York’s most popular Christmas attraction, the outdoor ice rink, The Ice Factor, returns this November to its new location at McArthurGlen’s York Designer Outlet, celebrating its seventh successive season in the historic city.

Located outside the designer outlet, the award-winning Ice Factor promises to be better than ever this year as the ice rink will become the centre piece for Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland surrounded by a festive market and traditional fair rides alongside the skating, all adding to the Christmas magic.

As the area undergoes its theatrical transformation, The Ice Factor’s 900sqm real ice rink will be turned into a Winter Wonderland village square, flanked by heated skate hire and café/bar marquees and surrounded by log cabins, an illuminated forest with reindeer, and a 30ft giant Christmas tree in the centre of the rink.

And when you’re done with the fun outside, why not pop inside to take advantage of over 120 leading designer and high street brands at up to 60 per cent less. And with free and ample parking, there’s no need to go anywhere else in Yorkshire for your fun and Christmas shopping. 

Selected as one of the Top 10 Christmas Ice Rinks nationwide
by The Sun, The Guardian and The Times

Situated right beside the ice rink, the glass-fronted, heated Ice Bar & Café is the ideal spot for those who don’t wish to skate but want to watch the fun outside. And if you’ve been for a skate it’s the perfect place to warm up or cool down (depending on how energetic you’ve been!).

The Ice Bar and Café, open from 9:30am til late daily, offers a selection of hot and cold food using locally sourced produce, and a large choice of wines, spirits, beers, soft drinks and winter warmers such as mulled wine, Sloe Gin or hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream!

And remember, The Ice Factor is made of 100% real ice.

This year The Ice Factor offers even more discounts and special prices to entice every wannabe Torvil & Dean. Clubs, Parent & Toddlers and York Residents are some of the ticket types available to all. And of course, groups of 20 or more continue to receive their discount of £1 off per ticket.

With over 100 schools enjoying the fun and exercise last year, The Ice Factor has joined forces with Ebor and Jorvik Schools Sports Partnership this year to encourage even more pupils to get skating and stay healthy, and enjoy an introductory lesson complete with certificate from our NISA*-qualified coaches. As always, teacher goes free.

Whether you’re a novice or fancy yourself as a bit of a pro, our Ice Marshals are on hand at all times to prise you off the handrail and get you skating, or to give you a tip so that you can finesse your style. Skate School is back again this year with group lessons from our NISA qualified coach available (dates to be confirmed) and to help your toddler get confident on the ice, we have special ice shoes as well as our stabliser, Bobo the Penguin, who is joined by more of his friends this year.