Skate Manchester Is Open: Ice Skating in Manchester Starts Today

The wait is over. Skate Manchester opens today, Friday 6 November, at Cathedral Gardens, and ice skating in Manchester is officially back for winter. From now until 3 January 2027, the city’s outdoor rink is ready for wobbles, laughs and that moment you finally find your feet. Whether you’re planning a festive day out with the kids, a date night under the lights or a catch-up with friends, here’s everything you need to know before you lace up.

What to expect at Skate Manchester this winter

Skate Manchester sits in Cathedral Gardens, right in the heart of the city centre, with its own little festive corner and market to browse before or after your skate. It’s a short stroll from Manchester Cathedral, the National Football Museum and the Christmas Markets, making it the easiest way to add something a little magical to your Christmas in Manchester.

• A covered rink under festive lights, so you can skate whatever the Manchester weather
• Skate aids and helmets available, so first-timers and little ones can build confidence on the ice
• Sessions for every kind of skater, from parent-and-toddler mornings to SEND sessions and evening skates with friends

Special Deals & Discounts

NEW THIS SEASON: Transferable Tickets: Plans change, and your ticket can too. Every ticket is flexible: you can switch the date or time of your session up to 24 hours before you skate. Throughout November, the rink opens from midday on weekdays, so a lunchtime skate or an after-school session is easy to fit in.

Weekday offers on ice skating in Manchester

Skate Manchester is a winter tradition for everyone, so there’s a weekday offer for almost every kind of skater. Most run until 18 December:

• Local Love: 20% off Monday and Tuesday sessions from 9 November with code LCLOVE2026
• Kids Skate for Free: Tuesdays, 4–6pm, from 10 November. Adults pay for one session and skate for two
• Parent & Mini Skater: weekdays, 2–3pm, £15 for both. A gentle session for little ones taking their first steps on the ice
• SEND Sessions: Mondays, 3–4pm, from 9 November. A calmer, adapted skate designed with accessibility and sensory needs in mind
• Student Skate Nights: £10 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 3–9pm, plus a Student Group Pass covering 6 skaters for £50. Outside those nights, students get 20% off standard sessions with code STUDENT20 (valid ID needed)
• Blue Light workers: 20% off standard sessions for NHS, police, fire and ambulance workers with code BLUELIGHT20
• Groups: 15% off for groups of 20 or more, with bespoke packages for 50+

Schools and community groups can skate for £5 per person on dedicated weekday sessions. Find out more about school trips or email community@skatemanchester.com.

Make a day of it this Christmas in Manchester

Looking for Christmas things to do in Manchester? Start with a skate, browse the festive market right here in Cathedral Gardens, then pop round the corner to The Grotto at the Corn Exchange. Wander through the Christmas Markets, warm up with a hot drink and soak up the lights around the cathedral. Skate Manchester is designed to sit at the centre of a festive day out, not compete with it. Weekends and the run-up to Christmas are the most popular times on the ice, so it’s worth booking early if you have a date in mind.

Book your session

Skate Manchester is open from today until 3 January 2027 at Cathedral Gardens. Grab your crew, pick your session and come and make some winter memories on the ice. Book your session at skatemanchester.com

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