It’s that time of year again when many of us start thinking about fun festive activities in the lead-up to Christmas, and there’s an incredible ice skating rink in an airport just a short flight from the UK.
Welcoming back its magical winter wonderland for the 25th time this year, complete with a 600 square meter ice rink and Christmas market, is Munich Airport. The unsuspecting location will be transformed into its longstanding tradition for the German city, which is notoriously renowned for its Christmas markets.
Around 40 market stalls, decorated in shimmering lights and wreaths, will be in the airport, filled with handmade gift ideas, “culinary specialities” and festive treats. Visitors can stroll around a festive pine forest and cosy up in the charming huts with a warming mulled wine to fully experience the wonder.
But that’s if you can tear yourself away from the activities on offer, including the huge ice skating rink open daily from 11am to 9pm. Visitors can skate and glide across the ice rink all day for just £4.40 (€5) – a fraction of the price for the activity compared to UK locations, which often only allow an hour at a time.
Renting the skates costs an additional £4.40 (€5), but for an unlimited time on the ice, it’s definitely worth it. In addition to ice skating, visitors can try their hand at curling on their rink for around £22 (€25) per hour.
There’s enough to keep the whole family entertained with ice discos on Wednesdays from 6pm, and a huge range of Christmas crafts on offer, from wreath making, designing ornaments and baubles to ceramic painting. Children can also enjoy face painting, magic shows, soap bubble acts and a special visit from Santa Claus on 27 November, 6 December and 19 December.
And that’s not all.
In the evenings, there will be live performances from regional artists and bands offering a huge range of music genres from pop, rock, funk, swing, Latin, gospel, to modern folk. Visitors can also book a magical 50-minute Christmas light tour around the airport after dark.
This year, the winter wonderland has also introduced its “Wish Tree” initiative, where visitors can take a note from the festive tree, which contains a wish from a child, and purchase a gift for them. The gift can then be dropped off at the “Elk Hut” by 18 December to help share some festive magic with children in need.
The winter wonderland at the Munich Airport Center (MAC) will open on Friday, 14 November, with everyone invited to enjoy the festive magic until Sunday, 28 December. The Christmas market is free and will be open daily from 11am until 9pm, aside from Christmas Eve, when it closes at 4pm.
Flights from London Gatwick to Munich are less than two hours, and fares start from as low as £14.49 with easyJet. What’s more, once you’ve landed, you really don’t have to go far to experience the delights of the winter wonderland at Munich Airport!
For more information visit: www.munich-airport.com/christmasmarket