Families are promised a festive wonderland
17:26, 16 Sep 2025Updated 17:26, 16 Sep 2025
The Winter Festival at Cheshire Oaks (Image: Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet)
A new ice rink is opening near Manchester this Christmas as a popular Winter Village gets even bigger.
The attraction is at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks, where the much-loved Santa in the Sky big wheel is returning for the festive season.
But as well as the chance for little ones to hop on board a Ferris wheel for a chat with the big man and his elves, this year it’s also adding a new ice rink, which promises to truly transform the shopping destination into ‘a vibrant festive wonderland just in time for the holiday build-up’.
At the forefront of this ‘festive spectacle’ will be a custom-designed ice path that ‘gracefully weaves around Cheshire Oaks’ iconic oak tree’.
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The new ice rink opens next month(Image: Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet)
Those behind the Oaks On Ice event say it will ‘provide a picturesque backdrop, perfect for capturing those Instagram-worthy moments’.
The rink, made from real ice and nestled within a dedicated Christmas events space, will be the central hub of the outlet’s wider festive activities.
Visitors will be able to book one of the ‘magical Christmas huts’ at the village and enjoy traditional German bratwurst from the swing grill, warm up with mulled wine at the bar and marvel at ‘the UK’s tallest Christmas tree in northern England’.
Each hut accommodates up to six people and can be pre-booked for one hour for a £25 deposit, which will cover a £25 minimum spend per group (deposits will be deducted from the final bill but are non-refundable).
The Santa in the Sky experience is back this Christmas (Image: Cheshire Oaks)
Christmas movies, including Home Alone and The Grinch, will also be shown inside the Alpine Lodge on selected dates.
“We are incredibly excited to soon introduce this bespoke ice rink experience to our guests,” said Kenny Murray, general manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.
“It’s more than just a place to skate; it will be a destination where families and friends can create cherished festive moments. We’ve designed it to be a truly unique attraction, reflecting the evolving cultural trend towards experiential retail and community-focused events, and we eagerly await its opening next month.”
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The Winter Festival at Cheshire Oaks (Image: Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet)
The event will launch on October 24 with tickets on sale soon. Sessions cost £9.50 off-peak, £11 peak for juniors (aged 4-9); £11 off-peak, £13 peak for children 10-15; £12.50 off-peak, £15 peak for adults. A family of four can skate for £36 off-peak and £43 peak.
Off-peak is Monday to Thursday all day and Friday from opening to 5pm. Peak times are Friday from 5pm onwards, and all day at weekends.
Santa in the Sky tickets will also be on sale soon via the website here.