Leicester’s real ice rink opens in Jubilee Square tomorrow (Thursday), so people can now start planning their visits to the city’s standout Christmas attraction.
Opening at 5pm on Thursday (2 December), the ice rink will be enclosed in a giant marquee so that skaters can enjoy a session on the ice, whatever the weather.
Anyone who’s quick off the mark can still pick up a bargain for the rink’s two preview days – Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December – when skating costs a flat rate of just £5 per person.
Skating aids for young children – in the shape of penguins and seals – will be available and can be hired on the day at the ice rink, subject to availability.
Wheelchair users can join in the fun on the ice at any session at any time, while quiet sessions for people with autism or other special needs will take place at 1pm on 20, 27 and 29 December.
There will also be themed sessions that all the family will enjoy, starting with a visit from The Snowman™ on opening day (Thursday), and everyone’s favourite Christmas tunes with Gem Radio from 6pm on Friday (3 December), featuring DJ Dan Wood.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “If you’re coming into Leicester for shopping, a night out, or just to enjoy our festive lights, I hope you’ll find time to have a spin on our ice rink and discover all that the city has to offer this Christmas.”
It took around 10 days for contractors working for the city council to construct the 40m x 17m ice rink in Jubilee Square. Around 15,000 gallons of water have been frozen to create the 3-inch-thick skating surface.
Standard ticket prices remain unchanged from 2019, with individual adult and child tickets priced at £10 and £8.50 respectively. Group tickets (four or more people) will benefit from discounts, so an adult with three children can skate for £33, while skating at off-peak times is a flat rate of £7.
People can book their 45-minute sessions on the real ice rink via Leicester’s dedicated Christmas website, from the Visit Leicester information centre inside the King Richard III Visitor Centre on St Martins, or from the ice rink ticket office in Jubilee Square.
Leicester’s Jubilee Square ice rink will be open from 5pm on Thursday (2 December) until Monday 3 January 2022.
It will be open every day, apart from Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
For more information, and to buy your tickets, go to www.christmasinleicester.co.uk/ice-rink/.
People heading for the city centre from outside the city are encouraged to use Leicester’s Park & Rideservices. A return ticket for up to five people in one car costs just £3.
With COVID-19 infection rates still high, and the emergence of the new Omicron variant, the city council is asking people to do a quick test before coming to the ice rink, or attending any Christmas events. Face coverings must now be worn in shops and on public transport, and should be worn whenever you’re in a crowded space.
More information about Christmas in Leicester is available at christmasinleicester.co.uk