It’s officially that time of year where it’s socially acceptable to pop your ice skates and bobble hat on and make a fool out of yourself.
There’s something about ice skating that’s so memorable, perhaps it’s the chill in the air, or the fact you can laugh when your friends fall over.
Rest assured, there are plenty of ice skating events in Manchester dotted around to get you feeling Christmassy.
Winter Island
Escape to Winter Island at Mayfield Depot from November 12, described as “the ultimate boutique ice rink in the sky.”
The huge Winter Island festive event at Manchester's Escape to Freight Island will be filled with festive food and drink.
Organisers say that skaters will be able to “skate to the high line” and “float on ice in the sky” at this incredible festive village.
Visitors can pre-order food and drink around their skating schedule, providing some much needed fuel before slipping their ice skates back on.
The ice rink will be open Monday to Thursday from 4pm until 11pm, and Friday to Sunday from 10am until 11pm.
Tickets are priced at £13 / £10 for adult (peak / off-peak times); £11 / £8 for children (peak / off-peak times); and £10 for students.
You can buy tickets here and find Escape to Freight Island at 11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ
Skate Manchester Cathedral Gardens
Skate in any weather at Manchester Cathedral Gardens, but try not to get too distracted by the stunning clear roof.
Cathedral Gardens offers an enchanting atmosphere that is perfect for the festive season, ideal for couples families and groups of friends.
Go for a skate then visit the iconic Manchester Christmas market for a hot mulled wine, because it’s Christmas after all.
Skate Manchester Cathedral Gardens are open daily from October 22 until January 3, excluding Christmas Day.
Skating sessions last up to 45 minutes, and ticket prices include skate hire and excludes online booking fee
It is also recommended that you arrive 15-30 minutes before your session so that you can prepare for the ice
Tickets are priced at £13/ £15.50 for an adult/teen, £11/£13.50 for children aged 10-12 and £11/£13.50 for children under 10.
Family Tickets consisting of one adult and three children or two adults and two children are priced at £41/£46.
You can book your tickets here and find Skate Manchester at Cathedral Gardens, Manchester M4 3BG
Tinsel Town
Wrap up warm and break up a bit of hectic Christmas shopping with some ice skating at Tinsel Town.
It’s not just ice skating on the cards either, the winter wonderland will be filled with spectacular rides and fayres.
If you want to leave it to the professionals, why not watch SNOWSTORM - a new ice skating show featuring an international cast of ice skaters and incredible circus artists?
All this ice skating is bound to make you hungry, so sample some mulled wine at the traditional Bavarian Huts or try out a street food vendor - from pizza to hot dogs.
Tickets are priced £12 (peak) and £9.50 (off-peak) for adults 16+, £9 (peak), £7.50 (off-peak) for children aged 3 to 15, and family tickets are priced at (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children): £35 (peak), £30 (off-peak).
Peak times: Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, and all weekdays from 17 December.
Off-peak times: Monday-Thursday from 19 November-17 December.
Book your tickets here and visit Tinsel Town at the famous Trafford Centre this winter.
Planet Ice Altrincham
Head to Greater Manchester to Altrincham Ice Dome this Christmas for a spot of ice skating you won’t want to miss.
Situated around 30-minutes outside of the city centre, Planet Ice Altrincham is perfect for those who live outside Manchester.
Prices for public ice skating (Off Peak) start £7.60, with peak times starting from £9.10.
Book your tickets here and be sure to brush up on your ice skating skills.
Find Planet Ice Altrincham at Oakfield Rd, Altrincham WA15 8EW
