The open-air ice rink at the Centre for Life in Newcastle has returned for the Christmas 2026 season, drawing skaters of all ages to Times Square over the weekend. The rink was officially welcomed back on Friday night by championship figure skater Callum Leach, and reopened to the public on Saturday.
Festive Opening by Callum Leach
Callum Leach, a former British National Championship Junior skater from Cullercoats, performed a festive routine to open the rink. He has toured with Disney on Ice since 2011 and has performed across Europe, America and Asia, becoming the first to skate on the Life rink this year.
Leach spoke about his connection to the venue, saying: "I have such lovely memories of coming into the city centre to skate at Life every Christmas when I was growing up. Stepping onto the ice still brings back that same feeling of excitement and Christmas magic I remember as a child."
Sessions and Special Events
The rink, made from real ice, is a fixture of the city's festive calendar and will remain open until January 3, welcoming skaters of all ages and abilities. Alongside regular sessions, the schedule includes themed evenings such as Skatin' to Nashville, ABBA, Olivia Dean and a pyjama skate.
Photographs taken at the rink on Saturday afternoon captured skaters enjoying the ice, including young visitors and the ever-popular penguin aids.
