With the season’s first snowflakes potentially falling on Friday, it’s a sign that now is the time to hit the rink.
Whether you have your sights set on Olympic glory or don’t know a snowplow from a salchow, one of these 14 Chicago-area venues, from great date night spots to large, regulation-sized rinks, offer something for skaters of all levels. At Skatium Ice Arena in Skokie, you’ll even find classic rink fare like burgers and nachos with Jamaican flair.
Several rinks in our list offer free admission if you bring your own skates; all of them rent skates for kids through adults. Hours of operation vary widely, and reservations are required by a few rinks. Classes for figure skating and hockey are on tap at many.
Here’s where to lace up your skates in the Chicago area this season.
1801 W. Jackson Blvd.; 312-455-7600
$12 admission; $6 skate rental
Year-round
You don’t need to be an avid Blackhawks fan to enjoy the year-round facility where the team practices. Located on the Near West Side, the Blackhawks Community Ice Rink offers regular public skates, freestyle skating drop-ins for the more advanced (you might even spot figure skater Jason Brown practicing his routines as the Olympian has recently relocated back to Chicago after training in Toronto for several years) and hockey programs for kids and adults. If you are a Blackhawks fan, practices are also open to the public; check the schedule to line up your viewing in the same excursion. Reservations or presale tickets for public skate sessions are not required but all admissions will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
5501 Park Place, Rosemont; 847-349-5009
Admission free; $8 skate rental
Nov. 29-Jan. 31, 2027
The Chicago Wolves Ice Rink returns to the 200,000-square-foot Parkway Bank Park entertainment complex, giving shoppers and skaters the chance to cross off both pursuits in one trip. Once you’ve finished showing off your layback spin and Axel jump (or just safely made your way around once or twice the rink without faceplanting), transition to dinner or catch a new release at the AMC Rosemont 12. The rink’s season kicks off on Nov. 21, when Rosemont’s mayor flips the switch on 80,000 holiday lights during the family-friendly event. Also part of the festivities are visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn sleigh rides and carolers. Parkway Bank Park is accessible via the Blue Line; parking is free with validation.
3635 N. Clark St.; 773-388-8260
Admission $8, skate rental $16
Nov. 20-Dec. 31
The Gallagher Ice Rink returns this season when Wrigleyville turns into Winterland. Before or after you take to the ice, shop for gifts at Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville, visit Santa’s Workshop and make your own wreath. Celebrate the holiday season during the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 4, featuring performances from a local choir and other entertainers. Residents who live in ZIP codes 60613, 60614, 60640 and 60657 can pay reduced admission ($4 and $8 for skate rental) on Neighbor Discount Nights Mondays and Tuesdays.
337 E. Randolph St.; 312-552-3000
$5 admission with own skates; $17 weekday skate rentals, $19 walk-in (Friday-Sunday and holiday rates are $21 skate rentals online, $23 walk-in)
Nov. 13-March 7, 2027
Surrounded by pine trees with views of the city’s skyscrapers, the quarter-mile, curved Ribbon forms a long trail with gentle inclines and dips. With a capacity for more than 700 skaters, the Ribbon seems to be the spot for couples so brace yourself for hand-holding pairs who must be navigated around. The site offers skate rentals, storage lockers and skate aids for children. Warm up with coffee, hot cocoa and tea from the Rink Cafe or satisfy your hunger with hot dogs, soups and burgers from Downtown Deli. The deli also sells S’mores kits, which you can roast at a nearby fire pit. Reservations for public skating at the Ribbon are highly recommended, and walk-up tickets aren’t guaranteed if a session is full.
1 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-285-2361
Admission is free; $18 skate rentals Monday through Thursday and $22 Friday through Sunday and holidays (visitors bringing their own skates can skate free Monday through Thursday)
Nov. 20-Jan. 31, 2027; subject to weather
If you’re looking for a rink with a holiday rom-com vibe, look no further than the 16,000-square-foot oval at Millennium Park with its Christmas tree and views of the Bean. Don’t worry if you can’t skate like Olympic champ Alysa Liu; free ice-skating lessons are available for skaters of any age at three levels, including beginners. Lessons take place from 9-10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays (weather permitting). Bonus: Skates are free for the lessons. Registrations are limited to 20 participants per class level. Preregistration online for public skates is strongly encouraged; sign-ups will open the Monday prior to each weekend. Walk-ups will be accepted if there are no-shows. If you’ve worked up an appetite gliding around the rink, grab coffee, sandwiches and pastries at Momentum Coffee or make it date night with dinner and cocktails at Millennium Hall.
If you go on opening day, stay for the city's tree lighting ceremony and fireworks display as the tree is illuminated. That weekend, the Millennium Park Holiday Market returns with more than 40 vendors offering Chicago-inspired gifts, artwork, vintage finds and holiday merchandise.
3843 N. California Ave.; 773-478-2609
$6 admission for skaters 13 and up, $5 for skaters 12 and under; $4 skate rentals
Year-round
With a regulation-size NHL surface and a half-sheet studio rink, McFetridge Sports Center is one of only two indoor skating facilities owned by the Chicago Park District (the district is operating eight skating locations this season). The draw at this Irving Park rink is affordable prices, adult-only skating from noon to 1:30 p.m. on weekdays and ample free parking in the adjacent lot. The popular all-ages public skate — from 3:30-5 p.m. Saturdays and from 4:30-6 p.m. Sundays — is first come, first served so get there early to avoid being at the end of a long line; onlinereservations through the Chicago Park District activities portal are required for adult-only skating. Snack options are scant on site, so plan accordingly.
