Yes, the Leeds Christmas Market features a 400-square-meter covered ice rink known as the "Ice Cube at Christmas," located in Millennium Square. Running alongside the market stalls and festive funfair, it offers daily skating sessions from late November through December 31, 2025.
Is there an ice skating rink in Leeds Christmas Market?
Leeds is set to sparkle this holiday season as the much-loved Ice Cube at Christmas returns to Millennium Square, Victoria Gardens, and Cookridge Street from 21 November 2025.
With humble beginnings as an open-air Christmas market in Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland has since grown into an extravaganza with ice skating, shows, roller coaster rides, street food stalls, festive bars and live music.
What time does the Ice Cube close? The rink closes at 9.15pm Monday to Thursday, 10.15pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7.15pm on Sundays. Find out more about the opening times. The funfair and stalls close at 9.30pm Monday to Thursday, at 10pm on Friday and Saturday, and at 7pm on Sundays.
What to expect - Hot chocolate, mulled wine, churros, Yorkshire pudding wrap, German sausage, crumble, raclette, alpine bar, BBQ, skating rink, marshmallow toasting, rides and lots more! It's on until 31st December. 📍 Leeds Christmas Market 2025✨
Leeds Christmas Markets return from 21st November 2025
And at the heart of the city, on Millennium Square and Victoria Gardens, you'll find festive market stalls alongside family-favourite Christmas rides including the Carousel, the Big Wheel and Ice Cube ice-skating, which is on from 21 November to 31 December.
People make a mistake by wearing jeans to an ice rink. It isn't impossible to skate while wearing jeans, but since falls are highly likely, you want something that will dry quickly. Also, you want something that will not constrict your legs, so you can move more easily. Leggings or sweatpants would be a good option.
Ice Cube is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Music, Celebrity and Television & Film. The estimated speaking fee range to book Ice Cube for live events is $200,000 and above, and for virtual events $100,000 - $200,000.
Ice skating's smooth motion is gentle on the joints, making it a great option for those dealing with arthritis or joint pain. Unlike high-impact activities, skating reduces the stress placed on your knees and hips.
Yorkshire boasts fantastic Christmas markets, with top choices including York St Nicholas Fair for historic charm, Leeds Christmas Market for scale and ice skating, Harrogate Christmas Fayre for a European feel with carollers, and smaller gems like Grassington (Dales charm), Malton (foodie focus), and Skipton (historic street atmosphere) for unique festive experiences, plus seasonal markets at The Piece Hall (Halifax) and Sheffield.
Yes, Leeds has a major "Winter Wonderland" experience annually, centered around the Leeds Christmas Market in Millennium Square and City Square, featuring an outdoor ice rink (Ice Cube), festive stalls, food, rides like the Wheel of Light, and often light trails at nearby parks like Roundhay Park or Temple Newsam. It transforms the city centre into a festive hub with markets, illuminations, and activities from mid-November through December.
Eat a carbohydrate-rich snack a half hour to an hour before practice. Carbohydrates fuel our muscles and our brains, which are both necessary before getting on the ice for practice.
“The cost of the refrigeration is astronomical,” explained Ms Coombes, citing electricity bills of £3,500 per day just to keep the rink cold 24/7. And at Christmas, you're paying for more than just time on the ice.
As with panties, the types of bras worn, and the decision of whether to wear them or not, is left up to each skater. During practice, most women wear sports bras. They not only provide support, but added warmth for long hours of practice as well. During competition, some wear them and some do not.
The temperature inside an ice rink is often very cold. The average ice rink temperature is typically 17-29 degrees Fahrenheit. This represents the on-ice temperature, although air temperatures inside ice rinks are typically kept cool, around 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lincoln Christmas Market was axed in 2023 by the city's Labour-led council due to concerns about overcrowding. The Conservative opposition proposed a £190,000 increase to City of Council's budget to fund the market's return.
Where is the best German Christmas market in the UK?
For the best German Christmas market experience in the UK, Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market is the top choice, renowned as the largest authentic German market outside Germany and Austria, offering traditional food (bratwurst, pretzels, glühwein), crafts, and live music in Victoria Square and New Street. Other excellent options with strong German vibes include Manchester's extensive markets and seasonal offerings in cities like Bath and York, though Birmingham is the standout for authentic Teutonic delights.
A devastating fire ripped through the indoor market on the evening of Saturday, December 13, 1975, leaving two-thirds of the site in ruins. Thankfully no lives were lost, but scores of stalls and shops were destroyed in a part of the market that dated back to the 19th century.
