At-Bristol, the Harbourside science centre, will again host a real-ice ice rink on Millennium Square this winter. This year, special events will include a 'fire and ice' launch event, 'Frozen sing and skate-along' sessions and a Christmas lights switch-on spectacular. The ice rink will also be joined by weekend market stalls on Millennium Square from the Harbourside Market in the run-up to Christmas.

Returning for a second year, the ice rink will open from Saturday 8November until Sunday 6January; tickets are on sale now, and include sessions open to the general public, schools groups, evening discos and special under-eights sessions. Located in the heart of the Harbourside, the 450m² ice rink will again run underneath At-Bristol's iconic chrome-plated Planetarium building, with a maximum capacity of 150 skaters per session.

The launch event on Saturday 8 November is open to the public (5-7pm) with a 'fire and ice' theme; featuring a pyrotechnic display from Cameron Balloons, as well guest appearances by Elsa from Disney's Frozen, free face painting and appearances from Heart FM's breakfast DJs Ed and Paulina. Tickets can be booked by calling At-Bristol's Booking line on 0845 345 1235.

Special events include two 'Frozen sing and skate-along' sessions using the Big Screen on Sunday 30 November and Saturday 13 December (both 11am), and a professional skating display from the Bristol Ice Skating Club on 16 November (11am session).  

This year, the real-ice ice rink will also be accompanied by Christmas market stalls from the Harbourside Market, who will be on Millennium Square every weekend from 28 November featuring local artisans, crafters, artists, designer-makers and food creators. There will also be regular choirs and bands, and an enormous 8m Christmas tree next to the Planetarium, to really add to the festive atmosphere of the ice rink!

Donna Speed, At-Bristol's Commercial and Operations Director said: “After the popularity of the ice rink last year, we're delighted to see the return of the rink this winter. We're really thrilled to be able to add to the Christmas atmosphere in the Harbourside, especially with the addition of the Harbourside Markets, and with the special events including Frozen sing and skate-along,  sessions for under-eights, as well as evening disco sessions, there really should be something for everyone!”

Tickets will cost £8.50 for adults, £7.50 for concessions and £6.50 for children, with reduced entry rates for group bookings and a discount for booking online. Opening times vary, so please visit www.at-bristol.org.uk/icerink or call our Bookings team on 0845 345 1235 (Monday to Friday 9-5) for more information.

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact Jen Forster – PR Manager, on 0117 9157 152/07967 334 152  or jen.forster@at-bristol.org.uk. You can also follow At-Bristol on Twitter (@AtBristol) or on Facebook (atbristolfans)

Notes to Editors:

1. Press Trips: If you are interested in writing a review of At-Bristol and require press tickets, please e-mail press@at-bristol.org.uk, providing media details and proposed dates of visit

2. At-Bristol is a leading science centre in the UK and a major player in the worldwide science centre movement with over 250,000 visitors a year, including over 60,000 school visits.

3. At-Bristol makes and develops new exhibitions for Science centres and schools worldwide to purchase and hire, and won the tender to design, develop and build the London2012-inspired touring exhibition, In the Zone, on behalf of the Wellcome Trust ahead of many major exhibit developers in the UK.

4. At-Bristol aims to be a world-class science centre that makes a distinctive, valued and recognised contribution to science learning and public engagement with science across Europe.

5. A registered charity, At-Bristol has hosted over four million visits since its opening in June 2000 and continually strives towards making science accessible to all.

6. At-Bristol receives no central government funding and support from visitors, members, corporate partners and donors means it can continue to make science relevant and fun for future generations.

7. At-Bristol has achieved a 21% reduction in energy over 3 years, which won us a West of England Carbon Challenge Carbon Champions award in 2011 and 2012, and we continue to work towards further goals across all areas of sustainability. At-Bristol is currently one of the most sustainable buildings in the country; we were awarded Silver in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards, a Gold Green Tourism Award, and were highly commended in the Visit England Awards for Excellence.