The nearest Christmas ice rink to Stroud is Gloucester Quays, 20 November to 3 January, adults £15, children £12. Cheltenham's rink is not back this year.
No Christmas ice rink has been announced in Stroud this winter, and Cheltenham’s rink is not coming back. The nearest rink is the outdoor one at Gloucester Quays, open from Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with tickets on sale now.
The quick answer
- Where: Gloucester Quays, Gloucester, GL1 5SF, off junction 12 of the M5.
- When: Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
- Prices: adult £15, junior (11 to 16) £13, child (3 to 10) £12, family £49.
- Cheaper early: 15% off sessions from 19 November to 4 December with the code EARLYBIRD15, booked by 31 October.
- Cheltenham: the council says its ice rink “will not return” this Christmas.
Prices and rules are from the rink’s own booking site and Gloucester Quays’ event page, read on 7 October 2026.
Gloucester Quays Outdoor Ice Rink, 20 November to 3 January
Gloucester Quays, the outlet shopping centre by the historic docks, puts up an open-air rink every Christmas. Its event page gives the 2026 run as Friday 20 November to Sunday 3 January and says tickets are on sale now. The sat nav postcode is GL1 5SF, and it is signposted from junction 12 of the M5. (Gloucester Quays, Outdoor Ice Rink)
One small inconsistency on that page: the early-bird offer covers sessions “between 19th Nov and 4th Dec”, a day before the stated opening date. Go by the booking calendar for the first session.
Prices, as listed on the rink’s ticketing site for open skating sessions:
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £15 |
| Student | £13 |
| Junior, 11 to 16 | £13 |
| Child, 3 to 10 | £12 |
| Family, 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children | £49 |
| Extra child or junior on a family ticket | £12 |
| Wheelchair user, including a carer space | £12 |
Skate aids for 3 to 10 year olds, the rink’s Beluga Whale sliders, are extra from £5 and are limited, so book one with your tickets. The cloakroom is £2 for up to two items. (Christmas Ice Rinks, Open air Ice Skating tickets)
The early-bird deal: 15% off tickets for sessions between 19 November and 4 December with the code EARLYBIRD15, which works until 31 October.
Sessions for different skaters
The ticketing site lists four kinds of session:
- Open sessions for everyone aged three and over.
- Disco sessions on Thursday and Friday evenings.
- Student discount on Wednesday evenings.
- Sensory friendly sessions on Sunday mornings.
There are also toddler skate sessions: one ticket covers one adult and one child aged three to five, with a calmer, quieter rink, ice grips for the adult and a skate aid for each child. Session times are on the rink’s booking calendar. (Christmas Ice Rinks, FAQs)
Rules for children
The rink’s own rules, from its ticketing page:
- Under-threes are not allowed on the ice.
- Children aged three to six must skate with a paying adult, and the rink recommends no more than two children per adult.
- Seven to nine year olds may skate alone but must be watched from the rinkside.
- Ten to thirteen year olds need an adult somewhere on site; from fourteen, no adult is needed.
- An adult going on the ice to help can wear studded overshoes instead of skates, but pays the normal price.
Booking and arriving
You can buy tickets on arrival, but the rink says sessions often sell out at weekends and over the Christmas holidays, so book online. Arrive at least 20 minutes before your session, or 30 at peak times, to collect skates. There are no refunds. If you book with an account you can move your session yourself up to 24 hours before; guest bookings can only be changed within two hours of buying, and a later change costs a 50% admin fee.
Why there is no Cheltenham rink this year
Cheltenham Borough Council has ended its ice rink. This year, it says, “the ice rink will not return to Cheltenham”: the council “has reached the end of a successful 3-year contract” and is trying other events instead, including a festive film projection and markets. (Cheltenham Borough Council)
No Christmas ice rink has been announced in Stroud itself. If one is, we will add it here.
More Christmas days out near Stroud
- The Christmas light trails at Westonbirt and Sudeley
- Father Christmas at Slimbridge and Cattle Country, on our Santa’s grotto page
- The Christmas markets and the lights switch-on in town
Before you drive to Gloucester, check our roadworks and travel page for M5 and A419 closures. For an evening in Stroud instead, our page on parking in Stroud has the car park tariffs.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an ice rink in Stroud?
No Christmas ice rink has been announced in Stroud for 2026. The nearest is the outdoor rink at Gloucester Quays.
When does the Gloucester Quays ice rink open in 2026?
Friday 20 November 2026, and it runs to Sunday 3 January 2027.
How much is the Gloucester Quays ice rink?
Adults £15, juniors aged 11 to 16 £13, children aged 3 to 10 £12, and a family ticket £49. Book sessions between 19 November and 4 December by 31 October with the code EARLYBIRD15 for 15% off.
Is the Cheltenham ice rink on this year?
No. Cheltenham Borough Council says the rink will not return this Christmas after its three-year contract ended.
Can toddlers skate at Gloucester Quays?
Children must be at least three. There are dedicated toddler sessions for children aged three to five with one adult.
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