Winterlight is back with a new location

Get your skates on, tis the season for Parramatta Winterlight.

Scene from Parramatta Winterlight 2013 opening show

Get your skates on, tis the season for Parramatta Winterlight.

This year, Prince Alfred Park will be dressed up with lights and structures to resemble an alpine village to provide scenery for the giant, outdoor skating rink that is the focal point of the event.

“We have a bigger space and get a bigger ice rink,” a Parramatta Council spokeswoman said.

“It’s still in the heart of Parramatta and is better for kids in the park.”

There will be a life-size snow globe for a creative photo opportunity, and if that chills you down too much there is plenty of food stalls and even a bar serving mulled wine to warm you up again.

Parramatta Lord Mayor John Chedid said Parramatta’s Winterlight was one of the biggest events on Parramatta’s calendar, alongside the council’s New Year’s Eve and Australia Day ­celebrations.

‘’Parramatta Winterlight is back again this year at a new location at Prince Alfred Park, which means a bigger ice rink and the opportunity to explore a new location filled with magnificent lighting and ice skating shows and plenty of entertainment for the whole family,” Cr Chedid said.

‘’Families and skaters won’t be the only ones in a rush to get their skates on, with this year’s event also including an outdoor bar, for after work drinks.

‘’Parramatta Winterlight is another example of (the) council’s commitment to improving the use of its open spaces and will further ­enhance our growing reputation as one of Sydney’s leading event destinations.”

This year’s festival will open on June 26 with a special performance by 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics competitors Danielle O’Brien and Greg Merriman as well as 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics competitor Stephanie Zhang. 6.30pm at Prince Alfred Park

The ice rink will operate Sunday to Thursday 10am to 9pm and Friday to Saturday 10am to 10pm.