Nottingham's Winter Wonderland 2024 opening time and details confirmed

The finishing touches are being put to Nottingham's Winter Wonderland ahead of the official opening on Wednesday November 13. Old Market Square has been taken over by the ice skating rink and aerial path Sky Skate, a towering Christmas tree, and the observation wheel offering the best views of the city.

The official opening by Nottingham City Council dignitaries and the Mellors Group will take place at 4.30pm. The Yuletide event will run until December 31.

Shoppers can browse gifts and treats at the festive market stalls lining Long Row and Smithy Row. The market will shut up shop on December 24. However, the attractions, bars and food and drink stalls will be open every day, apart from December 25, until New Year's Eve.

The event in Old Market Square is free to enter so festive fun-seekers can browse the market stalls, buy food and drink, or simply lap up the atmosphere.

But some of the attractions have an admission fee. Ice staking is one of the activities with a cost attached. Prices for the rink and Sky Skate start at £12.50 per adult and £8 for children under 12. Reduced price super off-peak and off-peak staking is available to residents who pay council tax to Nottingham City Council.

A jam-packed programme of live entertainment over the next six weeks includes vocalists, DJs, magic, stilt walkers, and a brass quartet. A nationwide study ranked the Christmas market as the fifth most popular in the UK.

The team at Christmas Tree World analysed the duration of each market, number of Instagram and TikTok posts, annual search volumes, average nightly price of nearby hotels and the proximity to each city’s central train station. Birmingham topped the table, followed by Edinburgh, Manchester and York.