The York BID unveils of the city wall bar winter lights

The historic bars of York’s city walls to sparkle and shine during the festive season; the city’s main gateways will extend a winter welcome to all who visit and live in York.

Four of York’s historic city wall bars will take on a new look this winter season. Beginning this Thursday (1 Dec) at dusk, a cascade of shimmering lights will drape Micklegate Bar, Walmgate Bar, Monk Bar and Bootham Bar. The city or ‘bar’ walls of York are the most complete examples of medieval city walls still standing in England today. The unprecedented display will showcase York’s renowned structures as ‘shining gateways’ that lead to the historic attractions and businesses in and around the city walls.

The addition of the winter lights is sponsored by the York Business Improvement District (BID) and is part of the BID’s overall commitment to enhancing the city’s inviting atmosphere for all who live, visit, study and work in York. The light installation will run from December until February.

Andrew Lowson, Executive Director the York BID, ‘During our consultation, BID businesses expressed the need for a greater presence of winter lights that would stretch beyond the popular holiday market areas such as Parliament Street, St. Sampson’s Square and King’s Square. The bars of the city walls are prominent features in York’s cityscape; the winter lights will spotlight these impressive landmarks and brighten the atmosphere during these dark, early-drawn nights.’

Shelagh Garside, owner of Curtain Up on Micklegate, ‘The Illumination of York’s wall bars will lend to the festive spirit during the holidays and throughout the winter season. The lights will transform the look and feel of the main entrances to our City, and deliver a visually uplifting sight that will convey the message that York welcomes you to our beautiful city.’

The unveiling of the winter lights coincides with the first day of York’s new ‘Living Advent Calendar’, a city-wide event featuring twenty-five local businesses who are each designated a day leading up to Christmas to reveal their Christmas-themed advent windows.