Christmas is set to return to the National Ice Centre this December with festive fun for all the family over two fun packed weekends. Surrounded by twinkling lights, a majestic tree, a life size snow globe to have your photo taken inside plus other special activities – the National Ice Centre is the best place in Nottingham to get into the spirit this Christmas.

Taking place over the weekends of 14 & 15 December and 21 & 22 December 2019 between 11am – 4pm, the Christmas themed activities will also include the opportunity to visit Santa as he sets up his magical grotto at the side of the ice!

Get your child’s Christmas wish list ready for Santa as his elves open the doors to his grotto for visitors as part of the festive fun. Pre-book a grotto ticket online before Tuesday 10 December for the first weekend and Tuesday 17 December for the second, to catch him at the National Ice Centre before he returns to Lapland for his busiest time of the year!

The whole family will be able to get involved with festive face painting, Christmas craft activities and more.

On the second Family Fun Weekend, skaters can enjoy one of three festive foam parties. Happening at the event on Saturday 21 December, the foam fun will begin with a Family Foam session between 2.45pm – 5pm followed by a Relaxed Foam Party from 5.30pm – 7pm and ending with a special Club Night Foam Party – 7.30pm – 9.30pm. The disco lights will be turned on and skaters will be invited to put on their Christmas jumpers and prepare to get festive as cannons spray snow white foam onto the rink whilst skating to all their favourite Christmas tunes. For the very first time the magic is extended to a relaxed foam party, perfect for those wanting a calm and quiet environment to skate without music or flashing lights and a little less foam. With the Tots Zone available at both the family and relaxed sessions, everyone can get involved in the foamy-snow scene on the ice this Christmas.

Other unique events taking place at the National Ice Centre this year include The Magic of Christmas, an annual Christmas gala ice show hosted by the National Ice Centre Academy on Sunday 22 December, 2.30pm – 3.45pm. Back by popular demand the Nottingham Panthers’ will invite hockey fans to join them on the ice at the exclusive Skate with the Nottingham Panthers session on Thursday 19 December, 7.30pm – 8.30pm. Running all the way through December to Christmas day is the opportunity to get involved and contribute to the National Ice Centre’s Christmas skating challenge – Laps to Lapland! Skaters attending any public skating session throughout December can contribute to the 30,255 laps needed to reach Lapland before Christmas Day! The laps equal the 2,015 miles distance between Nottingham and the ‘official home’ of Santa, Roveniemi in Lapland. Daily progress will be logged and available for everyone to track at www.national-ice-centre.com/christmas

If you’re looking to learn a new skill before the new year or as a new year resolution, join our Ice Skating Lessons taking place on 27, 28 and 29 December 2019 and 2, 3 and 4 January 2020 – each lesson includes access to the public skating session on the same day, making it great value for money. Coaches will teach you all the beginners moves and boost your confidence on the ice. To help you decide if lessons are for you, the National Ice Centre also offers Taster Skating Lessons. Taster sessions are priced from just £10 with sessions for adults and children starting from Monday 16 December running frequently until Sunday 5 January.

Festive food and drink will be on offer throughout December in the Sub Zero café. Enjoy a Christmas treat before, during or after skating. The dedicated Tots Zone will also be available during many of the skating sessions this Christmas. The Tots Zone is an area in the centre of the ice dedicated to under 5s and their parents enabling families to grow in confidence on the ice together. Ice equipment is free to use inside the Tots Zone.

There are some great deals up for grabs including free skating for children under five when accompanied by a full paying adult, special packages for schools and 40% discount for students and groups of 10+ skaters. Need a great Christmas gift idea? National Ice Centre gift cards are now available to purchase online from just £10.

Under 5s                 Free (when accompanied by a full paying adult)

Adults (16+)             £8.50

Juniors (5-15)          £7.50

Family of 3              £21.75

Family of 4              £29

Family of 5              £35

Santa’s grotto          £10 per child (plus public skating ticket)

For further information or to book your festive skating session at the biggest ice rink in Nottingham including to pre-book Santa’s Grotto tickets, head to www.national-ice-centre.com/christmas, call 0843 373 3000 or visit in person at National Ice Centre, Bolero Square, The Lace Market, Nottingham.