A ‘skate in the sky’ ice rink experience is coming to Manchester
Skaters can glide over the ice whilst looking down at live entertainment, ranging from an orchestra playing Christmas songs to screenings of festive film favourites
It appears that Manchester is to be blessed with not one but two Christmas ice skating rink experiences this festive season.
During the build-up to Christmas, revellers will be able to “float on ice in the sky” thanks to Escape To Freight Island, whichis bringing its own ‘skate in the sky’ ice rink experience to Manchester.
By hoisting an ice rink up onto the mezzanine floor at The Ticket Hall inside Depot Mayfield, the venue promises to give skaters “remarkable views” as they look down on all the entertainment taking part on its inside stage this festive season.
It will sit on a brand-new mezzanine floor made by concretene – a newly developed graphene-enhanced concrete created at the University of Manchester.
Skaters will be able to soak up Christmas entertainment from below – gliding across the ice to the sounds of Christmas covers from The Untold Orchestra, or to the soundtrack of some all-time festive Christmas movie favourites.
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Image: Escape to Freight Island
The ice rink will be part of the venue’s winter village festivities, which will also see Escape To Freight Island welcome in festive traders, a Christmas tree forest, a hog roast grill, mulled wine and hot cider huts, and more.
Transformed into a winter wonderland from Friday, 5 November, the Winter Island experience will combine a traditional Christmas market with an immersive series of live events.
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The ‘skate in the sky’ ice rink, however, will not open to the public until Friday, 12 November.
The ice rink opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 4 pm until 11 pm, and Friday to Sunday from 10 am until 11 pm. Tickets are priced at £13 / £10 for adults (peak / off-peak times); £11 / £8 for children (peak / off-peak times); and £10 for students.
General sale is on Wednesday, 3 November at 9 am – but you can sign up now to get access to pre-sale bookings.
Loads of legendary retro steam trains will be travelling through Greater Manchester this weekend
Emily Sergeant
History will be rolling through Greater Manchester this weekend, as loads of legendary steam trains will be showcased.
East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) Legends of Steam event is back again for its third year after proving to be so popular last spring.
The heritage railway is already known and loved for its calendar of themed events for families all year round, with wizard, dinosaur, and Alice in Wonderland-themed being some of the fan-favourites, as well as its Thomas the Tank Engine replica and its Halloween and Christmas specials.
But this weekend’s event is one especially for the retro steam train lovers.
Returning this weekend from Friday 10 – Sunday 12 April 2026, well-known historic steam trains such as the A1 60163 ‘Tornado’, and the Battle of Britain 34070 ‘Manston’, will be what are known as the star guests at the three-day event.
The West Country 34092 ‘City of Wells’ and the L&Y/LMS Class 23 No. 11456 will also be making appearances across the weekend.
Loads of legendary retro steam trains will be travelling through Greater Manchester this weekend / Credit: ELR
If you’re after a particularly special experience, then on Friday 10 and Sunday 12 April, ‘Tornado’ will be paired with a 1960’s Freight Train, and as part of this collaboration, ELR is offering Brake Van Rides for a supplementary fare.
This isn’t the only stand-out pairing either, as over the weekend, the 34092 ‘City of Wells’ will be paired with the guest 34070 ‘Manston’ for some double headed specials.
This special pairing is actually because 2026 marks 60 years since the closure of the famous Somerset and Dorset Railway, where it was common to see these Bulleid Pacifics at the head of the ‘Pines Express’ – which ran from Manchester to Bournemouth.
There’s also a number of dining experiences to make the most of too.
As part of the Dining With Legends series, rail enthusiasts are invited to sit back in one of the opulent Pullman-style carriages and enjoy fine dining whilst being hauled by the legendary ‘Tornado’.
Legends of Steam returns on this Friday 10 – Sunday 12 April, and tickets are on sale now.
Both day ticket and dining options available, and you can find out more information and grab your tickets on the ELR website here.
Featured Image – ELR
What's On
Parklife 2026 | all stage splits and stage times
Thomas Melia
One of Manchester’s biggest music festivals, Parklife, is back at Heaton Park and has just announced its stage splits for its 2026 line-up.
Parklife 2026 is just around the corner, and with some hefty headliners, it’s safe to say this year is looking absolutely stacked in terms of amazing music.
Get ready to immerse yourself in not one but two days soundtracked by some of the world’s best DJs, b2b sets, live performances and more.
This year’s a biggie too, as Scottish dance heavyweight Calvin Harris, Swedish sensation Zara Larsson, Bradford’s own Nia Archives, and London lad Skepta are just some names planning to win over the Heaton Park crowd.
So grab a paper and pen because it’s time to make a note of all the artists you’re interested in seeing and which stage they’re playing live, so you can make the most of your Parklife experience.
