Grab your skates, Mancs, you’ve pulled! (A date with the ice rink, that is). Popping up all over the city for the festive season, guests can glide their way towards December 25th to the tune of Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday while enjoying a hot mug of mulled wine, with plenty of new and wintery scenes to skate around. Here’s our guide to the best ice skating rinks in Manchester this winter.
1. Escape to Freight Island
Where is it?
11 Baring St, M1 2PZ.
What makes it magical?
Allowing guests to ‘skate in the sky’, Escape to Freight Island’s ice rink, which opens from November 28, floats on a mezzanine underneath the historic roof of Depot Mayfield, overlooking the hustle and bustle going on within Winter Island. Open now, guests can enjoy mulled wine, festive grub and even a forest full of Christmas trees, before enjoying live music and entertainment from the ice above.
2. Skate Manchester, Cathedral Gardens
Where is it?
Cathedral Gardens, M4 3BG.
What makes it magical?
Situated right in the midst of the Christmas market fun, Skate Manchester offers a family-friendly skating experience for all to enjoy, with festive lighting, the buzz of the surrounding stalls to enjoy, and, of course, everyone’s favourite Christmas tunes. This year’s ice skating rink is massive, meaning there’s more room than ever before for the people of Manchester to glide across, and, of course, plenty of festive spirit to go around.
3. TinselTown, Trafford Centre
Where is it?
The Trafford Centre, M17 8AA.
What makes it magical?
Found at the Trafford Centre’s TinselTown outside the Great Hall, this ice skating rink is ideally located for Mancs to enjoy – with the Christmas shopping haven of Manchester residing just metres away. Glide away under a sky full of twinkling lights whilst festive music transports skaters to a whimsical, festive haven. Non-skaters will be able to enjoy a warming hot chocolate or mulled wine from the centre’s festive bar complete with towering Christmas tree.
4. Winter Funland
Where is it?
Event City, Phoenix Way Off, Barton Dock Rd, M41 7TB.
What makes it magical?
Coming to the BEC this Christmas, Winter Funland Manchester will house a magical ice skating rink in the centre of its many festivities, with tons of Christmas shenanigans to get involved in. Meet Father Christmas, skate to your heart’s content, chow down on festive grub and sweet treats such as candy floss, enjoy. a huge array of family-friendly rides, or attend a fun circus-style show packed full of tricks and magical treats.
5. Planet Ice, Altrincham
Where is it?
Oakfield Rd, Altrincham, WA15 8EW.
What makes it magical?
While Planet Ice may be open all year round, there’s something particularly great about skating in the wintertime. Open all winter long, guests can borrow a pair of skates before having a festive glide around the ice, with penguins available for the less experienced among us (always a fun part of the day!).