Ice World New Zealand has almost finished setting up the ice rink in The Square, for another winter.

Just when you thought the late summer was getting started, it's time to put on the ice skates.

Winter has made an emphatic entrance in Palmerston North, with the introduction of an ice rink putting a freeze on The Square.

The rink, returning for a fourth cold spell in Manawatu, was being erected on Tuesday.

DAVID UNWIN/FAIRFAX NZ Ice World staff get to work installing the ice rink.

This year the rink will be joined by a giant snow globe full of artificial snow, Ice World managing director Wayne Lawrence said.

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​"It is exactly like the snow globes you shake except you can go inside. The snow swirls around. We think the kids will really love it."

DAVID UNWIN/FAIRFAX NZ The ice rink will be joined by a giant snow globe for the first time later in the month.

The globe can fit 10-12 people inside and will be up for the last two weeks of April.

Lawrence said the feature would have an Easter theme and was the first time it had been set up in New Zealand.

The rink will be open to the public from Saturday and be open for the entire month, timed for the school holidays. A VIP opening night will be held on Friday.

Supplied The outdoor ice-rink is a popular winter attraction in Palmerston North's Square.

When the rink last visited in 2015, it attracted 18,000 people.

"We are really hoping for similar or more," Lawrence said.

The rink comes from the Netherlands, while the chilling equipment comes from Wellington and Auckland.

Two ice technicians have been flown over from Melbourne.

"It is quite a big thing to bring and set up," he said.

The water freezes due to a grid of pipes on the rink, which have antifreeze running through them at -12 degrees celsius.

Lawrence said the rink should appeal to families.

"It is about being in a nice surrounding and there is something unique about having an ice rink outside."

Once the rink was assembled it was just a matter of waiting for the water to freeze.

Lawrence said the ice did get slightly affected by rain, but they would be able to keep it replenished and smooth.

The rink moves on to Christchurch in June.