Parklife 2026 | Stage splits and stage times
Saturday 20 June
Skepta and Sammy Virji are headliners for Saturday 20 June at Parklife 2026 in Heaton Park / Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Alistair McVeigh (supplied)
G Stage
12pm – 1.30pm | Mya
1.30pm – 3pm | A For Alpha
3pm – 4.30pm | The Trip
4.30pm – 6pm | Kepler
6pm – 8pm | Locky b2b Phill De Janeiro b2b Benji King
8pm – 9.30pm | Locklead
9.30pm – 11pm | Jamback
Magic Sky
12pm – 1pm | North Base
1pm – 1.40pm | Catching Cairo
1.40pm – 2.30pm | Lens (w/ Dread)
2.30pm – 3.20pm | Born On Road (w/ Carasel)
3.20pm – 4.15pm | Kanine(w/ Rage)
4.15pm – 5.15pm | Wilkinson (w/ AD-APT)
5.15pm – 6.10pm | Bou (w/ B Live 247)
6.10pm – 7.10pm | Dimension
7.10pm – 8.15pm | Andy C (w/ Tonn Piper)
8.15pm – 9.10pm | Hedex (w/ Eksman)
9.10pm – 10.05pm | Mozey (w/ 2Shy)
10.05pm – 11pm | K Motionz (w/ IC3)
Matinée
12pm – 1pm | Niamh
1pm – 2pm | ATRIP
2pm – 3pm | MPH
3pm – 4pm | Oppidan
4pm – 5pm | Effy
5pm – 6.20pm | MALUGI b2b Sam Alfred
6.20pm – 7.40pm | Marlon Hoffstadt
7.40pm – 8.40pm | Morgan Seatree
8.40pm – 10pm | Mall Grab
10pm – 11pm | Daria Kolosova
Panorama
12pm – 1.15pm | Ellia Jaya
1.15pm – 2.30pm | Julian Fijma
2.30pm – 3.45pm | bullet tooth
3.45pm – 5pm | SOSA
5pm – 6.30pm | Cloonee
6.30pm – 8pm | ALISHA
8pm – 9.30pm | Rossi.
9.30pm – 11pm | East End Dubs
The Valley
12pm – 1pm | Rich Reason & Yami
1pm – 2pm | Alexandria
2pm – 3.30pm | Prospa
3.30pm – 5pm | Josh Baker
5.15pm – 6pm | 4am Kru
6.30pm – 7.30pm | Nia Archives
8pm – 9pm | Skepta
9.30pm – 10.45pm | Sammy Virji
Sunday 21 June
Zara Larsson and Calvin Harris are headliners for Parklife 2026 on Sunday 21 June at Heaton Park / Credit: Charlotte Rutherford / Press Shot (supplied)
G Stage
1pm – 1.50pm | Mattik b2b Larishka
1.50pm – 2.40pm | Shade V b2b Rich Reason
2.40pm – 3.40pm | Dismantle
3.40pm – 4.40pm | Douvelle19
4.40pm – 5.10pm | Window Kid
5.10pm – 6.10pm | Osmosis Jones
6.10pm – 7pm | Arthi
7pm – 8pm | Bushbaby
8pm – 9pm | BAKEY
9pm – 10pm | SHY FX
10pm – 11pm | RYOTA
Magic Sky
1pm – 2.10pm | Cam Stockman
2.10pm – 3.20pm | Olive F
3.20pm – 4.30pm | DXNBY
4.30pm – 5.40pm | Riordan
5.40pm – 6.50pm | Omar+
6.50pm – 8pm | Marsolo
8pm – 9.30pm | L.P. Rhythm
9.30pm – 11pm | Obskür
Matinée
1pm – 2.15pm | 4000HZ
2.15pm – 3.30pm | Saidah
3.30pm – 4.45pm | Fumi
4.45pm – 6pm | Diffrent
6pm – 7.20pm | Faster Horses b2b Benwal
7.20pm – 8.20pm | ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U
8.20pm – 9.30pm | blk.
9.30pm – 11pm | AZYR
Panorama
1pm – 2pm | Minna
2pm – 3pm | Delilah
3pm – 4.10pm | Silva Bumpa
4.10pm – 5.20pm | Luuk Van Dijk
5.20pm – 6.30pm | Chloé Caillet
6.30pm – 8pm | Ewan McVicar
8pm – 9.30pm | KETTAMA
9.20pm – 11pm | Chris Stussy
The Valley
1pm – 2.15pm | Nicola Bear
2.15pm – 3.15pm | Mix-Stress
3.30pm – 4.15pm | Clementine Douglas
4.30pm – 5.30pm | Armand Van Helden
6pm – 6.45pm | Rudim3ntal
7.15pm – 8.15pm | Zara Larsson
9.15pm – 10.45pm | Calvin Harris
Parklife 2026 has delivered a stellar line-up once again, and if you’re after catching any of these artists live at Heaton Park later this year, you can grab a range of tickets.
Feel like Saturday is more your vibe? Check out the ticket option for just Saturday, 20 June HERE, or if Sunday sounds better for you, then grab a ticket or two for Sunday 21 June HERE.
And if one day just isn’t enough, how about a whole weekend? Enjoy two days of live music with tickets for Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
2nd November 2021 
