Your guide to Fire & Ice fest

Rotorua will be getting its skates on when the new-look Harcourts Ice Rink opens to the public this Thursday. Photo/Stephen Parker

Slip into a pair of ice skates and get ready for a winter packed with fun activities.

This Thursday marks the start of Rotorua's The Hits Fire and Ice winter festival, which will feature dozens of family friendly activities in the next month.

The events include the Rotorua Daily Post Winter Feature Film screening of Disney's Frozen on July 4 and Blaze Night, a night of fireworks, fire performers and laser light shows on July 12.

Also making a comeback is the Harcourts Ice Rink at the Village Green, which will officially open to the public on Thursday. This year, company Paradice is running the rink and its co-owner Chris Blong said there were plenty of new features.

A colourful LED light will light up the ice with the image of a snowflake, and the ice rink will be mostly covered so people can skate no matter the weather, he said.

"We want it to be a good experience for everyone, people of all ages and all experience levels."

Mr Blong said for those new to skating, skate aids would be available for hire and Paradice staff would be able to help anyone having difficulty on their skates.

Ice skating was something everyone could enjoy and a perfect activity for families.

"Ice skating, it gives you this great feeling, a sort of freedom. There's nothing like it," he said. "Families will love it, it provides a great family bonding experience."

Mr Blong said work had already begun on setting up the ice rink, which involved spraying more than 12,000 litres of water on to plates laced with pipes filled with anti-freeze.

Each layer of water was sprayed every few hours until the ice was about 60mm thick.

The process took about 24 hours, he said.

The ice rink will host a variety of theme nights while open, including an ice fairies' weekend, for which children can come dressed as their favourite fairies.

Discounted rates for students will also be available on Tuesdays.

Events and Venues' major events co-ordinator Jason Cameron said the ice rink and the Fire and Ice festival was sure to keep locals entertained throughout the winter.

Fire and Ice Festival Timetable

Ignite Lantern Festival: June 1-July 26: Lantern-making workshops. Every Tuesday and Thursday, 4pm to 8pm. Every Sunday, 12pm to 4pm, at 1225 Tutanekai St. Free.
Rotorua Daily Post Winter Feature Film: July 4: A screening of Disney's Frozen. From 5pm to 8.30pm at the Village Green. Free.
Rotorua Polar Plunge: July 12: Jump into an ice-cold plunge pool for St Chad's Trust. From 12pm at the Village Green. $5 per plunge.
Rotorua Fire Walk: July 12: Walk over a bed of hot coals for Waiariki Women's Refuge. From 12pm at the Village Green. $5 per walk.
Blaze Night: July 12: Live fire performers, fireworks and laser lights. From 6pm to 9pm at the Village Green. Free.
Fire and Lights Ignite Lantern Parade: July 26: From 5pm to 8pm at the Village Green. Free.
Outdoor Ice Rink Timetable:
Hospice Breakfast: June 26: A barbecue breakfast at the Harcourts Outdoor Ice Rink. Gold coin entry with proceeds going to Rotorua Hospice. From 7am to 9am.
Opening Night Celebrations: June 26: Harcourts Outdoor Rink opening. From 7pm to 10pm.
Ice Fairies Weekend: June 28-29: Come dressed as your favourite fairytale character. From 10.30am to 1.30pm.
McDonald's Rotorua Student Skate Night: July 1 to July 22: $15 for students with ID. Every Tuesday from 6pm to 10pm.
Music Works Big Chill: July 2 to July 23: Local musicians perform at the Harcourts Outdoor Ice Rink. Every Wednesday from 7pm to 10pm.
Lava Bar DJ On Ice: June 27 to July 25. The Lava Bar's DJs will be delivering all the hits from 7pm to 9.30pm every Friday night at the Harcourts Outdoor Ice Rink.
4th of July Americana Party: July 4: Enjoy the 4th of July celebrations at the Harcourts Outdoor Ice Rink with an all-American theme. From noon to 7pm.
Snow Party: July 5 to July 11: From 10.30am to 1.30pm.
Ice Carnival Weekend: July 12 and July 13: Fun characters and ice games. From 10.30am to 1.30pm.
Ice Sports Carnival: July 19 and July 20: Figure skating, speed skating and ice hockey demonstrations. From 10.30am to 1.30pm.
Flava Foam Party: July 24: At the Harcourts Outdoor Ice Rink. From 7pm to 10pm.
Best of the Rink Finale Weekend: July 26 and July 27: Face painters, snow machine. From 10am to 5pm.