Best Places for Ice Skating in Manchester

People are enjoying ice skating at an indoor rink decorated with hanging lights and round paper lamps. Some skaters are helping others, and there are children and adults wearing bright orange skates gliding across the ice. The atmosphere is lively and festive. — Confidentials

Get your skates on! Whether you're a pro practicing your pirouettes or requiring the assistance of the barriers to stay off the floor, there's an ice rink here for everyone.

SKATE Manchester

People are ice skating in an indoor rink adorned with string lights. Some skaters hold onto a railing while others skate freely or use aids. The atmosphere is lively and festive, with the translucent roof allowing indoor lighting to illuminate the ice. — Arena Group

Cathedral Gardens | Manchester City Centre | Book Now

Once again, Cathedral Gardens plays host to Manchester’s most popular winter ice-skating rink. Being the only seasonal ice skating location in the city center, SKATE is sure to attract those looking to get in the Christmas spirit. Strategically placed under cover, not even the notorious Manchester rain can ruin the fun. Suiting skaters of all ages and experience levels, SKATE is a Christmas treat that you won’t want to miss.

Planet Ice Altrincham

A busy indoor ice skating rink filled with people of all ages skating. The ice rink is surrounded by elevated seating, and the atmosphere is lively and festive with colorful lights illuminating the ice. Some skaters are using aids to help them balance. — dullhunk

Altrincham Ice Dome | Altrincham | More Information

Just a short trip along the Purple Tram Line, Planet Ice Altrincham offers high-quality skating all year round. Home to the Manchester Storm Ice Hockey team, the Altrincham Ice Dome is a state-of-the-art facility which offers skating lessons for kids and adults, birthday bookings, and Ice Hockey courses. With plenty of space to stretch your legs, Planet Ice is our pick for experienced skaters.

TinselTown

A festive, indoor winter carnival scene features visitors walking under a transparent tent adorned with twinkling fairy lights. Through the tent, a brightly lit Ferris wheel and colorful carnival rides are visible, creating a cheerful atmosphere. — Visit Manchester

Trafford Centre | Manchester | Book Now

Now a Trafford Centre staple, TinselTown is set to infect visitors with the spirit of Christmas once more this winter. Located within is a skating experience bookable from 12:00pm-09:00pm. The Christmas lights around the tent are enchanting, making it the perfect way to round off a stressful day of shopping.

Wilmslow Way Better Winter Wonderland

A large crowd gathered outdoors at night, illuminated by festive Christmas lights. Many people wear winter clothes and some have reindeer antlers or Santa hats. The atmosphere is lively with people holding up phones to take photos. Buildings with lit signs are in the background. — Groundwork

Wilmslow | Cheshire | More Information

A short train ride from Manchester city centre, Wilmslow Way Better Winter Wonderland is a festive utopia. Alongside the synthetic ice rink, there will be shows, performances, street entertainment, and even some celebrity guests. So take a trip out of the big city and see what Wilmslow has to offer this winter.

Blackpool Seafront Skating

A young child in a red jacket, red knit hat, blue pants, and red ice skates joyfully glides on an ice skating rink. Other skaters can be seen in the background, slightly out of focus. The child smiles widely, arms slightly outstretched for balance. — Visit Blackpool

Blackpool Sea Front | More Information

Okay, so this one is not exactly in Manchester. But it is free!

Standing in the shadow of the iconic Blackpool Tower, the synthetic rink, spanning 20 meters in length, is free to use and includes free skate hire. The rink will be open daily (excluding Christmas Day). 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.