Is it real ice?
Yes! The Jubilee Square Ice Rink is real ice and so wrap up warm. We’d recommend bringing a hat and warm gloves.
What dates and times is the ice rink open?
The ice rink is open from Thursday 1 December 2022 to Monday 2 January 2023, every day except Christmas Day (25 December). Open from 10am – 10pm (last session starts at 9pm). On Christmas Eve the last skate session will be at 6pm.
How long is the skating session?
Tickets cover a 45-minute skating session.
Where can I buy tickets?
The Jubilee Square Ice Rink ticket office is located at the front of the ice rink in Jubilee Square. The ticket office is open from 9.30am each day until 9.30pm. The ticket office will close at 6.30pm on Christmas Eve and the rink and the ticket office will be closed on Christmas Day. Tickets are also available to buy in person at Visit Leicester Information Centre at the King Richard III Visitor Centre and online at www.christmasinleicester.co.uk
How much are ice rink tickets?
Tickets are priced:
Preview: £5 Thursday 1 December 5pm – 9pm & Friday 2 December 11am – 9pm
Super off-peak: £5 for all tickets
Off-peak: £10 adult (16+) and £8.50 child (under 16)
Peak: £12 adult (16+) and £9.50 child (under 16)
Concessions Peak / £9.50 Adults (16+) and Off-peak / £8.50 Adults (16+)
Can I pay in cash at the ticket office?
The ticket office at the Jubilee Square Ice Rink is cashless and will take card payments only. If you do not want to pay by card or online via the Christmas in Leicester website, you can pay in cash at the Visit Leicester Information Centre.
Are there family, group or school trip discounts?
Yes, the more people that skate the more you save! Discounts are calculated automatically when booking online. For community and corporate group bookings of 10 +, please email Rachel.Fraser-Orton@leicester.gov.uk
Who is eligible for a concession?
Seniors and students are eligible for ticket concession. Please bring your valid ID or student card.
Is there a spectator area?
Yes, there is a free spectator area and viewing platform at our ice rink.
Do I need to print my ticket?
No, if you are unable to print your ticket then you can download it and we can scan it from your smartphone.
Can I get a refund or transfer my booked session time?
We do not offer refunds on any purchased tickets or extras unless a session is cancelled for unforeseen circumstances. If your session has been cancelled, you’ll be able to transfer your ticket to another session subject to availability.
Are there skate aids for children?
Skate aids are available to hire for £3 each, available only to those of 1.2m high or under. Tickets for skate aids can be purchased in the ice rink only at the skate collection point, on a first come, first serve basis. Only card payments will be taken inside the ice rink.
Are there ice skates to fit children?
Yes, ice skates start from children’s size 8 and go up to an adult size 15. For very little feet we have a number of double bladed ‘Bob’ skates that fit over your child’s own shoes (please be aware that their shoes may get wet).
How old do you have to be to skate on the rink?
Our minimum skating age is 3 years old. You can skate on our rink up to any age, although you’re responsible for skating safely. Skating isn’t recommended for anyone with a serious illness, health concern, heart condition or pregnant women.
Can my children skate with me?
Yes, children aged 3 and over are able to skate on the ice, adults can borrow over shoe grips if they need to accompany a child but do not wish to skate, however the accompanying adult would still be required to purchase a ticket. Children 12 years old and under must be accompanied on the ice by a parent or guardian who is 16 years or over. A ratio of 1 adult to 4 children will be accepted.
Is there a minimum height required to skate?
There is no minimum height required to skate. We suggest a skate aid is hired for little ones to help them find their feet on the ice. Parents and guardians must judge whether their children can skate safely.
Is the ice rink wheelchair accessible?
The ice rink is wheelchair accessible and manual and electric wheelchair users are able to go on the ice. If you buy your ticket online in advance, let us know you are a wheelchair user in the comments box. Please note – electric wheelchairs will need to be in manual mode. It’s free for carers to accompany wheelchair users on the ice rink.
