Before we look ahead to what’s coming, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible projects we had the pleasure of working on towards the end of 2024.
While our team worked on countless projects and installations, the two standout Christmas ice sculpture attractions of the season had to be The Magical Ice Kingdom, Bar Ice at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland and the Polar Ice Bar in Edinburgh.
The Magical Ice Kingdom at Winter Wonderland
For almost a decade, we’ve been invited to each year to transform Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland with its standout snow and ice sculpture attraction; the Magical Ice Kingdom.
For the first time, this year’s theme, ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’, was chosen by the public and what a fantastic result it was!
Over the course of eight months, with a team of 10 dedicated sculptors and a whopping 500 tonnes of ice and snow, our team designed and created an icy world based on Lewis Carroll’s classic tale.
Visitors entered through the grand Queen of Heart’s palace door, venturing into an icy world kept at a cool -10°C, featuring an incredible 200 ice and snow sculptures.
Each towering sculpture, some exceeding five metres high, depicted beloved characters including the Cheshire Cat, an enormous snow caterpillar, the mad hatter and Alice herself.
We were incredibly proud to once again partner with Winter Wonderland to create this awesome immersive experience that was enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors during the festive season.
Polar Ice Bar Edinburgh
Moving further north, we were also thrilled to be part of creating the Polar Ice Bar located on George Street in the Scottish capital.
A highlight of the city’s Christmas celebrations, the Hamilton team designed and built Edinburgh’s first ice bar, in association with Edinburgh’s Christmas sponsored by Ciroc Vodka.
One of our favourite parts of any job is working alongside clients to bring a theme or story to life, and this year we drew inspiration from a magical forest intertwined with gothic architecture to pay homage to Sir Walter Scott’s literacy legacy.
You might think it’s cold enough in Scotland during December, but with the ice bar at a constant -8°C, guests were thankful to be offered gloves and jackets to navigate the icy woodland environment.
Visitors were greeted by intricately carved ice creatures, from watchful owls and a wolf howling at a glowing moon to an ethereally illuminated bear on the prowl.
The venue also features a grand ice throne where you can take photos or sit and enjoy a Christmas cocktail served in pre-carved ice glasses; we were big fans of the Spiced Apple Martini!
The Polar Ice Bar quickly became a must-visit destination during the festive period, and we were proud to be a part of honouring Scotland’s history by offering a refreshing twist on traditional festive attractions.
Bar Ice at Winter Wonderland
As one of the most spectacular Christmas ice experiences of 2024, Bar Ice at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland was an unmissable sub-zero adventure, masterfully crafted by the team at Hamilton Ice Sculptors. This Alpine/Après-ski-inspired bar immerses visitors in a world of pure ice luxury, featuring over 50 tonnes of intricately sculpted ice that create an awe-inspiring frozen retreat.
From crystal-clear ice seating and bars to breathtaking frozen décor, every element of Bar Ice has been designed to transport guests straight to a winter wonderland. Whether you’re sipping an icy cocktail in a handcrafted glass or soaking in the cool atmosphere, this immersive experience, sponsored by Regatta, it was the perfect way to embrace the festive season in true Arctic style.
Looking ahead to the 2025 Festive Season…
Christmas 2024 may be over, but this year’s festive season is just around the corner in our world!
Soon, we’ll be back to the drawing board, and our team will be working alongside clients to plan more magical moments and icy wonders for the upcoming winter season.
Stay tuned to see what Christmas ice sculpture events 2025 has in store.
Check out past projects by Hamilton Ice Sculptors for various visitor attractions across the UK. It highlights immersive experiences with ice sculpture displays, including exhibitions, ice bars, and interactive opportunities like ice-carving workshops and photo opportunities.