Last Updated on 2 April 2026 by Colette
Seasonal Ice Rinks in the Manchester area for Christmas 2026
Going ice skating at Christmas is a long time tradition for us – we go every year with the Butlers and in fact we realised just recently that it’s now twelve years since we all went ice skating together for the first time – Amy was a tiny newborn and I was recovering from a c-section and most definitely shouldn’t have been on the ice. Only two of us could actually skate and we relied heavily on skate aids to get the kids around the ice – but we loved it. It was a gorgeous festive adventure and one that we have repeated almost every year since.
In the last ten years, ice skating options in Manchester expanded considerably but the last couple of years the cost of living crisis hit hard and many of these places to go ice skating in Manchester have fallen by the way side. As yet, not all of these festive ice rinks in Manchester have confirmed to return for Christmas 2026 and I have a feeling options for ice skating in Manchester this Christmas may have reduced again – I will continue to update this post as information on places to go ice skating this Christmas becomes available.
Check out these handy links to plan your next adventure …
If you fancy popping some skates on and gliding (or stumbling) around the ice this festive season, check out these Manchester Ice Rinks:
The ice rinks listed below are not yet confirmed for 2026!
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Skate Manchester at Cathedral Gardens – Saturday 25th October 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026
The Skate Manchester pop up ice skating rink returns to Cathedral Gardens – the large, covered ice rink is bigger and better than ever before (this year there’s even a fancy little outdoors bit with a huge Christmas tree) and the well-organised one-way system in and out of the event flows much better than in previous years.
We’ve been visiting the ice rink in Cathedral Gardens for a few years now and it’s one tradition we’re all keen to continue, particularly as the kids get older. We especially love that the Cathedral Gardens ice rink is surrounded by part of the Manchester Christmas Markets which adds to the lovely festive feel and means there’s lots of options for hot drinks and snacks to reward yourself with after your ice skating efforts!
Sessions last up to 45 minutes and you are advised to arrive 15 – 30 minutes before your allotted skate time to allow time for getting ready (anyone who has tried to put ice skates on recently will know this is not a quick job!)
Skate hire is included in the ticket price. A limited number of skate aids are available (for children age 10 and under) at an additional charge of £5 and must be booked in advance.
You can book your ice skating session at Skate Manchester at Cathedral Gardens online. Tickets available on site on the day but it’s advisable to book in advance to guarantee your space. (Don’t forget to pre-book your skate support to for little ones if you think they’ll need it!) Prices start from £17.50 for adults and £13.75 for children (which is a bit of an increase on last year!) Family tickets are also available.
[Before embarking on your ice skating adventure at Skate Manchester, it’s beneficial to gather some tips from ice skating practice.]
You can read more about visiting Skate Manchester here:
Tips for making the most of your visit to Skate Manchester
Ice Skating at Santa’s Village, Rochdale Town Hall Square – Friday 21st November 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2025
Brand new for 2025, Rochdale will be home to Santa’s Village at Rochdale Town Hall Square promising a friendly atmosphere, open skate sessions and plenty of space.
As a more affordable option for ice skating near Manchester this Christmas, we will definitely be checking it out.
The Rochdale Ice Rink at Santa’s Village is available to book now priced at £13.50 for age 13+ and £9.50 for children age 4 to 12. Skate aids are available to hire for children under 120cm at an additional cost of £5.
Trafford Centre Tinsel Town – Saturday 22nd November 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026
As part of this year’s Tinsel Town event at the Trafford Centre, you can get skate (or stumble) your way around 600 square metres of real ice at the covered ice rink! When you’ve finished your skate session, you can enjoy a hot chocolate or mulled wine and perhaps a fairground ride or two (additional charges apply!). You can read more about Christmas at The Trafford Centre here.
Sessions last 45 minutes and begin at 15 minutes past the hour. Your booking starts on the hour to allow 15 minutes to get your skates on!
Skate hire is included in the ticket price.
You can book your ice skating session at Tinsel Town – Trafford Centre online. Tickets available on site on the day but it’s advisable to book in advance to guarantee your space. Prices start from £12.50 for adults and £10 for children. Family tickets are also available.
