Christmas Is Coming in Suffolk And Norfolk

20 November 2010, 10:21 | Updated: 20 November 2010, 10:57

As we get ready for Christmas there is going to be another festive centrepiece opening today.

The ice rink is opening in Ipswich. The rink itself is situated in the Portman Road car park, opposite the football club and a few minutes away from the town centre. Ipswich on Ice offers skating for all the family and also includes a real Bavarian Christmas food market.

The rink is 24 metres by 15 metres and all undercover.

John Bugg, the Director of Amazing Ice, told Heart that it's quite special, "It's actually the only portable rink in the UK that has its own ceiling, its own music system built in so we can change the mood. We can be completely family orientated or at the flick of a few switches we can turn it into a nightclub scene."

He also added that it's not just about the rink itself, but what the rink can do for the town, "The bottom line is - fetching more people into the town at this time of year. The people are out for an evening, they might think 'we're here now - we'll probably visit the retail park, or a shopping centre, go elsewhere and then come back.' You have to take on board the big picture."

The rink will be open daily from midday (10am during school holidays and weekends) with the last session finishing at 10pm. Tickets are £6 per person for 50 minutes on the ice and family tickets are available (£20 two adults and two children). Advance bookings are recommended as skating sessions around Christmas and New Year dates are expected to sell out fast.

Advance tickets are available at the Regent Theatre Box office on 01473 433100 or from www.ipswichregent.com

It comes as the traditional Victorian carousel has opened in Norwich outside the forum. Next to it is also a giant Christmas tree, which is one of the tallest in the UK.

Next month, there will also be a skating rink in Felixstowe. It opens at the Ocean Boulevard Amusements and refreshments kiosk between Sea Road and the promenade from Monday 20th December to Friday 24th December, closing at 4pm on Christmas Eve.

Discounted tickets are available from the Felixstowe Tourist Information Centre (TIC) either in advance or on the day. There will be a cost of £4 for adults and £2 for children under 16 and family tickets costing £10 for two adults and two children. Tickets bought at the rink will cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. Anyone under 12 will need to be accompanied by an adult.

For their centrepieces, both Bury St Edmunds and Great Yarmouth will be having special Christmas fayres.

The one in Bury St Edmunds runs from Friday 26th November - Sunday 28th November and goes all the way from Angel Hill up to the Arc. There is no ice rink this year but there will be an old fashioned carousel which opens of the 30th of November and costs £1.

The fayre in Great Yarmouth runs from Wednesday 1st December - Sunday 5th December.