Creating Magical Winter Events: Ice Rinks, Markets & More

At GL events UK, we take pride in supplying high-quality temporary structures and marquees to help our customers deliver magical experiences. This winter, we had the privilege of supporting several major events up and down the country.  

From ice rinks to pantos and Christmas markets, we were delighted to play a key role in supplying structures for some of the most enchanting winter events.  Here are a few of the most memorable winter attractions our team worked on. 

A hallmark of the festive season, ice rinks create a winter wonderland for visitors. As an Irish based company, Blue Martini were looking to develop their existing sites in the UK so turned to the GL events UK team for support with structures due to our expertise in the UK events market. We provided durable, weather-resistant structures to house Blue Martini’s ice rinks, meaning skaters could enjoy a fantastic experience, no matter what the winter weather was like outside.  Our team worked on several sites for Blue Martini across the UK installing structures at West Quay, Meadowhall, Manchester and Brent Cross.

In addition to the structures delivered for Blue Martini, the team delivered three exciting ice rink projects in Cheltenham, Portsmouth and Derby, each with unique challenges and impressive results. 

In Portsmouth, we installed a 24m x 45m Premier structure in the heart of the city’s main marketplace. This included electric entrance doors, a clear roof, and internal gable that separated the rink from the skate exchange. Working in a busy city centre with high foot traffic required careful coordination with client contractors to manage build sequencing, chiller drop off, and technical production. 

Meanwhile, in Cheltenham, we installed a 24m x 35m Premier structure with a clear roof in the town centre park. In addition, we provided a small crew welfare structure with room to house a Zamboni (a machine used to resurface the ice between skating sessions). Despite the site's limited access, we worked closely with the client to plan the build sequence and agree on suitable access points, ensuring a smooth and efficient installation. 

We’ve worked with Derby City Council for four years, providing seasonal structures. For the last two years we’ve brought winter cheer to the city centre by supplying essential event structures to support the city’s much-loved ice rink, offering a welcoming space for families and friends to gather and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.

A centrepiece of Yorkshire’s festive celebrations, the Christmas market at The Piece Hall was made even more inviting with our expertly designed marquees. The team supplied a range of marquees to act as stalls at the event, filling the courtyard with our Piazza pagodas so visitors could browse from stall to stall enjoying everything the market had to offer. What’s more, the structures are designed to withstand high wind speeds, so the market was able to remain open throughout stormy weather. 

The structures created a warm, festive environment for vendors and visitors to enjoy seasonal shopping, entertainment, and delicious winter treats. 

We were also delighted to contribute to the festive charm of Burghley Christmas Fair by providing a 750 sqm main marquee structure, offering ample space for vendors to showcase their seasonal products. In addition, we installed eight pagodas outside to create 25sqm of retail space, which were then beautifully connected with festoon lighting to create a warm and inviting festive atmosphere. Our structures not only provided shelter for exhibitors and visitors but also enhanced the traditional Christmas market feel, making it a truly magical experience for all who attended.

We provide structures that serve as Christmas party venues for two of the UK’s largest party organisers. These spectacular venues were set up in London, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Billericay, Windsor, and Nottingham, each spanning between 2,000 and 2,500 sqm to accommodate up to 1,000 party guests per night. Our structures housed key areas such as dining halls, dance floors, casino spaces, reception areas, cloakrooms, and fully equipped kitchens, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience for guests. With elegant, well-designed temporary venues, we helped create the perfect festive atmosphere for thousands of partygoers throughout the season.

Panto is an essential part of the festive season! GL events UK provided a versatile structure for Knowsley Safari Park that transformed into a festive theatre for their Santa Panto. This temporary venue allowed families to enjoy an exciting and unique holiday performance, combining the magic of a traditional pantomime with the festive atmosphere of the safari park. Our structure ensured a comfortable, warm space for visitors, with room for seating and easy access, making it the perfect setting for the Christmas show.

Christmas markets and ice rinks require reliable, aesthetically pleasing structures to enhance the festive atmosphere while ensuring functionality and safety. Our marquees and temporary structures are designed to withstand winter conditions, providing shelter, ambiance, and a seamless experience for guests.

With extensive experience in delivering event solutions tailored to the winter events season, we offer: 

• Bespoke Structures – Designed to fit the unique needs of each event. 
• Weather-Resistant Solutions – Ensuring comfort and safety despite winter conditions. 
• Expert Installation – A professional team handling efficient setup and takedown. 
• Proven Success – Supporting some of the UK’s most popular winter events. 

GL events UK remains dedicated to supplying top-tier event structures that enhance the magic of winter. Whether it’s a Christmas market, a seasonal ice rink, or a special holiday event, we provide the perfect solutions to bring your winter event to life. 

For more information on our services, contact GL events UK today and let us help create a truly unforgettable festive experience.