Don’t forget though that Manchester Markets aren’t the only ones that have a skating rink plus all the other indoor ones that aren’t nicked to hell so that you can actually channel your inner Katerina Witt.
Ice Rink at the Ice Village, Cathedral Gardens
As well as an Ice Cavern and Santa’s Grotto, Cathedral Gardens is home to an ice rink this Christmas that you can get a good 45-minute skate on. Just enough time to perfect that triple lutz. This rink is right in the centre of town so it makes a great pit-stop during your visit to the markets.
Manchester Ice Rink on First Street
In amongst all the cute pop-up market stalls is an even quainter ice rink that I would argue is in better shape than the one in Cathedral Gardens, but that is probably because it is much newer. This rink is really child-friendly too with lots of equipment to get you started without skidding everywhere like Bambi on ice. It’s even open until 6th January!
Planet Ice, Altrincham
Not just home to Manchester storm, you too can have a good old skate around and if you fancy it, maybe even join the hockey team. This is less of a Christmas gimmick and more of the real deal, so once you feel stable on the ice pop down to Planet Ice and have a go on the big-boy rink. You can even get yourself some lessons if you fancy it.
Winter Funland, EventCity
Not only can you book four-hour slots to enjoy all the mint features of this winter funland including rides, and a performance of ‘Frozen’ (everyone still loves Frozen, right?) you can also make like Elsa and ‘Let it Go’ around the rink whilst doing your best Ice queen impression. Seriously – who wouldn’t want to spend an afternoon doing that?
Bolton Winter Festival
Bolton town centre’s Victoria Square is transformed into a covered rink so you can enjoy the ice come rain or (not too hot) shine. It’s huge too, with room for 180 skaters, so you can still pretend you’re Tonya from that film….I, Tonya- minus the aggression of course.
