Nothing else underscores the magic of Christmas quite like ice-skating.

Except, this is June - and it’s not Christmas.

Brisbane skate festival organisers Ryan Radford (left) and Jade Cooper. Credit:Staff reporter

Yet here I am in the heart of Brisbane CBD on a wintry afternoon, for a 45-minute glide around on King George Square’s temporary pop-up ice rink for the start of this year’s skating festival; feeling like an ice princess.

The coolant that keeps the ice from turning to slush runs 24 hours a day to ensure a smooth skating experience.