Visitors to Manchester city centre will have the chance to get their skates on again this Christmas – with a bigger-than-ever ice rink in Piccadilly Gardens.
This year's rink will be 810 square metres, with room for 250 skaters at the same time - and will feature spectacular lighting.
On Ice at Piccadilly will open on Thursday 8 November - the night of Manchester's big Christmas lights switch-on event - and will be open from 10am to 10.30pm every day except Christmas Day until Sunday 6 January.
Bookings for skating sessions are already being taken. Contact Quaytickets on 0870 066 6841 or visit www.quaytickets.com (with booking fee).
On Ice at Piccadilly is a Manchester City Council event in association with two of the North West's major property companies, Argent and Bruntwood, and supported by Cityco, Manchester's city centre management company.
The aim is to provide an attraction that is 'family friendly' and will bring Christmas right to the heart of the city.
During your visit to the rink, you can also relax and enjoy drinks and snacks in the KRO On Ice chalet.
Manchester city centre spokesperson Councillor Pat Karney said: " On Ice at Piccadilly will attract many thousands of people to the city centre over Christmas and the New Year.
"It is a great place for people of all ages to enjoy themselves and combining ice-skating with the other seasonal attractions the city has to offer will make an unforgettable day out.
"We're turning Manchester into a winter wonderland. Make sure you book early because last year the ice rink broke all records."
Ice skating is just one of the festive attractions for visitors to Manchester city centre.
Manchester's Christmas lights will be bigger and better this year, providing a colourful backdrop to the season's celebrations.
Gifts galore and a cosmopolitan selection of food and drink will also be on offer at the city's famous Christmas Market in Albert Square, St Ann's Square and surrounding streets from 15 November to 19 December.
And visitors can get a bird's-eye view of the city from the Wheel of Manchester, which rises 60 metres (180ft) above Exchange Square.
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