If you’ve never been in the city during Skating At Festival, allow us to paint you a mental picture – the usually sparse concrete expanse of King George Square is turned into an actual legitimate ice rink. That’s right – you can get your skate and sled on in the open air, all while a snow machine is blowing frosty flakes around to complete the European fantasy. There is also the famous Runway slide that allows you to race through the rink on a rubber tube, adding to the fantasy that you are in fact an extra in a movie scene at the Rockefeller Centre (except you sub The Rock with City Hall).
For those who prefer to watch gleefully from the sidelines and aren’t prepared to cop potential bum bruises from clumsiness (we’ve all been there), there is plenty to keep you occupied in the makeshift Euro-style winter village that surrounds the rink. There will be food and beverage stands doling out bone-warming eats and treats akin to a winter market – full details are still under wraps but you can think along the lines of rich hot chocolate and chai, pretzels, German sausages and more. Keep your eyes on the Skating At Festival Facebook event for more information.
Entry to the Skating At Festival is free, but you’ve got to book tickets to get your skate and sled on – pick them up here.