Nottingham Winter Wonderland returns to Old Market Square on Thursday 12 November, with Christmas market stalls, ice skating, an observation wheel, festive bars and entertainment in the city centre.
The event runs until Thursday 31 December 2026, although the Christmas market stalls will close on Christmas Eve.
Entry to Winter Wonderland is free, meaning visitors can browse the market and enjoy the atmosphere without buying a ticket. Charges apply for individual attractions, including ice skating, the Ice Bar and the Observation Wheel.
Here is what visitors need to know about opening times, prices, activities and booking arrangements.
When does Nottingham Winter Wonderland open?
Winter Wonderland opens on Thursday 12 November in Old Market Square, Nottingham, and runs until New Year’s Eve on 31 December.
The Christmas market operates until Thursday 24 December, while the ice rink, Observation Wheel and festive bars continue after Christmas.
Attractions are closed on Christmas Day.
What are the Christmas market opening times?
From 12 November until 11 December, the Christmas market stalls open at 10am daily.
From Sunday to Thursday, stalls close at 6.30pm, while on Fridays and Saturdays they remain open until 8pm.
Between 12 and 24 December, the opening hours are extended, with stalls operating from 10am to 7.30pm Sunday to Thursday and from 10am to 8.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
The market will include stalls selling Christmas gifts, crafts, food and seasonal refreshments.
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Is Nottingham Winter Wonderland free?
Yes. There is no admission charge to enter Winter Wonderland or walk around the Christmas market.
Visitors only need to pay if they choose to use ticketed attractions, purchase food and drinks or buy items from market traders.
There is no requirement to book a ticket simply to enter the event.
Ice skating and Sky Skate
The ice rink and elevated Sky Skate Ice Path return for 2026, allowing visitors to skate at ground level or above Old Market Square.
A separate children’s ice rink is also available, with penguin skate aids for younger skaters.
Standard skating admission includes access to both the main ice rink and the elevated Sky Skate path.
Each skating session lasts 75 minutes, including at least one hour on the ice and a 15-minute period for resurfacing.
Skates are provided as part of admission, although visitors can bring their own. There is no discount for using personal skates.
Children must be at least four years old to skate, and those under 12 must be accompanied on the ice by a parent or guardian. Children aged 12 and over can skate without an accompanying adult if they are competent skaters.
Skate aids are available free of charge for children under 12, although numbers are limited and they can only be used on the children’s rink.
Lockers are available from £1, subject to availability.
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Ice rink opening times
The normal skating hours are:
- Monday to Thursday: 12.30pm to 10.30pm, with the last session at 9.15pm.
- Friday: 11.15am to 11pm, with the last session at 9.45pm.
- Saturday: 10am to 11pm, with the last session at 9.45pm.
- Sunday: 10am to 10.15pm, with the last session at 9.15pm.
Special hours apply on certain dates in December.
On Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve, the rink opens from 10am until 8pm, with the final skating session beginning at 6.45pm.
Ice Bar prices and opening times
The Ice Bar returns with ice sculptures and drinks served in ice glasses.
For 2026, standard adult admission costs £19.50 and includes two drinks.
Premium adult admission costs £22.50 and includes two drinks and a glass of prosecco.
Children’s tickets cost £11 and include one soft drink.
The minimum admission age is five years old.
Visitors are advised to bring warm coats and gloves, although some are available to use on site.
During November, the Ice Bar opens from noon until 9pm Monday to Thursday, with last entry at 8pm.
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, it opens from 10am until 10pm, with last entry at 9pm.
In December, Friday and Saturday opening hours extend until 11pm. Sunday closing remains at 10pm, while Monday to Thursday hours remain noon to 9pm.
Special opening hours apply over Christmas and New Year.
Observation Wheel
The Observation Wheel returns to Old Market Square, offering views over Nottingham city centre and the Christmas market.
In November, the wheel operates from 10am until 10pm Monday to Thursday, 10am until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10am until 9pm on Sundays.
In December, it opens from 10am until 11pm Monday to Saturday and 10am until 10pm on Sundays.
On Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve, the wheel closes at 8pm, with the final session at 7pm.
Tickets can be booked through the event’s official website.
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Toboggan slide and activities for children
The toboggan slide returns to Winter Wonderland this year.
Unlike some of the other attractions, tickets for the slide are purchased on site and do not need to be booked in advance.
Families can also use the children’s ice rink, while Breakfast with Santa experiences are advertised for 6, 9 and 13 December.
These include breakfast, Christmas activities, a meeting with Father Christmas and a gift for each child.
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Festive bars, food and live entertainment
The Sur La Piste and Altitude ski bars return for 2026, providing indoor festive drinking and dining areas.
During most of November and December, they open from 11am until 11pm Monday to Friday, 10am until 11pm on Saturdays and 10am until 10pm on Sundays.
From 16 December, weekday opening moves to 10am.
Both venues close at 8pm on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve.
Live entertainment will also take place throughout the event, including DJs, singers, tribute acts and themed evenings.
The opening day’s advertised programme on Thursday 12 November includes Robbo at Altitude from 5pm to 7pm and Spencer DJ on the main stage from 6pm until 10pm.
Do visitors need to book tickets in advance?
Although entry to Winter Wonderland is free, organisers recommend booking individual attractions in advance to secure preferred dates and times.
Tickets can also be purchased at the event’s ticket office on the day, subject to availability.
Bookings are available through the official Nottingham Winter Wonderland website.
Tickets are issued electronically and can be shown on a smartphone.
Are discounts available?
Organisers offer a 10 per cent discount on attractions for Blue Light Card holders and members of the Armed Forces.
This discount is available only when booking at the on-site ticket office, with valid identification.
Student and concessionary tickets are also available for selected activities.
Is Nottingham Winter Wonderland accessible?
Organisers say most of the event is accessible to wheelchair users and visitors with pushchairs.
A lift provides access to the upper-floor Sur La Piste and Altitude areas, while the Sky Skate path has ramp access for wheelchair users.
The Ice Bar is an exception, as its floor is covered with small stones, meaning organisers cannot describe it as wheelchair accessible.
Accessible toilets are provided.
Carers can enter most attractions free of charge when accompanying an eligible concession ticket holder with the required identification, but this does not apply to the Ice Bar or Observation Wheel.
Visitors with specific accessibility requirements can contact the organisers on 0115 697 6061.
How can visitors pay?
Winter Wonderland operates primarily as a cashless event.
The main bars and attractions accept card and mobile payments, including Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and Android Pay.
Individual Christmas market traders may have different payment arrangements.
Where is Nottingham Winter Wonderland?
The event takes place in Old Market Square in Nottingham city centre.
The square is served directly by Nottingham’s tram network, while city centre bus services stop within walking distance.
Visitors travelling by car can use city centre car parks, although they should check for roadworks and traffic restrictions before setting off.
Further information, attraction bookings and the latest opening times are available at https://nottinghamwinterwonderland.co.uk.
