A new Christmas ice rink in York Museum Gardens, offering skating, food and drink stalls, and festive cabins.
Thor's on Ice opens at York Museum Gardens on 13 November, running through to 3 January. It's a new Christmas addition to the gardens, and it brings ice skating back to the city centre for the first time in sixteen years — the last one, Ice Factor, closed at the Eye of York in 2010.
The rink is a collaboration between Thor's, the York Museums Trust, and the City of York Council. It's tucked away on a paved patio at the back of the York Art Gallery, bordered by the city's ancient walls and close to the Multangular Tower. The setup takes nine days to build, using freezer pads and layered water to make the 19m by 22m ice surface. A clear cover goes over the top, so you're sheltered from the winter weather while you're on the ice.
Around the rink, there are seasonally themed cabins selling food and drink, including a signature hot Aperol recipe. Skate hire is available on site, so you don't need your own pair to get on, and season tickets are an option if you're planning on making a habit of it over the weeks.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in York and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
It's the first time the team behind Thor's festive tipis — which have been in the Museum Gardens since 2023 — has run an ice rink. The whole thing runs from 13 November to 3 January, with skate hire and season tickets available.
