old tram depot on Piccadilly. (You can’t miss it!) On site are local street food and beverage kiosks, independent retailers, both quiet and shared workspaces for the public, and a stage and performance area providing a platform for SPARK*’s regular programme of events. After a successful Summer, SPARK* is primed for Winter with a new roof to ensure the festivities continue whatever the weather. With their extensive list of events for this month, ‘The Fairytale of new York’, it’s looking to be a promising time for SPARK*.
Jo Little, head of marketing at SPARK*, spoke to me about the team’s enthusiasm. “We’re all really excited about our first Christmas at SPARK*. We’ve had a terrific first six months which has exceeded expectations, and we want to build on that and give our visitors some special experiences which reflect both the community ethos and independent nature of what we’re all about.”
York’s Christmas Festival is turning out to be the home of local businesses, with local traders all across the city at Shambles Market, Yorkshire’s Yuletide Village, St Sampson’s Square, Coppergate, St Nicholas’ Fair and now, SPARK*. If you’re struggling for Christmas presents, York’s Christmas markets are a haven for stocking fillers, and you’d be supporting the community at the same time! SPARK*’s independent retailers offer a wide range of gifts and treats for you to enjoy this Christmas with family and friends, and why not take in the SPARK* scene afterwards with some food and drink under the new canopy?
What’s on
Kicking off their ‘Fairytale in new York’ events on Sunday 2nd December with an evening of DJ sets, SPARK* follows this up with an al fresco cinema night on Wednesday 5th. In addition to this, there are Christmas crafts including Christmas jumper upcycling and exclusive offers from some of SPARK*’s businesses throughout December.
“Pick up some unique gifts at our Festive Indie Makers Market, or An Evening with Helston Street, or pop in to visit our resident independent retailers. We also have an Enchanted Forest, Choirs, Theatre, Storytelling and DJ’s to entertain you. Plus a heavenly host of amazing food, and a mulled wine or two.” (Or five for me.) “Drink, dine and shop beneath a canopy of lights, with Christmas carols and free community events. We have blankets and heaters on hand to keep you cosy and warm while you watch Classic Christmas films in the courtyard.”
This is York’s truly independent and alternative Christmas, join SPARK* from 10am Wednesday – Sunday this December.
Full list of events on Facebook @sparkyorkCIC or on the website www.sparkyork.org
For a full list of York’s Christmas events visit www.visityork.org/whats-on/christmas
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