Children can explore a winter wonderland of frozen fun at Liverpool ONE’s Ice Festival this Christmas.
Liverpool ONE’s family festivities will start on Thursday 7 November, with the help of Dancing on Ice stars Samia and Slyvian who will take to the ice rink at the Ice Festival in Chavasse Park.
A glowing parade of light through the streets of Liverpool ONE and beyond will take place on Friday 8 November, when the city unites for the official start of Christmas in Liverpool with a spectacular Lantern Parade.
The event will see thousands gather to celebrate the official light switch-on in the City and watch their favourite pantomime stars from around the region cast their magical festive spells from the rooftops of Paradise Street.
Santa will arrive in style to Liverpool ONE on Sunday 24 November, marking the launch of Santa’s Grotto which will welcome thousands of children from the region to make their special wish to the man himself.
Crafts, children’s rides and even a 7D cinema, complete with reactive lighting, snow, wind and seat motion, is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Donna Howitt, Marketing Director for Liverpool ONE, said: “We are all so excited to get our festive activities underway and we look forward to welcoming families to enjoy all of the elements of the Ice Festival throughout the Christmas period.”
What’s On at Liverpool ONE
Liverpool Christmas Launch: Friday 8 November
Christmas officially arrives at Liverpool ONE on Friday 8 November, with an enchanting Lantern Parade and exciting entertainment throughout the streets, on rooftops, balconies and bridges! Liverpool ONE will come to life with performances from school choirs, musicians such as X Factors Harriet Jane, and the talented Ray Quinn will be skating on the open-air real ice rink. At the Ice Festival there will be live ice carvings and incredible skating performances from the Birmingham Ice Freestylers.
Ice Festival: Thursday 7 November – Sunday 5 January
Ice Rink
The sub-zero style destination, Liverpool ONE’s Ice Festival will be launched by Samia Ghadie and her Dancing on Ice partner Sylvain Longchambon when they take to the 20mx30m ice rink on Chavasse Park for the first time since their appearance on the hit ITV show on Friday 8 November. This year smaller inexperienced skaters will have their very own little rink and penguin skate aids will be available.
Ice Bar
The cool and contemporary pop up Ice Bar features a stunning room and furniture made entirely of crystal clear sculptured ice and will open to the public on Thursday 7 November. Access to the Ice Bar is ticketed in half hour slots and booking in advance is highly recommended.
Apres Bar
Apres, the alpine themed Cafe Bar, will provide the perfect stop off point for shoppers to grab a winter warmer or a tasty snack and there will be hot drinks for all the family to enjoy. You can take a break from ice skating in true style at the Apres Bar from Thursday 7 November.
Santa’s Grotto
Santa’s Grotto opens when Santa arrives in spectacular style at Liverpool ONE on Sunday 24 November. Children will be able to visit Father Christmas in his grotto so they can tell him what they want for Christmas this year and receive a gift from Santa himself before the big day arrives. Photos are also available to purchase as a memento of your special visit.
Santa’s Workshop
Little ones will love Santa’s craft workshop from Thursday 7 November, where there’s loads of creative Christmas crafts for them to make and take away with them, including:
• Crafts from Button Boutique
Children can decorate their own Christmas Stocking at this fun craft workshop, or decorate a Christmas Bauble or Peg Person to hang on their tree at home.
• Cake Decorating with Patti Cake
Santa’s Workshop will present yummy Christmas cakes to buy or children can get stuck in themselves by decorating their own cupcake or gingerbread to take home.
• Activities with Kreative Kaos
Little ones can have lots of fun with face painting, badge making, glitter tattoos and smile gems!
Childrens Rides and Attractions
Chavasse Park will be home to a festive helter skelter, plus teacups and Santa’s planes.
7D Cinema
Get the full sleigh ride experience with Liverpool ONE’s exciting 7D cinema. Watch the 3D Christmas film and get the full experience with reactive lighting, snow, wind and seat motion.
Tickets for all Ice Festival events can be purchased in advanced from www.liverpool-one.com/icefestival. Tickets are also available from the onsite box office open from Thursday 7 November located in Chavasse Park.
Late Night Shopping
Shoppers will be able to buy gifts and festive fashion at their leisure at Liverpool ONE with the launch of late night shopping until 9pm each night from Thursday 21 November.
Standard Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 9.30am – 8pm
Saturday: 9am – 7pm
Sunday: 11am – 5pm
*Bars, Restaurants and Leisure open until late.
Christmas Opening Hours
Thursday 21 November – Monday 23 December:
Monday – Friday: 9.30am – 9pm
Saturday: 9am – 8pm
Sunday: 11am – 5pm
Tuesday 24 December 2013 – Wednesday 1 January 2014
Tuesday 24 December (Christmas Eve): 8am – 5pm
Wednesday 25 December (Christmas Day): CLOSED
Thursday 26 December (Boxing Day:) 10am – 8pm
Friday 27 December: 9.30am – 9pm
Saturday 28 December: 9am – 8pm
Sunday 29 December: 11am – 5pm
Monday 30 December: 9.30am – 8pm
Tuesday 31 December (New Years Eve): 9.30am – 6pm
Wednesday 1 January 2014 (New Years Day): 10am – 6pm
Standard trading hours resume from Tuesday 2 January 2014
Ice Festival Opening Hours
Opens on Thursday 7 November until Sunday 5 January.
Ice Rink
Sunday – Thursday: 11am – Last Skate 8pm
Friday & Saturday: 11am – Last Skate 9pm
Apres Bar*
Sunday – Thursday: 12pm – 10pm
Friday and Saturday: 12pm – 11:30pm
*No under 18s after 8pm
Real Ice Bar*
Sunday – Thursday: 12pm – Last Entrance 8:30pm
Friday and Saturday: 11am – Last Entrance 10pm
* No under 18s after 8pm
Santa’s Workshop and Grotto*, including 7D cinema and attractions
Sunday – Saturday: 11am – Last Entrance 7pm
From Saturday 7th Dec: 10am – Last Entrance 7:40pm
*Grotto opens 24 November
Children’s Rides
Sunday – Thursday: 11am – 8pm
Friday and Saturday: 11am – 9pm
Box Office
Sunday – Thursday: 10:30am – 8pm
Friday and Saturday: 10:30am – 9pm
