With most of us currently caught up in the full-on festive frenzy, we might be thinking we have left it too late to factor in time for a family treat.
But there are pop-up ice rinks across the region that will be open into the New Year and still have ticket availability, including in the last days before Christmas. Below is a round-up of where you can go to skate and the best advice would be to book soon if you want to be sure of securing a slot.
Among the pop-ups are outdoor and indoor options and they include the the city‘s popular rink outside Life Science Centre and an undercover one in South Shields. A whirl on the ice can make for a thoroughly festive family outing or a chance to have a laugh with for a group of pals.
Most of the options offer festive snacks and drinks too which add to the atmosphere. And – post Christmas -those who have over-indulged no doubt will welcome the chance to enjoy some fresh air and exercise, with a skating session to work off the excesses and start the New Year on a good footing – or one that’s a bit wobbly if you’re a skating novice.
Newcastle
Life Science Centre
Singer Joe McElderry opened Life‘s festive pop-up in Times Square this year and it has kept the music theme going during its seasonal run with some themed skating sessions, featuring the songs of Sam Fender and Taylor Swift, as well as karaoke.
And another Swift-theme Skate It Off event, for all ages, is planned for January 3 – with sessions at 5.30pm and 6.30pm – before the ice rink closes on January 5. Read more about it here and to pre-book tickets – costing £15 for adults; £13.50 for ages 10-17 and £11.50 for nine years and under – see here.
Those hoping for a pre-Christmas whirl will find a different price rate for peak dates of December 21-24, of £19 for adults; £16.50 for 10-17-year-olds and £14 and aged nine and under. All sessions at the ice rink last around an hour, including around 15 minutes of skate fitting and 45 minutes of action.
Life is also running a Santa Experience show in its planetarium which can be combined with a skating session. Not that the ice rink won’t be open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day.
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
South Shields
Ocean Beach
The pleasure park’s undercover real ice rink – inside a decorated marquee – is still in action although the weather forecast has seemingly scuppered plans for this weekend, December 21 and 22, when it is expecting to be closed due to high winds.
But it then will remain open until January 5, from 11am to 8pm (9am to 9pm on Christmas Eve) save for the big day and Sundays offer a quiet hour from 11am to noon without music or flashing lights. Otherwise expect fairylights and music to add to the pop-up’s atmosphere.
Some sessions are booked out but for remaining availability see here. Sessions are 45 minutes and skating costs £14 while a family ticket is £48. Group packages are available and skating aids are £5, issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sunderland
Rainton Arena
The Winter Wonderland event at the Houghton-le-Spring arena is inviting people to beat the winter blues with festive skate sessions on offer during day-times, at twilight and after-dark up until New Year’s Eve.
Entry itself is free to the wonderland which has a Santa’s grotto, a naughty elf trail, evening fairground rides, bar and food stalls among the attractions. Sessions cost from £3 mid-week and £6 at weekends which includes skate hire and an hour on the ice.
To book see here. Skate aid hire is also available: see here.
(Image: Metrocentre)
Gateshead
Metrocentre
A new experience – called Nice Ice Baby – is on offer at the shopping centre this year with the introduction of a real ice rink with a roof which means families can glide, or slide, there way around undercover without worrying about the weather. Situated in the car park outside its Yellow Mall, skating is available until January 5.
The decorated 400-square-metre rink is said to be perfect for skaters of all levels. Opening times can vary depending upon dates and availability while charges, with ski hire, are £15.40 for those aged 16-plus; £11.95 for three to 15-year-olds and £13.40 for students.
To pre-book a session see here. There is also a four-week skating course starting on Saturday, December 21 which costs £20.
Whitley Bay
Whitley Bay Ice Rink
OF course the region has the real deal too, with this rink having been a permanent fixture at the coast for years. Olympic gold medallist skaters Torvill and Dean have shared their own memories of rehearsing there during an interview with Chronicelive on a return visit to Whitley Bay.
While its usual Learn to Skate classes will resume on January 3, the rink is open throughout Christmas, save for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
It says students can skate from £7; children from £7.50 and adults from £8. Family tickets are available and there is a £1.50 fee for spectators. See its price range is here and find its festive opening times and more information on its Facebook page here.
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View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/go-ice-skating-north-east-30633552
