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On 13th November 2019 the enchanting Liverpool Ice Festival returns for another year, as Pier Head is transformed into a winter wonderland.
This will be the fourth year for the Liverpool Ice Festival at its iconic waterfront location, featuring:
Liverpool’s biggest ever ice slide
Last year we went on the Ice Slide with the Kids at Liverpool Ice Festival and have been asked a few times recently is it worth queuing for?
The answer all depends on how long you need to queue for! It is the UK’s longest real Ice Slide and has three super-speedy 30m runs so you can experience a heart-racing buzz – and it is fast and it is fun!!
My answer however regarding the queue is to go in the week – not at the weekend! You’ll thank me for it, I promise! You can’t book a timed slot for the Ice Slide and it WILL be full at the weekend. The queue for the last two weekends was up to two hours at times! Go in the week, straight from school and you are unlikely to queue at all!
It’s great fun, but in my view absolutely not enough fun to be worth waiting 2 hours in the cold for!
You do however get a great view of the city and can see the waterfront lit up and at its prettiest!
Book online before you head into town, that way you know you can slide. We did the Ice Slide as soon as we arrived into town as there was no queue, and then went onto the Ice Skating for our timed slot at 5pm.
Wear hats and gloves and coats that cover you bottom! Jeans or at least long trousers also a great idea.
Opening Times:
Open daily from 13th November to 5th January excluding Christmas Day
13th November – 18th December
11:00 – 21:00 Weekdays
10:00 – 21:00 Weekends
19th December – 5th January
10:00 – 21:00
Price:
Admission – 3 slides …………………………………………………… £6.00
You can buy tickets here!
Ice Skating at Liverpool Ice Festival
Huge covered outdoor rink giving skaters the chance to glide in style with a stunning backdrop of the world-famous Three Graces.
Last year we went Ice Skating with the Kids at Liverpool Ice Festival and here are 5 Top Tips!
Go in the week – not at the weekend! You’ll thank me for it, I promise! Even though you book the Ice Skating in time slots, it WILL be full at the weekend and far harder for the kids to try it out. Go in the week and you’ll have more space around the ice – we went for the 5pm slot and it was really nice and quiet.
Use the area in the middle of the ice for the kids to practice in – it’s safer and makes them feel more secure.
Book online before you head into town. That way you know you can have the slot you want and you don’t have crying children like I did last year when I couldn’t get a slot until 9pm (far too late for us.)
Opening times:
Open daily from 13th November to 5th January excluding Christmas Day
13th November – 18th December
11:00 – 21:00* Weekdays
10:00 – 21:00* Weekends
19th December – 5th January
10:00 – 21:00*
*Please note that the last skating session is 20:00-21:00
Skating sessions start on the hour and last for 45 minutes. The ticket price includes skate hire. It is recommended that you arrive 30 minutes before your session to get ready to take to the ice!
Prices:
Adult/Teen 13+ …………………………………………………………… from £12.00
Children 3 – 12 yrs …………………………………………………….. from £10.00
Family Ticket (1 adult + 3 children or 2 adults + 2 children)……………from £40.00
Skate Aid …………………………………………………………………………… £5.00
All children must be accompanied by Adult (Min 3+ years old)
Take an extra pair of hands. It’s hard to get the ski boots on and off and you’ll get no help from the staff – they are young and fairly rushed (even when it’s quiet) and not the most helpful.
Wear hats and gloves and coats that cover their bottoms for when they fall over. Jeans or at least long trousers also a great idea.
Take extra cash with you and hire a penguin, but factor this into the cost. It’s an extra £5 for the penguins the kids can use to help them skate and stand up. Essential if you take 3 kids on your own like I did last year. It’s also £2 no-refundable deposit for the locker too which you’ll want to use to put your handbag in etc. The lockers are however really small so don’t take much with you – certainly don’t go after you’ve been shopping.
Rides & Games
Christmas just wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a Christmas fun fair!
Liverpool Christmas Ice Festival has lots to keep all the family entertained and this year they’ve got even more to suit all ages. New this year try out the Ferris Wheel, there is quite a view from the top!!
Plus there’s a Victorian Helter Skelter, Santa’s Dumbo ride, Santa’s Train, Tea Cups and many more kiddies rides. Or, if you’re looking for more breath-taking thrills, why not brave the UK’s Only Ice Jet Ride, the Ice Blast Booster, the Mega Mix or the Ski Jump?
How do you book?
Rides start from £2 per person. There is no need to book, simply choose when you are at the Festival and pay at the Box Office – but do remember that the weekend will be especially busy and there will be more queues.
Food & Drink
Make sure you bring an appetite to Liverpool Christmas Ice Festival because they’ve got a fabulous Pop Up Food Court waiting for you!
It’s open every day and will be offering freshly prepared food including German sausage cooked over hot coals! Try the hot chocolate, coffees, teas and mulled wines or sample a hot roast roll, or crepe smothered in delicious hot chocolate for a little bit of food heaven.
Plan your visit to Liverpool Ice Festival
For general information please read the frequently asked questions.
Liverpool Christmas Ice Festival
Pier Head
Georges Parade
Liverpool
L3 1DP
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Merseytravel’s journey planner is a quick and easy tool to help you plan your journey. Click here and enter Pier Head, Georges Parade, Liverpool, L3 1DP as your destination.
BY CAR
Leave the M6 at Junction 21a, and take the M62 towards Liverpool. Follow the M62 to the end, keeping directly ahead for the A5080. Continue on this road until it merges into the A5047, following signs to Liverpool city centre, Albert Dock and central tourist attractions. Pier Head Ferry Terminal is signposted from the city centre. Satnav reference – L3 1DP.
PARKING
Car parking is available near the waterfront and Pier Head at Q-Park, Liverpool One, 35 Strand Street Liverpool City Centre, L1 8LT
Liverpool One Parking – www.liverpool-one.com/plan-your-visit/parking/
Box Office Opening at the Ice Festival
From the 9th November you will be able to book in person at the box office at the Ice Festival.
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