A brand-new festive hub has been announced for Manchester city centre, where you’ll be able to visit a new ice rink, drink cocktails in a snow globe-like rooftop dome, and get merry in a yurt.
There’ll be a whole host of new experiences to check out in the new St John’s district, just a stone’s throw from Spinningfields.
A major new attraction here will be Winter Assembly at Courts Club, which will be home to the city’s newest, fully independent ice rink, plus karaoke huts and festive film screenings.
Courts Club is a new social venue that opened this summer, combining basketball, tennis, boules, beer, light bites and a slice of the beach all in one place.
But from 8 November, it’ll be taken over by On Ice, who previously operated the Spinningfields ice rink, offering a premium alternative to the family-friendly ice rink down at Cathedral Gardens. Tickets are currently only £12 and on sale now here.
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Once you’ve finished sliding around on the ice there’ll be food including winter gyros from Lucky Gyros, festive grilled cheeses, boozy hot chocolate, German BBQ specials and more.
If you prefer to keep your feet on non-slippy ground, there’ll be a ‘Chalaoke huts’, where you can cosy up in a log cabin with your own private karaoke machine.
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Courts Club will be home to an independent ice rink in Manchester. Credit: SuppliedChalaoke huts at Winter Assembly at Courts Club. Credit: Supplied
There’ll even be open fires where you can toast marshmallows and a giant Christmas tree to add to the festive atmosphere.
And Winter Assembly at Courts Club will be screening Christmas classics like Love Actually and Home Alone.
Elsewhere in the St John’s creative district, The Dome – previously only accessed by those ‘in the know’ – will be open to the public.
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This rooftop dome space will be transformed into a winter oasis that will feel like stepping inside a giant snow globe, with a programme of weekend events and a full bar (plus the option to book the whole thing out for parties up to 200 guests).
The snow globe-like festive edition of rooftop space The Dome. Credit; Supplied
And The Lawn Club’s festive yurt will be back, filled with sheepskin blankets, an installation made up of Christmas decorations, twinkling lights, and DJs.
There’ll be festive food, boozy hot chocolates and winter warming cocktails.
The party will run into the early hours on Fridays and Saturdays, plus there’ll be a festive bottomless brunch running from 10 November.
All three exciting additions – the ice rink and Chalaoke at Courts Club, the snow globe bar at The Dome, and the festive yurt at The Lawn Club – come from Shiko Group.
Disney On Ice is bringing its ‘Find Your Hero’ tour to Manchester this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Disney On Ice is returning to Manchester with a brand-new magical adventure for the whole family this festive season.
I know June has only just begun and that officially means summer is here, but do you fancy just casting your minds forward to Christmas for a second?
That’s because Disney On Ice has announced today that it’ll be heading out on a tour of the UK once the festive season rolls around, and of course, the tour’ll be making a stop here in Manchester.
Audiences will get to discover what it truly means to be a hero, as Mickey and Minnie Mouse and all their friends from the Disney Kingdom come together to take families on a journey of unforgettable moments as they bring timeless tales to life on ice.
The production will travel throughout the UK, visiting places like Birmingham, Nottingham, Newcastle, Aberdeen, and Belfast, all before arriving at Manchester’s AO Arena.
This is your chance to re-live famous Disney stories with all of your favourite characters, alongside the magic of classic Disney songs and world-class ice skating.
Disney On Ice is bringing its ‘Find Your Hero’ tour to Manchester this Christmas / Credit: Supplied
The talented Disney On Ice cast rehearse for more than 550 hours to perfect each performance and encapsulate the characters, while a team of choreographers, and set and costume designers, create more than 200 props and more than 200 different costumes.
Encanto, Moana, Frozen, The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, and Tangled are just some of the legendary Disney tales you can see reimagined when Disney On Icepresents Find Your Hero arrives in Manchester this December.
Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero 2025/26 tour dates
bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham: 29 October – 9 November 2025
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham: 12 – 16 November 2025
Utilita Arena, Newcastle: 19 – 23 November 2025
P&J Live, Aberdeen: 27 – 30 November 2025
SSE Arena, Belfast: 5 – 7 December 2025
AO Arena, Manchester: 10 – 14 December 2025
Utilita Arena, Sheffield: 17 – 21 December 2025
O2 Arena, London: 26 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
The magical production is arriving at the AO Arena this December / Credit: Supplied
The production brings beloved characters to life through cutting-edge figure skating, eye-catching costumes, and stunning set designs, with innovative lighting and thrilling special effects, making it an experience the whole family will treasure forever.
Disney On Icepresents Find Your Hero arrives at Manchester’s AO Arena from 10-14 December 2025, and tickets go on Three+ presale on Monday 9 June and AO Arena presale on Thursday 12 June, both at 9am.
All before they then go on general sale next Friday 13 June, again at 9am.
London attraction The Curling Club is now expanding into Manchester
Thomas Melia
Well-reviewed winter attraction The Curling Club, which has already made a name for itself in London, is now making its way to Manchester.
Set to open in Manchester’s world-class skyscraper district, New Jackson, The Curling Club is keeping its stay short and sweet, with a three-month residency here in the city centre.
Curling Club will signal in the mid-winter season as it runs from late November right through until the end of February, giving you a lengthy period of time to sweep ’til your heart’s content.
This sports-themed pop-up opened in the capital last year, offering guests a wintery escape packed with food and drink choices, accommodating up to 600 people at a time, right next to The Shard.
The Curling Club is set to open in Manchester this November until February.Imagine a pint or two in this curling haven in Manchester this year.Credit: Justin De Souza
Now, Manchester’s latest activity bar destination is bringing its charm and competitiveness to Manchester for the first time ever, hoping to emulate the success of its capital predecessor while encouraging people to pick up the sport.
Just like the original London location, their Manc site will feature the iconic custom-built lanes and sustainably-made granite stones, which are set to improve your precision and control – fancy that.
We’re sure will still somehow manage to be the worst players in the room at any given time.
If that wasn’t enough curling expertise for you, there will also be on-site coaches helping guests perfect their technique and providing some top-notch advice.
There will even be an exclusive appearance from Olympic gold medallist Eve Muirhead and Team GB’s ‘Chef de Mission’, Mark England, who will be hosting select events across the two cities.
Manchester can expect a similar curling set-up this year.The glitter-ball dancers ready and waiting for this wintertime.Credit: Justin De Souza
New Jackson will be the ultimate backdrop for this innovative winter experience as the venue will be curating seasonal cocktails as well as being home to live DJS, glitter-ball dancers and some seriously good food.
You had us at booze and scran.
Keep this seasonal site in mind as they’re already marking themselves as a destination for work parties, events, group outings and Christmas party celebrations.
Trevor Bowers, Chairman of The Curling Club, said of the impending opening: “With this expansion and other plans, we’re accelerating our national rollout – all while staying focused on delivering exceptional, high-quality experiences for both guests and corporate clients during the winter season.”
Daisy Jackson -
16th October 2024 
