Christmas arrives at the National Ice Centre!

Last weekend saw Gem 106 Radio’s Joe and Sparky swap the studio for the skates at the National Ice Centre to set the venue alight in festive spirits at this year’s Christmas lights switch on. The Visit Nottinghamshire team were pleased to be invited and had a fantastic afternoon watching the iconic ice rink turn into a festive explosion right before our very eyes.

In preparation for the main event, guests were welcomed to the rink by Nottingham’s Competitive Synchronised Skating Team who performed a piece for the public ahead of that afternoon’s competition, which was incredible to watch and really set the uplifting mood for the rest of the afternoon.

The event gave you the opportunity to be the first on the ice once it was all lit up for the festive season, and allowed families and friends to meet their local radio stars Jo & Sparky from Gem 106. And they have really come through with the seasonal vibes this year! From the decorations around the arena to the delicious hot chocolate available in the Sub Zero cafe, it’s the perfect spot for some festive fun and a cosy catch up. We definitely recommend keeping an eye out for the Christmas lights switch on next year!

Georgia, Business Visits and Events Assistant at Marketing Nottingham, said: 'It was amazing to join the event, the venue is beautiful anyway but to see it lit up for the festive season is incredible. It’s so great to have the community come together at one of the city’s largest and most eventful venues for something as special as their Christmas lights'.

More Christmas Events

The National Ice Centre have got a calendar full of more fantastic Christmas events this December. Stop by their Santa's Grotto for your chance to meet the man himself each weekend from Saturday 9th December. A ticket includes meeting with Santa, a skating session, a Christmas gift and a drinks token.

They are also hosting a Princess & Superheroes Party on Saturday 30th December especially for families. This is the ultimate fancy dress party for your little ones and you can expect music, balloons, and incredible ice-skating! Whether you're looking for a happily ever after or a wham, bam, pow time, their party is going to be fun.

If your little ones loves dressing up, why not also join their Festive Character Skate on Saturday 2nd December? It's going to be a magical skating session with Christmas lights and a majestic tree where you skate around the rink with elves, snowmen, reindeer and gingerbread men!

Their first-ever Great Santa Skate will see hundreds of skating Santas take to the ice to help make Christmas special for children living in poverty. It's the perfect family-friendly event, taking place on Friday 22nd December.

The main arena ice rink at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham will also be joining the festivities this year with their new Christmas Film Skate event. Skate around this famous rink whilst watching the well-loved festive film, Elf on the big screen. Catch it on Thursday 21st December.

Over the school holidays, the National Ice Centre are also running a Christmas Holiday Club, open to children aged 7-13. They’ve got an exciting schedule which will help children to develop skills and boost confidence in preparation for their ice skating sessions. Each day will be full of sporting activities, perfectly planned to enhance co-ordination, agility, and develop a wide range of other skills ready to transfer onto the ice. Children will then put all these into practice as our staff help them learn some basic skating skills, designed to improve their experience of ice skating.

New to the venue? Not a problem! The friendly and welcoming team at the arena are always on hand to help anyone who may be lost or want some more information on upcoming events and tickets.

Coming from a distance? Nottingham has some brilliant transport links between itself and many other cities around the UK. With a bus stop right outside the arena, it has never been easier to enjoy a spot of Christmas ice skating. If you’re coming from further afield then the NET Trams are an easy hop on hop off service and can take you to the Lace Market Tram Stop, which is just a short walk from the venue. Or if you’re grabbing the train, Nottingham train station about a 15 minute walk from the National Ice Centre.

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This blog was written be Georgia Cowdrey, Business Visits and Events Assistant at Marketing Nottingham.