Blackpool Sea Front – Friday 21st November 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026
Obviously Blackpool doesn’t really count as Manchester by any stretch, however as there is a free ice skating rink on Blackpool’s seafront this Christmas, I thought it deserved a mention! For the second year, Blackpool hosts an outdoor skating rink on the promenade. The huge, synthetic ice rink is the sparkling centrepiece of the Christmas By The Sea village.
No advance booking is required, simply turn up, change to your free rental skates and take to the rink. The rink can accommodate up to 60 skaters at any one time and there is a designated changing facility, skate aids and disability aids available.
You can find more information about the free outdoor ice skating rink on Blackpool seafront here and don’t forget Blackpool Illuminations have been extended this year and will run till Sunday 4th January 2026 too!
Check out this list of free things to do in Blackpool.
Ice rinks near Manchester which have not returned for Christmas 2025
Below you’ll find a list of ice rinks which have happened previously, but for whatever reason have not returned for 2024.
- Manchester Ice Rink, Depot Mayfield | No ice rink for Christmas 2025. There has been no ice rink at Depot Mayfield for a few of years now.
- Unreal Xmas at Trafford Palazzo | No ice rink for Christmas 2025. There has not been an ice rink at Trafford Palazzo since 2021
- Ice skating at The Dunham Barn | No ice rink for Christmas 2025. The team at Dunham confirmed to me in 2024 that their synthetic ice rink would not be returning due to soaring insurance costs.
- Wilmslow Wonderland | No ice rink for Christmas 2025. The team behind Wilmslow Wonderland have confirmed that sadly there will be no synthetic ice rink this year having not been able to find a reliable supplier.
- The Courts Club Ice Rink at Winter Assembly, St Johns | No rink for Christmas 2025
- Christmas at Bolesworth | No ice rink for Christmas 2025. This was last seen in 2023.
And if you want to go ice skating near Manchester through the rest of the year?
Planet Ice Blackburn
Planet Ice Blackburn allows you to enjoy ice skating all year round at this enormous arena! As well as public skate sessions, Planet Ice offer “learn to skate” courses and ice hockey lessons and even weekly disco sessions with a live DJ.
Public skate sessions last for several hours depending on the day you book – a weekend public skate booking means you can turn up anytime from 11am and stay all day making this a great value way to skate compared to the time limited seasonal rinks. That said, we’ve never managed to stay for more than a couple of hours as we find it too exhausting! (You’re also not allowed to take your own food and drink so if you do stay for very long you’re likely to want to take advantage of the onsite café.)
You can book your ice skating session at Planet Ice Blackburn online. Tickets available on site on the day but it’s advisable to book in advance to guarantee your space. Prices start from £9.70 (or cheaper with an Ice Card) and skate hire is an additional £2.70. Skate aids are charged at £6 an hour – these are hired on a first come, first served basis.
Planet Ice Altrincham
Planet Ice Altrincham offers year round ice skating. As well as public skate sessions, Planet Ice offer “learn to skate” courses and ice hockey lessons and even a weekly disco sessions with a live DJ if you fancy making a night of it.
Public skate sessions last for several hours depending on the day you book – a weekend public skate booking means you can turn up anytime from 11am and stay all day making this a great value way to skate compared to the time limited seasonal rinks. That said, we’ve never managed to stay for more than a couple of hours as we find it too exhausting! (You’re also not allowed to take your own food and drink so if you do stay for very long you’re likely to want to take advantage of the onsite café.)
You can book your ice skating session at Planet Ice Altrincham online. Tickets available on site on the day but it’s advisable to book in advance to guarantee your space. Prices start from £9.85 (or cheaper with an Ice Card) and skate hire is an additional £2.70. Skate aids are charged at £6 an hour – these are hired on a first come, first served basis.
Where can I go ice skating near near me?
If you know of anywhere else to go ice skating near Manchester this Christmas do let me know!
For more festive fun, read these posts next:
Shows to see this Christmas in Manchester
Where to see Father Christmas in Manchester this year
Christmas Days out in Manchester
Festive light trails near Manchester
Ice skating lessons for the whole family
Where to find the best hot chocolate in Manchester
Cheap or free things to do in Manchester this Christmas
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