The skate around Christmas tree has been replaced with something very different
This year’s rink features a wind turbine with a giant snow globe attached(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
Manchester’s huge ice rink is back open in the city centre but looking very different this year.
Visitors from previous festive seasons will know that over the last few years there has been a huge Christmas tree for people to skate around and use as a backdrop for those all-important festive photos.
But this Christmas it’s been replaced with a portable wind turbine.
It may sound odd, but in the first-of-its-kind partnership with Octopus energy, the 15-metre tall, 15kW turbine is actually partially powering the rink.
Not by a massive amount – it’s estimated to be around 7 per cent – but it’s a huge step forward for Manchester’s bid to create greener, more sustainable events.
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The Skate Manchester ice rink is back open (Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
And the good news for Octopus customers is that anyone signed up to its reward scheme Octoplus can get a two for the price of one ticket offer.
While it might not seem particularly festive to swap a tree for a turbine, there is actually a giant snow globe at the bottom of it, which not only makes for some cute photo opportunities, but is also a lot more interesting than the tree, as there’s a moving scene inside of an alpine village with ski lifts and a big wheel.
There’s another new addition to this year’s rink in the form of a ‘Skate on and Skate off Caffè Nero Pit Stop’, available during skating for those needing a break and a hot chocolate or mulled wine, plus a VIP ticket option allowing for a fast-track entry into the rink.
Councillor Tracey Rawlins, executive member for clean air, environment and transport at Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester is proud to be leading the way in creating greener, more sustainable events.
“By incorporating a clean energy solution like wind power into our festive celebrations, we’re not only reducing environmental impact but also sharing our vision of what a greener future might look like. It’s another step towards our goal of becoming a zero-carbon city.”
The Christmas tree has been replaced with a wind turbine with a snow globe attached to the bottom of it(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
Cllr Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “We all know that what Manchester does today the world does tomorrow and using a wind turbine to help provide power to our fabulous seasonal skating rink is genius.
“Whilst we do love a white Christmas here in Manchester, we’re actually going all out this year to make Christmas in our city as green as we possibly can, with a Santa’s eye to the future to help protect and preserve our Christmases for years to come.”
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Octopus Energy’s chief product and marketing officer, added: “Our festive turbine is swapping sleigh bells for spinning blades this Christmas, and we couldn’t be more excited. Onshore wind is one of the UK’s cheapest, greenest power sources, and what better way to show it off than by helping light up the ice at Skate Manchester.
“We can pop up a mobile turbine in just a day, proving renewable energy is quick, fun and brings real benefits to local communities.”
The rink has opened initially as Scare Skate for half term and Halloween, with all tickets priced as off-peak as a special opening offer. The stalls at Cathedral Gardens have opened too.
Once Scare Skate ends on November 1, the rink will become fully festive and remain open until January 4, as will the stalls.
From October 25 to December 6, the rink will be open daily from 11am to 9pm (doors open at 10.30am), with the last session starting at 8pm. From December 7 to January 4, opening hours extend from 10am to 9pm (doors open at 9.30am), with the last session starting at 8pm.
On October 29 there’s a Thriller Nights ‘back to the 90s’ Halloween Disco running from 3pm to 9pm with tickets costing £12 for students including a drink.
There are penguin skate aids for little ones(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
Skating sessions last up to 45 minutes, organisers recommend ticketholders to arrive 30 to 40 minutes before their session to get ready to take to the ice.
Adults/teens from £17.50 (off peak + booking fee), children (aged between 3 and 12 years old) from £13.75 (off peak + booking fee) and family ticket from £52 (based on two adults and two children, or one adult and three children, off peak + booking fee).
VIP Fast Track adults/teens from £23.50 (off peak + booking fee), children (aged between 3 and 12 years old) from £19.75 (off peak + booking fee), family ticket from £76 (based on two adults and two children, or one adult and three children, off peak + booking fee).
Skates are available to hire at the rink for £5 on a first-come, first-served basis (subject to terms and conditions).
To book tickets visit the website here.