Next month marks the highly anticipated return of a beloved North East attraction for the holiday season.
The enchanting ice rink at South Shields’ Ocean Beach Pleasure Park reopens on December 8th, inviting skaters to enjoy its icy delights until January 7th.
The ice rink’s opening is just one of many family-friendly events taking place in South Shields throughout the festivities and will also coincide with the Winter Parade, organised by South Tyneside Council. It will kick off at 5.30pm, pulling in the crowds as it makes its way from Ocean Road along to the seafront.
Ice skating will begin at 4pm and end at 8pm – meaning anyone taking part is in a prime position to watch the parade.
While families visiting the ice rink are guaranteed a really ‘ice’ time, the rink will also be available to anyone who wants to learn to skate, as well as groups, companies, schools and colleges who want to book a celebration with a difference.
The rink will be open to the public every Friday from December 8, on weekends from 11am until 7pm, and every day for the school holidays from Friday, December 22, from 11am to 7pm.
On Christmas Eve visitors will be able to enjoy the real ice rink from 9am to 9pm. The rink will be closed on Christmas Day.
The team at Ocean Beach has also booked out a number of days which have been designated for exclusive use, where up to 40 people can have the rink to themselves for £300.
Private bookings are available Monday to Friday, from 10am to 7pm, until the kids break up for the Christmas holidays.
Michael Sheeran, Operator at Ocean Beach Pleasure Park, said the ice rink has become a firm favourite in the North East’s Christmas calendar.
He said: “It has been so popular since we launched it two years ago that we knew we would bring it back for 2023.
“We get people from all over the North East visiting us for a fun-filled family day out.”
Although the rides will not be open, the arcades and quasar laser will be open and there will be a variety of festive food available at Log Cabin Fisheries, Ocean Food Court and Scoop and Bean, including Yorkshire Pudding Wraps, Pigs in Blankets, hot doughnuts, churros and Christmas tree waffles. There will also be a selection of hot drinks and mulled wine.
“While the outdoor rides are now closed until we open for the 2024 season, visitors can still use their fun cards in the arcades as we’ll have plenty of Christmas-themed toys and sweets that they can win on the machines and from our ticket redemption store,” added Michael.
Skating prices are £10 for adults (13 and over) £8 for children aged between three and 12 and £30 for a family session of two adults and two children, or one adult and three children. A number of skate aids are also available at £5 each.
Other Christmas activities taking place in South Tyneside include a Santa’s Grotto at Haven Point, from December 2 to 23, organised by South Tyneside Council.
For further information about the ice rink and booking visit: https://www.oceanbeach.co.uk/ice-skating/
