Skate Manchester

Skate Manchester in Cathedral Gardens will have you skating around its twinkly ice rink like you’re the main character on an advent calendar. This year the traditional Christmas tree has been replaced by a 15-metre wind turbine that helps power the ice rink – and if you’re thinking, that’s not very festive, think again. At its base is a giant snowglobe containing a miniature winter village; it’s the prettiest wind turbine in town.

There are push-along penguins to keep small children stable on their skates and marshals on the rink to make sure everyone is behaving nicely. Food and drink is available nearby. (You can get discounts at many of the restaurants in Manchester’s Corn Exchange if you take your ticket). The ice rink is covered so you can skate whatever the weather.

Be warned, there are no toilets at the ice rink and very little storage for bags. Best to take someone with you who doesn’t like ice skating and is happy to look after all your stuff (while capturing your best moves on camera of course).

Get your skates on – Skate Manchester is only here until 4 January 2026.