The Ice Village returns to Manchester

A FROZEN REALM FULL OF MYTHICAL BEASTS & ROYAL REGALIA: THE ICE CAVERN RETURNS TO MANCHESTER THIS CHRISTMAS FOR A SECOND FANTASTICAL YEAR

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NEW FOR 2019: ICE TIKI BAR & ICE SLIDE

The ice sculptors who created the incredible Ice Cavern at last year’s Ice Village Manchester are set to return this Christmastime, and they’ve hand-sculpted a whole new ice experience especially for Manchester.

For the second year running, Cathedral Gardens will be re-imagined as the Ice Village. The most family-friendly and wintery quarter of Manchester Christmas Markets, it’ll include Santa’s Grotto, a brand new ice rink, and traditional market stalls selling Christmas gifts plus festive food and drink – all produced in partnership with Manchester City Council. The showpiece attraction will be the ICE CAVERN: a purpose-built temporary structure with an interior temperature maintained at a shivery minus-10º. Deep within the cavern is a frozen Christmas must-see: a breathtaking visitor attraction carved using over 250 tonnes of solid ice. 

Having taken visitors on a journey to Santa’s frozen toy factory in 2018, for 2019 the ice sculptors have completely hand-carved an entirely new ice adventure. This year’s Ice Cavern transports visitors to an even more fantastical domain: a distant realm of ice and snow, inhabited by legendary ice beasts including a unicorn, a griffin, and a massive dragon bathed in fire-red light. These mythical creatures guard the entrance to a frozen castle, its battlements and turrets all built from solid blocks of ice. Once inside the castle’s ice-block walls, enjoy a royal encounter with a frozen prince and princess. When you visit the Ice Cavern you’ll want to see AND be seen, hence carved from ice along the way are unique and regal #iceselfie opportunities, including a Royal Carriage made of ice that visitors can actually step inside. Everything inside the Ice Cavern, from the castle’s translucent stained ice-glass windows to its rock solid walls, is made entirely of ice. Work on creating these awe-inspiring ice sculptures begins as early as June for a November opening.

NEW FOR 2019: By popular request, this year’s Ice Cavern will incorporate a considerably larger Ice Bar. Britain’s young royals were big fans of a Tiki bar, and within the Ice Cavern this year is the ICE TIKI BAR. A frozen slice of the South Pacific, there’ll be Easter Island ‘Moai’ ice statues, exotic cocktails served in Tiki mugs, and a Polynesian Christmas party ambience. This tropical and chilled ice paradise is set to be Manchester’s coolest bar this festive season. There’s something here for all the family, so you might prefer to end your royal Ice Cavern experience with a treat for your little ones, because there’ll also be a MINI ICE SLIDE. 

The Ice Village quarter will once again be a home from home for Santa. An essential part of the festive season, SANTA’S GROTTO at Ice Village Manchester is an opportunity for your little ones to meet Father Christmas. His charming timber cottage is set amidst the regal trees of Cathedral Gardens. We all know about Santa’s adventures with Rudolph the Reindeer – but have you heard the story about Santa and the fire-breathing dragon?

ALSO NEW FOR 2019: Arena’s new ice rink SKATE MANCHESTER CATHEDRAL GARDENS will feature a clear roof this year, allowing customers to enjoy the enchantment of skating under the sun, moon and stars. Now skaters can enjoy a 45-minute skate whatever the weather to get into the festive spirit of the season. 

Manchester Cathedral Gardens, 8 November 2019 – 5 January 2020

Published: 25-Sep-2019: (5561)