It may only be mid-November but you Scrooges are going to have to shut your eyes because my festive spirit is in full swing. In fact, it has been since August when I went to sample the Chaophraya Christmas menu I’m sorry to tell you. Pair that with the Titanic Hotel’s Fire & Ice Party and Kiosk’s brand new alpine lodge and I am positively tickled Santa Claus red.
I’m not alone in my plight to get the festive party started as soon as possible though because the Liverpool Pier Head Ice Festival launched once again last weekend and you better know I was there with jingle bells on. So here’s what to expect from the event which is here to stay until January 7th…
Ice, ice, baby!
We’re talking 200 hours of ice sculpting and 40,000 mugs worth of the stuff – and that’s just in the Ice Bar! Then there’s the popular ice skating rink (which is 25% bigger than last year apparently) and the infamous Ice Slide which now has an extra lane for whizzing down. The Ice Bar itself has adopted an Enchanted Forest theme for this year’s festivities so don your insulating, silver cape and walk through the Trees of Trust to The Huntman’s throne.
Don’t forget to claim your complimentary shot (complete with ice vessel) and get a selfie with Elsa on the way.
More festive food than you can shake a Bratwurst at
You know that meme of the girl that says she won’t go to the party unless there’s going to be food there? Well she’s my spirit animal. She knows what’s up. It’s a good job this year’s Ice Festival installment includes an expansion along the picturesque Pier Head to include a whole host of food and drink market stalls. I warmed my cockles with a spicy Bratwurst and some chocolate caramel churros but I have got my eyes firmly fixed on those bubble waffles next time I’m in the vicinity.
(Sorry… It’s pretty much impossible to take a picture of a hot dog without it looking like an unsolicited #dickpic)
Something for the thrill-seekers
A thrill-seeker I am not. I prefer to hibernate in the sanctuary of my sofa nest with a cup of hazard-free hot chocolate but if (unlike me) you’re an avid adrenaline junkie, you’re going to love the fairground rides. From contraptions that spin, shake and swing you into next Christmas, to bumper cars, hook-a-deer and the much-photographed ferris wheel, there’s plenty to get your blood pumping. Just not mine. No siree.
Something for the peace-keepers
Fellow worry warts, breathe a sigh of relief because the Apres Lounge is the perfect place for you to kick back with a festive tipple and watch the world go by. Complete with bar, snacks and squishy couches to cuddle up on, it’s a pretty cute place to shelter from chaos and regain some feeling in your frozen digits. It’s super roomy too which makes a refreshing change from huddling around a barrel-come-table, shielding your mulled wine from people elbowing their way to the bar.
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So for more info on ticket price or Liverpool Ice Festival opening times, shimmy on over to www.icefestivalliverpool.co.uk or give ’em a follow on Twitter or Instagram to stay in the loop. If you do find yourself chowing down on some churros or holding on to your hats on the Ice Jet ride, don’t forget to share your snaps with the hashtag #LiverpoolIceFestival!
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