General & Site FAQ’s

  • Unfortunately not, food, drinks and rides can only be bought on site. Ice skating and the Ice bar both require a pre-booked ticket.

  • No! There is no admission fee, it is free to enter, you only have to pay for the attractions you choose.

  • We do not allow dogs onto the event site. Guidance dogs are permitted and we do have a water bowl available near Sur La Piste.

    Please note that Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland can be very busy and noisy so may not be a suitable environment for dogs.

  • Yes! Safety is our top priority and we want everyone to feel safe whilst at the event. Sometimes our security may carry out bag checks and there are restrictions on what items we allow on site. We do ask all of our visitors to remain vigilant and not to leave bags, or belongings unattended. 

    We do not allow the following items on the event site – 

    • Knives

    • Fireworks

    • Smoke Canisters

    • Air-Horns

    • Flares

    • Weapons

    • Dangerous or Hazardous Items

    • Lasers

    • Bottles/glass vessels/cans

    • Poles

    • Drones

    • Any article that may be used or perceived as a weapon that may compromise public safety

    • Open bottles of drink/liquid (Unopened bottles of water will be accepted)

  • A bit of rain won’t stop us! Cardiff Winter Wonderland is an outdoor event so please make sure you wrap up warm! There are covered areas and indoor seating areas and we welcome everyone to use these!

    In the event of extreme adverse weather (high winds etc) we may need to close the site at short notice – wherever possible we will advertise this on our social media channels but please be aware that when we close for safety reasons there may be limited notice.

    The main Ice Rink is covered as in previous years, but the Ice Walk is not under cover so please bring suitable outdoor clothing if you want to use the Ice Walk (we advise to bring some spare socks to change into once you have finished skating).

  • Yes first aid will be available throughout the event, please see a team member if you are in need of medical attention.

  • We operate a challenge 25 policy at the event so when purchasing alcohol if you look under 25 you will be asked for valid identification to confirm that you are aged 18 plus.

    Guests are not permitted to bring alcohol in from off site and any alcoholic drinks purchased on site must be consumed before leaving the event site.

  • We are pleased to provide a free ride for Personal Assistants of disabled people who are unable to enjoy the attraction without the assistance of an essential companion.

    Carers can receive 1 free ride when accompanying a fare paying customer who requires assistance. 


    To help us ensure that these are made available to those with genuine needs, please provide at the point of purchase your photographic ID along with ONE of the following forms of documentation:


    *DLA

    *Blue Badge

    *Hynt Card

  • Although we will always try to be as inclusive as possible, certain rides and attractions at the event are physically demanding and vigorous. Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland therefore reserves the right to refuse admission to any ride or attraction should we feel that there is an unacceptable risk to your safety, or the safety of others should they participate. Our ride operators and team members are always available to assist and advise in any way they can.

  • Yes, we prefer contactless.

  • Unfortunately, there is no parking at Cardiff Castle – General and accessible parking is available throughout all City Centre Car Parks. Further information on City Centre parking can be found here: https://www.visitcardiff.com/visitor-info/car-parks/

    Please be aware that city centre parking will be busy & may be impacted by other events activities taking place in the city.

  • Please see our opening times page for more information on opening/closing times.

  • We accept photographic university student ID card or an NUS card.

  • Yes there are toilets on City Hall Lawn and within the Castle. There is also a changing places toilet located at City Hall Lawn.

Ticketing FAQs

  • Tickets must be purchased via our online box. We recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment!

  • Yes, contactless payments are preferred for any on-site purchases.

  • We do not have an onsite box office, QR codes around the site will help you access the online box office to book your tickets.

  • Once a session is sold out, it has reached capacity. We don’t hold any tickets back but tickets may become available if they are returned. We don’t have a waiting list for sold out sessions, so we advise you to keep checking back on the booking website.

  • Group bookings can be made online using the online box office, for groups over 50 please contact our customer service team

  • Ice Rink tickets may be exchanged for a future date of equivalent value, up to 24 hours before the booked session is due to take place – this can be done by accessing your customer account. You can only exchange to sessions that have not sold out.

    Please be aware we reserve the right to charge a fee for ticket exchanges. We reserve the right to refuse any requests made to exchange a ticket less than 24 hours before the session is due to take place. Requests to exchange any tickets received within 24 hours of the booked session taking place will not receive a refund or credit for the order.

  • Yes – Student tickets can be purchased online. Please be aware student ticket holders will need to bring photographic student ID with them.

  • We accept photographic university student ID card or an NUS card

  • Yes, there are! We are proud to be putting on accessible only sessions on a weekly basis. Please check our website for details

  • Yes you can, by purchasing an accessible ticket you confirm that: You, or a member of your party is entitled to bring a carer/personal assistant with them

    Proof of requirement must be provided on the day of your skate and will be checked by a member of staff on site. Either of the following documentation will be accepted (Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Carers/Attendance Allowance, Letter from a medical professional, HYNT Card, Blue Badge).

Ice Rink FAQs

  • The Ice rink is located in Cardiff castle and can be entered via South Entrance on Duke Street Via. Or the North Entrance in Via Bute park along and North Road

  • We offer skates from Junior 8 to adult size 15. During busy sessions we may run out of certain skate sizes, we will always endeavour to provide a suitable alternative but please be aware skates are available on a first come first served basis.

    We also have dual blade bob skates available for skaters with shoes size junior 8 – junior 10 (we have a limited number available on a first come first served basis.)

  • Yes, you can. Skate bags can be stored in our cloak room free of charge

  • Yes – These can be stored in our cloakroom as long as they are collapsed.

  • For your safety we do not allow devices such as phones, cameras, tablets etc., on the ice. We do have a team of professional photographers on the ice who can take your photo and offer a range of prints once you have finished your skate. If you would like a photo on the ice please ask the ice photographers (they wear green coats).

  • To ensure your safety and the safety of other skaters we do not permit any bags onto the ice. You can leave your bag with a non-skater or we have a cloakroom available where items can be left (£2 per item) while you are skating. If you have an essential bag (medical equipment, medication etc) that must remain available please ask to speak to the Venue staff. Please do not leave bags / coats etc unattended in the skate house as they may be removed and or destroyed.

  • If you have lost an item at the while skating, please get in touch with our customer service team who can check to see if your item has been found.

  • Yes. Please note that electric wheelchair users may need to switch into manual mode. We also advise that wheelchair users are accompanied on the ice by a carer or personal assistant. If you have any questions during your visit to the ice please ask to speak to the venue manager.

  • We have small and large skate aids available. Small aids are for users under 1.2m tall and the larger aids are for those over 1.2m in height.

  • Children under 3 are not permitted on the ice. Children aged 3-17 must be accompanied on the ice at all times by a responsible adult (over 18)

  • We recommend a ratio of no more than 1:10 but please be aware that children cannot be left on their own in the skate house or on the ice.

  • Yes there are toilets on site within the Castle, they include an accessible toilet and baby change