Preston Christmas On Ice returns to the Flag Market

Preston's Flag Market is about to turn into a proper Christmas destination again. Preston Christmas On Ice returns to the city centre from 4 December to 3 January, and the headline attraction is a real ice rink right in the middle of town. It's the kind of thing that pulls in families and couples alike once the cold sets in, and it's back for another festive run.

If you're planning to skate, it's worth knowing how the sessions work so you don't turn up at the wrong time. Each slot is 45 minutes on the ice, with a 30-minute booking window that gives you 15 minutes to lace up before you get your 45 minutes of skating. The first skate is at 11:30 and the last at 8:30pm, so there's plenty of room to fit it around work or school. Prices are £12 for adults and £10 for children, with a family ticket at £40 for two adults and two children, £16 for a parent and toddler under five with a skate aid, £10 for students with a valid ID, and carers go free with an adult or child. If you're a bit wobbly on your feet, a Polar Bear skate aid is available for an extra £5.

For anyone with younger children, the best part is actually free. Santa's Grotto costs nothing to visit, and Santa himself makes appearances on the ice, so it's a chance to see him in action rather than just sitting in a room. There's a special Santa post box too, so kids can post their Christmas wish lists straight to the North Pole. The Grotto is open daily from 12pm to 7pm, which is handy if you want to build the visit around a skate.

Beyond the rink, the site fills out with rides, games and prizes, so it's more of a full afternoon or evening than just a quick skate. The food is a big draw this year, with the legendary Spud Bros back on the line-up. They've been serving their loaded spuds in Preston since 1955, and they're joined by Yorkshire pudding wraps, German hot dogs, Greek gyros, fudge, sweets and hot chocolate, all put together in association with Proper Food. It's the sort of spread that makes staying warm a lot easier.

A few practical things to sort before you go. The site is open daily throughout the season, Monday to Thursday 10am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 10pm, and Sunday 10am to 8pm, though it closes on Christmas Day, so check the full dates for Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year's opening. There's step-free access across the whole site, several car parks are only a short walk away, and the bus and railway stations are easy to reach, which makes it an easy one to drop into without much planning. One tip that's worth taking: some of the areas are outdoors, so bring warm layers, because standing around in the cold is a lot less fun when you're underdressed.

Tickets are bookable online, which is the sensible way to do it rather than turning up and hoping for a slot. With the rink, the free Grotto, the rides and the food all in one place, it's an easy way to fill a festive afternoon in the city centre. Whether you're a seasoned skater or just in it for the loaded spuds and the Grotto, it's a fixture of Preston's Christmas that's worth a visit.