Quiet sessions are also available for those with additional needs who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere without the risk of sensory overload. For quiet sessions, music and effect lights will be turned off and the capacity of the rink reduced.
For further advice, please contact Visit Leicester www.visitleicester.info
Travel
Getting to Jubilee Square Ice Rink
The easiest way to plan your journey is to go to www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk. The website is a one-stop shop for travel information in Leicester & Leicestershire, with a journey planner that allows residents and visitors to consider the different travel options available to them.
Park & Ride
For a relaxing and quick ride into city centre, use the Leicester Park & Ride service. Go to www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/parkandride for service information.
Car Parking
There are two public car parks both located within easy walking distance to the ice rink – NCP St Nicolas Circle with 715 spaces and the John Lewis Multi-Storey car park located off Vaughan Way with 2000 spaces.
Walking
Jubilee Square is right in the heart of the city centre; just 5 minutes’ walk from the clock tower, 10 minutes from Haymarket and St Margaret’s bus station and 15 minutes’ walk from Leicester train station.
Cycling
Town Hall Bike Park provides FREE secure cycle parking 7 days a week. There are also on-street cycle parking racks on Jubilee Square.
There is a Santander Cycles bike share station on Peacock Lane, close to Jubilee Square. Download the app at www.rideonleicester.com
See www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk for full walking, cycling & public transport options. Including a Leicester route-finder tool.
Bus and Coach
The Haymarket and St Margaret’s Bus Stations are both less than a 10 minute walk from Jubilee Square.
Leicester Rail Station
Jubilee Square is 15 minutes’ walk from the train station depending on your walking pace.
General Information
What is the ice rink size and capacity?
The ice rink is 40 metres by 17 metres, which allows a capacity of 225 skaters during a session.
Can I wear my own skates?
Yes, you’re welcome to bring your own hockey or figure skates to wear. Please note this will not reduce the price of your ticket.
What time should I arrive?
Please make sure you arrive at the site at least 30 minutes before your skating session is due to start. This allows enough time to get fitted with the correct size skates and to store personal belongings.
What happens if it rains?
Don’t worry! The ice rink is covered with a clear roof to gaze up at the sky without worry of getting wet. In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a session due to extreme weather conditions or act of God, we will re-book you for another session.
Where can I leave my belongings?
Bags of any description are NOT permitted on the ice, so we advise you to only bring the essentials with you. All bags must either be placed in the cloakroom provided (£1 charge) or with someone in your party who is not skating. Please do not bring large baggage or valuable items to the ice rink. We accept no responsibility for personal belongings.
Are there toilets at the ice rink?
There are toilets at the ice rink plus plenty of toilet facilities nearby. Please ask a member of the team for directions. For further Information and locations of changing places toilets can be found at www.leicester.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/roads-and-pavements/care-and-cleaning/changing-places-toilets/find-a-changing-places-toilet/
What do I do if I have lost something during my visit?
Please ask for the ice rink Duty Manager on-site as soon as you realise you may have lost something or email info@visitleicester.info
Can I bring food/drinks/alcohol?
No bottles, cans, alcohol or food are allowed into the skate hire area or on the ice. Glass is not permitted on the viewing platforms. Inside of the rink there are festive food stalls selling a selection of sweet and savoury Christmas treats, hot drinks and alcohol.
And finally… Ice skating is great fun and should be an enjoyable experience for all. Here’s the serious bit…
- Ice skating is a sport with inherent risks. Patrons skate at their own risk.
- A first aid point is situated on site at the ice rink.
- Ticket holders under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted on the rink.
- All 11th Hour team members have Disclosure and Barring Service checked.
COVID-19 and the Jubilee Square Ice Rink
Although measures have relaxed, we are aware that COVID-19 has not disappeared. It is in our interest to ensure that visitors and staff at the rink are well protected and feel safe.
We encourage good hand hygiene by using soap and water and hand sanitiser when necessary. If you have suspected symptoms of COVID-19, then we ask that you test if you can stay away from others where possible until feeling better.
There is no requirement to wear face masks, however some people may prefer to wear them in crowded areas whilst at the rink.