Bristol's Christmas ice rink is not at Millennium Square any more. For 2026, it's called Bristol On Ice, and it runs at the Lloyds Amphitheatre on the Harbourside, close to Anchor Square and the Harbourside Christmas Market, from 28 November to 27 December. Adult skating sessions are priced at £14.95, children's at £12.95, with a £49.95 family ticket and £5 skate hire, though you should confirm the final booking details on the operator's site before you travel.
Where is Bristol's Christmas ice rink?
If you remember ice skating outside We The Curious on Millennium Square, that rink stopped running back in 2019. The current rink, trading as Bristol On Ice, has moved a short walk away to the Lloyds Amphitheatre on Explore Lane, next to the Spiegeltent and Waterfront Square, right on the harbour's edge. It's being run by Crow Leisure Group, a family-run events operator, and 2026 is its first year in Bristol.
The site is a few minutes' walk from Millennium Square and sits close to the Anchor Square end of the Harbourside Christmas Market, so the two are easy to combine on one trip into town.
What happened to the Millennium Square rink?
An outdoor rink ran on Millennium Square most winters from 2013, under what was then At-Bristol Science Centre. In October 2019, We The Curious announced it was scrapping the seasonal ice rink for good as part of its pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030, citing the energy used to keep an outdoor rink frozen. A roller disco ran in its place for a season, and Millennium Square's winter offering since then has generally been a funfair-style event (most recently branded Vintage Winter Wonderland) with rides, a big wheel and an après bar, but no ice.
Bristol has also been without a permanent indoor rink in the city centre since the old Frogmore Street ice rink closed in 2012; that site is now student accommodation. Bristol On Ice is the first dedicated ice rink to return to this part of the centre since then.
Dates and opening hours
For its opening year, Bristol On Ice is scheduled to run from 28 November to 27 December, opening daily from around midday until 10pm. Skating sessions run hourly through the afternoon and evening and last about an hour each. Entry to the wider festival site, including the tipi bars and rides area, is free; you pay separately for skating, rides, food and drink.
Because this is a new, privately run event rather than a long-established fixture, treat these as the dates announced ahead of the season and double check the operator's site closer to the time, especially if you're planning around a specific date like Christmas Eve or New Year.
Prices and tickets
Prices announced for the 2026 season are as follows. These are the figures given by the operator at launch, so check the booking site for the current price before you buy, particularly later in the season or for peak dates.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult skate session (17+) | £14.95 |
| Child skate session (5-16) | £12.95 |
| Family ticket (4 admissions) | £49.95 |
| Skate hire | £5 |
Sessions can be booked in advance through the operator's website. Booking ahead is worth doing for weekends and the run-up to Christmas, when slots are more likely to sell out.
What else is on site
Alongside the rink, the operator has said Bristol On Ice will include a 65-metre observation ride called the Star Flyer, a faster fairground ride billed as the Après Ski Party, and two tipi bars (an Après Skate Tipi and a Mulled Tipi) serving festive drinks and food. Live music is planned in the main tipi on weekends from around 3pm. It's aimed at a broad mix of visitors, from families doing an afternoon of skating and rides to groups meeting for evening drinks.
Getting there and parking
The Harbourside gets busy on weekends and in the run-up to Christmas, and the area around the amphitheatre has no dedicated car park of its own. If you're driving in, our guide to Bristol city centre parking and rates covers the nearest options and what they cost. Walking or getting the bus into the centre and finishing on foot along the Harbourside is usually less hassle than trying to park right by the rink.
Tips for visiting
- Book your skating slot online in advance rather than turning up, especially on weekends.
- Wear gloves and warm layers; you'll be standing around on ice and by the water, which is colder than the rest of the city centre.
- Bring your own thick socks if you're renting skates, for comfort and a better fit.
- If you have very young children, check the minimum age or height for skating before you book, since this varies by operator and wasn't fully confirmed at launch.
- Pair your visit with the Harbourside Christmas Market stalls nearby, or make a longer day of it with Bristol's other Christmas events.
Other ice skating options near Bristol
If Bristol On Ice is sold out, isn't running yet for the season, or you'd rather skate indoors regardless of weather, Planet Ice at Cribbs Causeway is a permanent indoor rink a short drive from the centre and usually runs Christmas-themed sessions including a Santa skate. Avon Valley Adventure Park near Keynsham has also run a seasonal outdoor rink in past years. Neither is in the city centre, so they're best treated as a backup rather than a replacement for a harbourside visit.
Frequently asked questions
Is there still an ice rink at Millennium Square?
No. We The Curious stopped running its Millennium Square ice rink in 2019 for sustainability reasons and replaced it with a roller disco, then later with funfair-style winter events. There is no ice rink on Millennium Square for the current season.
Where exactly is Bristol On Ice?
It's at the Lloyds Amphitheatre on Explore Lane, on the Harbourside, near the Spiegeltent and Waterfront Square, a short walk from Millennium Square and Anchor Square.
How much does it cost to skate?
As announced for 2026, adult sessions cost £14.95, children's sessions £12.95, a family ticket for four is £49.95, and skate hire is an extra £5. Entry to the wider site is free. Confirm current prices on the operator's booking page before you go.
Do I need to book in advance?
You don't have to, but it's recommended, particularly for weekends and the days around Christmas, since sessions run hourly with limited capacity.
Is there an indoor ice rink in Bristol?
Not in the city centre. Planet Ice at Cribbs Causeway is a permanent indoor rink a short drive away and is open year-round, with extra Christmas sessions in December.
Is this the first year Bristol On Ice has run?
Yes, 2026 is its first season at the Lloyds Amphitheatre. Because it's new, it's worth checking the operator's own site for the latest dates and prices rather than relying only on early announcements.