Colchester's Culver Square ice rink runs 5 December to 3 January, its operator says, not from 14 November. Tickets are not on sale yet; skate aids cost £7.50.
Colchester is getting a covered, real-ice rink in Culver Square this Christmas, and its operator says it runs from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. That is three weeks later than the date the city centre business improvement district is still advertising.
The quick answer
The rink’s own website gives 5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. InColchester, the BID, says it opens on Saturday 14 November, switch-on day. No tickets are on sale and no session prices have been published, so nobody can book either date yet.
Two dates, one rink
Both sources are first-party, and they disagree.
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Colchester Ice Rink Ltd, the operator, in its 2026 season post of 17 September | Runs 5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 |
| InColchester, the BID, on its Christmas in Colchester page, read on 29 September | Opens Saturday 14 November 2026 |
The operator runs the ice, so its dates carry more weight. Two things stop us calling it settled. The rink’s homepage still reads “Website launching soon” and is a sign-up form, not a booking page. And the operator’s posts have been edited as recently as 26 September, so the programme is still being put together.
Our advice: do not plan a skate around the Christmas lights parade on 14 November until tickets are on sale for that date. The parade itself is confirmed, and our Christmas lights switch-on page has the detail.
What kind of rink it is
The operator describes a real-ice rink, not a synthetic surface, and a covered one, so sessions are protected from the weather while the square keeps its outdoor feel. Skate hire is included in every skating ticket, so you do not need your own skates.
The sessions it lists for the season:
- Public skating, the standard session.
- Family and toddler sessions for younger children with their families.
- Relaxed (SEN) sessions, covered below.
- Schools and home education sessions.
- Disco evenings, with music and lighting.
- Private hire for businesses, groups and parties.
No session lengths, times or daily timetable have been published.
Prices so far
Ticket prices have not been published. The only charges the operator has put out are for extras:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Skate aid, reserved with an online booking | £7.50 per aid, per session |
| Skate aid, hired on the day | £8.00, if any are left |
| Skate hire | Included in the ticket |
Skate aids are in limited supply. The operator says that if the option does not appear when you book, all of them have gone for that session.
20% off for service staff. The rink is offering 20% off to active and retired Army personnel, NHS staff, and members of the fire, police and ambulance services, with proof of service shown on arrival.
A pre-sale discount. The BID says anyone who pre-registers on the rink’s website gets updates and a discount code before tickets go on general sale. The operator’s own sign-up form promises pre-sale updates and “special discount offers”.
Relaxed sessions and wheelchair access
The Relaxed (SEN) sessions are the most detailed part of what has been published. According to the operator:
- They run at reduced capacity, with calm music, mood lighting and no loud interruptions.
- Wheelchairs are allowed on the ice in Relaxed sessions only, not in standard public sessions. Speak to the team on arrival for help getting onto the rink.
- They are open to children and adults, and you do not need a diagnosis to book.
- Helmets are welcome, and skate aids can be booked.
- Because capacity is lower, there are fewer places, so book early once sales open.
What to wear
The operator’s advice: warm, comfortable layers you can move in, socks that sit smoothly inside a skate, and gloves, which it strongly recommends. Arrive before your booked time to collect and fit your skates.
Getting there and parking
Culver Square is in the city centre shopping area. The council’s two city centre multi-storeys keep different hours, and the difference matters for evening skates:
| Car park | Hours | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| St Mary’s, 577 spaces | 24 hours Monday to Thursday; 5am to 10pm Friday to Sunday | £2.70 for an hour, £4 for two; £2.40 evening entry after 6pm |
| St John’s, 645 spaces | 5am to 7pm; locked from 7pm to 5am | £2.70 for an hour, £4 for two |
Do not leave a car in St John’s for a disco evening. The council locks it between 7pm and 5am, and it is closed on Christmas Day. St Mary’s shuts its entrance lane at 10pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, though you can drive out at any time.
Full tariffs for every council car park are on our parking in Colchester page, and Colchester roadworks and travel lists anything disrupting the drive in.
The rest of the Christmas season
- Christmas lights switch-on parade, Saturday 14 November, 5pm, from the Mercury Theatre: switch-on page.
- Jack and the Beanstalk at the Mercury Theatre, 21 November to 17 January: pantomime page.
- Colchester Christmas Market and the Moot Hall gift market, Sunday 6 December, the day after the operator’s opening date: Christmas market page.
- Santa’s grottos at the Castle, the Zoo and the Mercury: grotto page.
When this page will change
We will update it when tickets go on sale, when session times and prices are published, and if either the operator or the BID changes its opening date.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Colchester ice rink open in 2026?
The operator, Colchester Ice Rink Ltd, says 5 December 2026. The city centre BID still gives Saturday 14 November. Tickets are not on sale for either date yet.
Where is the Colchester ice rink?
In Culver Square, in Colchester city centre. It is a covered rink on real ice.
How much is the Colchester ice rink?
Skating prices have not been published. Skate hire is included in the ticket, skate aids are £7.50 if reserved online or £8 on the day, and serving and retired forces, NHS and emergency service staff get 20% off.
Can wheelchair users skate at the Colchester ice rink?
Yes, in the Relaxed (SEN) sessions only. Wheelchairs are not allowed on the ice in standard public sessions.
Sources
- Colchester Ice Rink, homepage
- Colchester Ice Rink, 2026 season post
- Colchester Ice Rink, Relaxed (SEN) sessions
- Colchester Ice Rink, reserving a skate aid
- Colchester Ice Rink, service heroes discount
- InColchester, Christmas in Colchester
- Colchester City Council, St Mary’s car park
- Colchester City Council, St John’s car park
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