Scarborough’s real ice outdoor skating rink is now open and with it the promise of a fun and festive family experience in the heart of the town centre.
The rink in North Street is open every day until Tuesday 3 January (apart from Christmas Day), from 11am to 8pm, with last entry at 7pm.
The rink welcomed its first skaters on Friday 9 December with people of all ages taking to the ice along with well-known film characters, Anna, Elsa and Olaf.
New for this year is the Tipi Venue next to the rink. It features a bar and roaring fire and offers a great range of festive drinks as well as marshmallow toasting. It’s the perfect place to visit to warm up before or after a session on the ice, or for non-skaters to relax while other family members enjoy the rink.
From Friday 16 to Tuesday 27 December there will be stalls and attractions including gifts, German sausages, craft chocolates, gin, a children’s carousel and an organ, all decked out with Christmassy lighting.
The festive ‘This is the Coast’ stage will add some of the best local music and magic acts to the North Street hub on Saturday 17 (11am to 3.45pm) and Sunday 18 December (11am to 2.30pm).
Tickets for a one hour slot on the ice, which includes time to get skates on and off, cost £10 for adults and £8 for children aged four years old and above. Residents of the borough of Scarborough are entitled to a 20% discount on sessions from Monday to Thursday, 11am to 4pm.
There are also discounts for schools and community groups such as scouts, cadets and charities. Schools can book slots until 16 December at a 50% discount. Community groups can also secure a 50% discount when booking at least 20 tickets.
Hire of skates is included in the price. Enthusiasts can bring their own skates if they prefer.
Booking tickets online in advance via the ice rink website is essential. Payment by cash and card will not be available at the rink itself. Local residents will need to provide their home address postcode to access the 20% discount. There is a separate section of the website for group bookings, as well as an exclusive use offer.
Customers without internet access can call 01723 818111 to book over the phone.
Admission is on the hour, every hour, subject to availability. Skaters need to arrive 15 minutes before their booked time to allow for timely access to the ice.
There are dedicated facilities for visitors with mobility issues, including wheelchair users, with more information available during the booking process.
For those seeking a peaceful and relaxing skating experience, low-sensory sessions are being held every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 11am. Music will be turned down and flashing lights switched off during these sessions.
Penguin skating aids for children are available to hire at the time of booking.
The ice rink location is well served by buses and is a short walk from Scarborough train station. The closest car parks to the ice rink are Castle Road and St Thomas Street.