How Pillingers Hire Helped Bring Winter Magic to Darling Harbour’s Ice Rink
There’s something truly enchanting about gliding across an ice skating rink beneath the stars, surrounded by the glow of twinkling lights and the buzz of a waterfront crowd. This winter, Darling Harbour has become the heart of the season’s festivities, hosting a spectacular open-air ice skating rink at Palm Grove — and Pillingers Hiring Services is proud to be the event hire partner that helped make it all happen.
From behind the scenes to centre stage, Pillingers supplied essential infrastructure to transform this popular city destination into a safe, functional, and magical winter playground.
Creating a Winter Escape in the Heart of the City
Constructing an ice rink in the middle of a bustling urban location like Darling Harbour isn’t simple — it requires careful planning, smart design, and the right equipment. That’s where Pillingers’ experience in festival and event hire comes into play.
The idea of ice skating in a location like Darling Harbour sounds a bit absurd. Still, we supplied key infrastructure that made this winter wonderland not only possible, but also beautiful, secure and ready for thousands of visitors each week. Making the absurd a reality has been our specialty for over 30 years now.
For Events Like this Pillingers Provides:
Lighting Rigs
As the sun sets, Palm Grove comes alive thanks to a custom lighting setup supplied and installed by Pillingers. Strategic lighting rigs provide ambient glow, ensure visibility across the rink and public spaces, and enhance the festive atmosphere. Whether it’s a family skating session or a night out with mates, good lighting makes every moment feel cinematic — and safe.
Marquees and Weather Protection
Winter in Sydney can bring unpredictable weather. Our commercial-grade marquees provide shelter for ticketing areas, skate hire booths, food vendors, and staff operations. Not only do they keep guests dry and comfortable, but they also contribute to the cohesive look and feel of the overall event space — clean, functional, and well-branded.
Crowd Control Fencing
Safety is always a top priority, especially at high-traffic public events. Pillingers supplied durable and secure crowd control barriers to create designated entry and exit points, queuing areas, and safe walking zones. These help maintain order during peak times, support event staff in guiding guests, and keep the experience enjoyable for all. For an event like ice skating, we recommend using the white picket fencing for crowd control, as it fits the look and feel of the family fun event.
More Than Just Hire – Trusted Partnership & Precision Delivery
With decades of experience supporting major city events — from Vivid Sydney to local council festivals — Pillingers brings more than just equipment. We bring expertise, logistics management, and peace of mind.
Our team worked closely with the Darling Harbour event organisers to understand the specific site needs, timeframes, and safety requirements for a project of this scale. With public access, transport routes, and daily foot traffic to consider, the setup had to be efficient, coordinated, and executed with minimal disruption. And that’s exactly what we delivered.
Supporting Family Fun, Nightlife & Holiday Magic
The Darling Harbour Ice Rink has quickly become a school holiday highlight and a go-to winter activity for Sydneysiders and tourists alike. With penguin skating aids for little ones, after-work skating sessions, and entertainment and treats on-site, this activation is drawing crowds of all ages.
Thanks to our infrastructure support — from fencing to lighting — visitors can enjoy the event comfortably and safely, while the organisers can focus on delivering a top-tier experience.
Planning a Public Event, Festival, or Seasonal Activation?
Whether you’re building a pop-up experience in the city or running a community winter festival, Pillingers Hiring Services has the expertise, equipment, and reliability to bring your vision to life.
We specialise in:
- Marquee hire
- Lighting and rigging
- Stage and sound equipment
- Crowd control solutions
- Event furniture and fit-outs
Look For These Items In Our Product Catalogue
Our flexible hire options and experienced team mean we can scale up or down to meet your needs — whether it’s a small-scale activation or a city-wide celebration.
📞 Want to chat about your next big idea?
Give us a call on 02 8783 0994 or visit the Contact Us Page to explore our full range of event hire solutions in Sydney and across NSW.
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Part Of Our Winter To Remeber Series:
Pillingers Hiring Services has been so happy to be a part of such a great winter of event and festivals in Sydney this year. Check out these other winter events taking place in Sydney now.
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