Ice skating is returning to the heart of York.
Plans have been revealed for a pop-up ice rink in Museum Gardens over Christmas.
It will be provided by the team behind Thor’s Tipis after they were approached by the gardens’ owners York Museums Trust.
Called Thor’s On Ice, the rink will be built on a platform at the back of York Art Gallery. Skaters will get to it via the gates to the right of the gallery.
It will be covered, to keep any rain or snow off the skaters, but the cover will be transparent so people can enjoy views of this historic corner of York, next to the city walls.
Powered by an under-rink freezer, it should be available even on milder winter days. For those unsure of their skating ability, there will be penguins to hold onto.
Non-skaters will be able to watch from the veranda at the back of the art gallery.
The pathway to the rink is to be decorated with Christmas trees and fairy lights. And as well as the skating, there will be food and drink stalls.
It’s been 16 years since the Ice Factor pop-up rink operated on the Eye of York, before moving to the Designer Outlet.
Thor’s has run a festive tipi serving food and drink in front of the Museum Gardens’ Multangular Tower since 2023.
Amanda Monaghan, director at Thor’s, told YorkMix: “York Museums Trust contacted me, probably only about six weeks ago, to say that they would love to do something in the gardens.
“I just think it’d be really magical space to have an ice rink. It was very exciting to be asked, and obviously it fits with having Thor’s in the gardens, so we were delighted to put together a proposal for them.
“It’s not something we’ve done before, but we love doing new things.”
Amanda said it was great to be bring a fresh attraction to the city at Christmas. “What a wonderful day out in York to visit the Christmas market and the independent shops, have a mulled wine at Thor’s, and then go for a skate.
“I mean, you might want to do the ice skating before the mulled wine! But it will add to the Christmas experience in York, and hopefully it’ll help with footfall and the city.
“It’s a lovely thing for residents as well to be able to do at Christmas.”
A spokesperson from York Museums Trust said; “We are excited to confirm we will be hosting an ice rink in the York Museum Gardens this winter.
“This will bring a new experience to the heart of the city for both residents and tourists.
“We are thrilled to be working with local company Thor’s on this project, creating a bespoke experience in a historic setting.”
Amanda said the council had been “brilliant to work with and super supportive”.
And she added: “One thing we’ve learned about working in the Museum Gardens is it’s such a sacred, celebrated space. We’ve got to be super careful, and we always are.”
Thor’s On Ice will run from 13 November to 3 January. The rink will measure 19m by 22m and will be big enough for 150 skaters.
“It’s quite an intimate space, so it’s not going to be a huge event. I think it’ll just feel really lovely for people to enjoy.”
Skates will be available to hire. Prices haven’t been worked out, but the organisers say they’ll be “competitive” with season tickets for those who want to return a few times.
They should start to go on sale in August. There are more details coming to the Thor’s On Ice website.
