York’s Nutcracker Trail Returns!
Now with Extra Festive Fanfare and a £250 Prize – Because Who Doesn’t Love a Global Scavenger Hunt?
York’s Nutcracker Trail is back today and this year’s theme is Christmas Around the World! Think of it as a global scavenger hunt, minus the need for a passport and jet lag. Instead, you get to follow ten Nutcracker sculptures, each celebrating a different country, painted in all the bright colors and iconic symbols they could cram onto a wooden soldier.
Starting today (yes, you can pretend it’s Christmas early), grab your map from the Visitor Information Centre on Parliament Street and set out to find these Nutcracker globetrotters! Each Nutcracker sports a collar with braille clues indicating its country, so even if you don’t have Google Translate in your back pocket, you’re set. Artist MarcoLooks, who’s known for bringing Numberblocks to life on CBeebies, is behind these designs – adding a touch of TV magic to York’s streets.
And the best bit? You could win a cool £250 just by matching each Nutcracker to its country! (York’s official way of saying, “Well done, you!”) Drop your answers at Santa’s Post Box in Museum Gardens, or leave them at the Visitor Information Centre to keep things official.
So dust off your detective hat, grab a map, and get ready to play a citywide game of “Where in the World is Nutcracker Claus?”
Click for more info from York Bid.
If you are coming to York and need a place to stay then check out our 3 holiday homes at www.houseofyork.org
Want to read more for your next visit to York?
Then download a free copy of our book York Local Knowledge Must-do Top Tens & the vouchers to get them for less where you will discover the historic UK city of York like a local with tips, top tens, and guidance on where to find the best discounts and vouchers, so you can experience it all without breaking the bank!
You can download it for free from the Apple iBooks Store here
You can download it for free from the Google Play Books Store here
This isn’t your average guidebook—it’s a laugh-out-loud, down-to-earth companion, packed with top-ten lists covering everything from essential attractions and hidden gems to entertainment, dining spots, walks, tours, festivals, and shopping, all enriched with a local’s insider knowledge.
With insights, amusing anecdotes, and a sprinkling of puns and dad jokes, Alistair’s love letter to York will help you see the city in a whole new way. Grab a copy and start planning the York adventure you didn’t know you were missing!
With over 240 pages, this guide is ideal for families and groups of friends planning a trip to York and includes:
Up-to-date information on everything in the ever-changing city of York—this is the 2025 edition.
Top ten lists of York’s best tourist attractions, entertainment spots, food and drink, walks, tours, festivals, and independent shops.
Beautiful photography accompanying every recommendation.
Answers to visitors’ top questions, from “Where’s the best place for ice cream?” to “Where can I find a great takeaway curry?”
Recommendations on where locals go for up-to-date information about York.
The best places to stay, from five-star hotels to holiday homes and houseboats.
Details on where to find discounts and vouchers for York restaurants, attractions, and experiences.
Want to hear a great podcast about York?
A fab podcast for tourists and locals looking to find out more about York History, must do York Top 10's and money saving tips to do it all for less.
Just search your podcast app for York Must Do Top 10s or click on this link for the show on apple podcast here
Book one of our Holiday Homes for your next trip to York
Are you looking for a great place to stay for your next trip to York. All 3 of our holiday homes are next door to each other which means you can hire them individually for up to 6 people or together for up to 12 (107 & 109 together) or even 18 people (Spencer House & 107 & 109 together).
To check availability and book just visit www.houseofyork.org
We pride ourselves on being couples and family friendly and we try to take any of the stress out of your stay so you can focus on enjoying yourselves and magnificent York.