York Nutcracker Trail returns for 2025 with a kid’s takeover
York’s much-loved Nutcracker Trail is back this festive season – and this year, the kids are taking over! From 13th November 2025 to 4th January 2026, you can embark on a city-wide trail to discover 10 giant nutcrackers, each uniquely designed by children from across York and the surrounding area.
The 2025 theme, ‘Kids Takeover’ brings young people’s imagination to life. Last year, York BID invited budding young artists to submit their dream nutcracker designs. From hundreds of colourful entries, ten were selected to be transformed into life-sized sculptures that will now brighten York’s historic streets.
Rachel Bean, Project Manager at York BID said: “We wanted to do something truly special this year – to hand the creative reins over to York’s young people. We asked kids across York to let their imaginations run wild, and the designs we received were full of colour and fun. It was so hard to pick just 10! York Nutcracker Trail has become a real festive favourite in York, and I can’t wait to see lots of people with trail maps in their hands across the city again this year”
Each design has been delicately brought to life by local artist Marc Godfrey-Murphy, who has hand-painted the children’s creations onto the full-size nutcracker sculptures.
Marc Godfrey-Murphy, also known as MarcoLooks, said: “I remember when York BID first talked to me about working on this project with them. From the moment I found out about the concept, I immediately wanted to be involved. I used to be an animator for Cbeebies, so I know how discerning children’s imaginations can be. Their ideas and minds are bold, brave and limitless. It’s been a joy spending time working with designs from their perspective. Some of our young designers have used colour combinations I would never think of, but as an artist illustrator, it’s been wonderful to discover the joy in colour and pattern from their world view.”
York Nutcracker Trail maps will be available to pick up from the Visit York Information Centre on Parliament Street from Thursday 13th November, which will help you discover each nutcracker’s location and enjoy a festive adventure through the city
The York Nutcracker Trail is brought to the city by York BID and runs from 13th November 2025 to 4th January 2026, offering a fun, free, and festive way to explore York this Christmas season.