After months of anticipation the wait for Nottingham's Winter Wonderland is finally over - and it comes with a few spectacular new additions. One of those is the stunning aerial ice rink, which gives visitors the chance to skate their way around Old Market Square.
The Chrimbo Winter Wonderland event runs from Tuesday November 15 until New Year's Eve. Old Market Square and Long Row have been taken over by Swiss-style chalets selling Yuletide gifts, filling Yorkshire pudding wraps and warming hot chocolate or mulled wine.
Dominating Slab Square is the new aerial ice path, Sky Skate, where skaters can glide above the heads of the crowd below. For a panoramic view of the city, the giant wheel is back in front of the Council House - or for a more bumpy ride, the toboggan run has returned to King Street.
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As always there's plenty to eat such as the must-have German sausages from the Old Windmill Grill and Melt & Grill delivering a festive feast of oozing raclette cheese. For a festive tipple there's five bars, including ski chalet bar Sur La Piste, all-glass chalet Altitude, the Ice Bar, Helter Skelter Bar and, for the first time, a skate-through bar.
Stall holders and visitors alike have been discussing their love of the festive event. Debra Hanes, from Boston is running Gifts 4 the Soul. She said: ‘’There is a great assortment of stalls with the pull of the bars and rides. People love it. We get a lot of repeat customers.
‘’I was here in 2020 (when the market closed after a day) but it’s here in full now.’’
The new 200-metre Sky Skate gives revellers the chance to skate above the town centre. Adult tickets for Sky Skate and Ice Rink cost from £11.95 on weekdays at super off-peak rates to £16.45 during peak times.
Slots for Sky Skate and Ice Rink are available between 11.15am and 9.45pm from Monday to Thursday and until 10pm on Fridays. Weekend slots are available from 10am to 10pm on Saturdays and from 10am until 9.45pm on Sundays.
Sara Hall has been bringing the Helter Skelter bar to Nottingham for more than 10 years. The rest of the year it’s in storage. Sara, of Selston, said:” I’ve been here from day one. We are local to Nottingham and we just love our home city.
“We have the same people come to visit every year. It’s great to be back. Once it get’s going it’s a lovely friendly atmosphere. It’s a shame it’s a bit wet but we have nice friendly customers. It’s starting to get a bit Christmassy now.”
Student nurses Teah Mair and Immie Ganderson, both 22, were getting into the Christmas spirit with a drink in the Helter Skelter bar. Teah said: “I love it. I’m glad it’s back this year. I like the bands. I think we’ll come back in December and do it properly. I do love skating.’’
Immie added: “It’s really good. It’s nice to have it back in full as last year it was a bit small. I’m so excited to come one night for a few drinks.”
Colleen Mason, 80 of Carlton, said: “I come every year. I like the diversity of the stalls and I like the jewellery stalls and knick knack for Christmas presents.
‘I think people will come (despite the cost of living crisis) but they might not spend as much. I think the aerial skating will be amazing.
"My grandchildren will like it.”
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