Watch Live Carvings At The London Ice Sculpting Festival 2014

Ruth Hargreaves
By Ruth Hargreaves Last edited 123 months ago
Watch Live Carvings At The London Ice Sculpting Festival 2014

The London Ice Sculpting Festival 2013, by Nick Redman.

You may already be feeling the chill, but things are about to get a whole lot cooler in London as the fifth annual London Ice Sculpting Festival comes to Canary Wharf in January.

Over three days, 20 international ice sculptors will bring their picks, chisels and thermal leggings to the capital to compete in three separate competitions: the Single Block (10 Jan, 12-2.30pm), Freestyle (10 Jan, 4-8pm) and Big Block (11 Jan, 10am-7pm and continuing 12 Jan, 12-5pm) challenges. The Single and Big Block competitions are themed as River Life and Fabulous Fashion respectively, and sculptors must carve against the clock to be in with a chance of winning.

Visitors can watch the live sculpting taking place and although winners are decided by a panel of art experts, the public can vote for their favourite Big Block sculpture. Seeing as this challenge takes place over two of the days, we’re sure there are going to be some pretty spectacular creations. Although are we the only ones worrying about possible overnight sculpture sabotages?

As well as voting for your favourites, you can also give it a go yourself and create your own ice penguin or polar bear at one of the free, daily 20-minute masterclass sessions. Take a look at the individual times for each day and make sure you arrive early to sign yourself up — they’ll no doubt be extremely popular.

A Winter Food Market is also on hand each day to keep you well fed and warmed with coffee.

The London Ice Sculpting Festival takes place 10-12 January at Wood Wharf and Jubilee Place Shopping Malls, Canary Wharf, E14 5AX. Entry is free and visitors are welcome to stay for as long as they wish.

Last Updated 31 December 2013