A NEW Christmas attraction has launched in York from the people behind the Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland at McArthurGlen.

Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, which is also behind THOR’S tipi bar and the pop-up Shakespeare’s Rose theatre coming to the city next summer, have created what it calls an “enchanted trail” through the Museum Gardens, with light installations, illuminations and “an after-dark explosion of festive colour and twinkling lights”.

The trail opened on November 16 and runs until New Year's Day, from 4.45pm to 9.30pm every day except Christmas Day.

A spokesman for York Museums Trust, which runs the gardens along with York Art Gallery, said both the trust and City of York Council are very supportive of the event.

Lunchbox has joined forces with Raymond Gubbay Ltd, producers of illuminated Christmas trails and festivals, to put on the York attraction.

Entry to Christmas in the Museum Gardens will cost £14.95 for adults, £8.95 for children and £40 for a family of four, while under fours will be able to go in for free.

Tickets are already on sale from christmasatyorkmuseumgardens.co.uk.

Visitors to the attraction will see a “fairy-tale Christmas village”, with a vintage funfair ride, face painting and pies from the Yorkshire Pudding Pie Company, as well as other festive fare.

There will also be a UV light pathway for children to get involved in a unique game of hide and seek, and the garden will show of the “12 Frames of Christmas”, “singing trees” and a spectacular projection onto the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey.

Father Christmas will also take up residence in the gardens, and the attraction’s finale will be a fire on the library lawn, with mulled wine, spiced cider and toasted marshmallows.