1130 Midway Plaisance; 312-745-2470
Free admission; $7 skate rental
Nov. 27-Feb. 15, 2027; subject to weather
Run by the park district, the Midway Plaisance Ice Rink sits amid the dramatic Gothic architecture of the University of Chicago in Hyde Park and on the former grounds of Chicago’s 1893 World Fair. Online registration is required for all sessions. Offerings include dedicated hockey time; for example, Stick & Puck ($8 for adults, $10 for adult and child), which lets players practice stick handling and shooting, and Pond Hockey ($8 for adults, $10 for adult and child), five-on-five no-contact games. There are also senior skate hours at all five outdoor park district rinks this year for those 50 and older who prefer their own company. For those who need a refresher or are skating newbies, the drop-in Learn to Skate lessons offer instruction on the basics, including balance, forward stride and starting and stopping.
415 Lake St., Oak Park; 708-725-2000
$15 admission, skate rental included
Year-round
This rink, named after a beloved local longtime hockey coach, hosts themed nights that make it a destination for skaters of all levels. Special events like Teen Nights and Cosmic Nights are offered on a monthly basis, featuring free skating, themed music and off-ice activities. During the holidays, the rink hosts additional themed events, including the Nov. 25 Give Back Glide; bring a nonperishable food item and get $2 off admission. Skate with Santa on Dec. 18 offers the chance to get on the rink with St. Nick, and for those looking to get their New Year’s festivities started early, there’s the Noon Year’s Eve Skate on Dec. 31. For public skating, preregistration or walk-ins are accepted. Registrations can be made up to 14 days in advance and will close one hour prior to the session.
108 E. Superior St.; 312-337-2888
$20 admission for adults including skates; $10 for kids 12 and under
Nov. 20-Feb. 15, 2027; weather dependent
Returning for its 14th year, The Peninsula Sky Rink is different from other rinks with its synthetic surface. “The surface is a synthetic plastic made primarily from polyethylene, which is designed to create a more ice-like glide,” said Susan Ellefson, director of brand marketing and communications at The Peninsula Chicago. She noted that visitors should use the Sky Rink’s skates because the synthetic surface can dull figure skates. Perched above Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, the 2,100-square-foot rink is a popular place for marriage proposals. “The setting is a winter wonderland with pine trees and twinkling lights and snowflake lighting,” Ellefson said. Warm up with hot beverages and snacks at the Chalet before or after, or check out the posh hotel’s other dining options such as the rooftop Z Bar, the European cafe Pierrot Gourmet or Italian restaurant Communitá. Reservations aren’t required but call ahead to confirm the rink is open.
1801 Main St., Evanston; 847-448-8258
$10 admission for 18 and over, $6 admission for under 17 and younger; $4 skate rental
Year-round
Run by the City of Evanston, the Robert Crown Community Center is a favorite gathering spot for locals who frequent the rinks to learn how to skate or hang out with friends at DJ Skate Nights. Robert Crown is also beloved for its other amenities, such as the public library where people can study quietly or curl up with a book. For an idyllic outdoor skating experience, the city also runs Arrington Lagoon Outdoor Ice Rink at Dawes Park (1700 Sheridan Rd.) during the winter. The season is estimated to kick off in mid-December and run through mid-February. The rink is at the mercy of weather. “It takes several days and nights of applying water during cold temperatures to have ice thick enough to skate upon,” the city states on its website. There’s also the seasonal Café au Lake and a warming room for when you need to take a break with a hot drink or snack. Check rink and concession status using the Statusfy mobile app — search for “Evanston Parks and Recreation” or call 847-448-0034 for a status update on the rink.
9340 Weber Park Place, Skokie; 847-929-7900
$7 admission; $4 skate rental
Year-round
Skatium is a family tradition for many families in the Skokie area, a quality that makes it so popular, says Brandi Luecke, Skatium Ice Arena manager. “What truly sets us apart from other area rinks is the family tradition woven into the fabric of the Skatium. Many of our participants have been skating here for generations, creating a sense of connection and belonging that makes the rink so special,” Luecke said. The rink’s cafe proprietor is Trenchtown Jerk, which offers classic rink favorites like burgers and nachos alongside the vendor’s signature jerk chicken. Luecke recommends the loaded fries topped with the jerk chicken. Public skating hours are offered Tuesday-Sunday; no reservations required. This holiday season, Skatium will offer additional public skating sessions and themed events like Grinch Skate (Dec. 6), Skate with Santa (Dec. 12), Ugly Sweater Skate (Dec. 18) and Noon Year's Eve Skate and Balloon Drop (Dec. 31).
6601 N. Western Ave.; 773-761-8663
Free admission; $7 skate rental
Nov. 27-Feb. 15; subject to weather
Among the park district outdoor venues, Warren Park Ice Rink is arguably the most popular. Located in the West Ridge neighborhood, this Olympic-sized rink offers programs similar to others in the park system, including amateur hockey games called Rat Hockey (with a $10 fee). Preregistration is required for all programs, including open skate sessions. Reservations are released on a rolling basis at noon on Mondays for the sessions that run two weeks later. On Jan. 10, the Winter Wonder Fest will offer free skating from 3:30-6 p.m., festive characters and games of ice bocce, which is like bowling on ice.
305 Randolph St., Glencoe; 847-835-4440
$12 daily admission for Glencoe residents, $24 for nonresidents; $5 + tax skate rentals; weekends require a season pass or 10-visit punch pass
Nov. 27-Feb. 28, 2027
The ice rink at Weinberg Family Recreation Center is a part of many local families’ holiday traditions, especially opening weekend over Thanksgiving, says Erin Classen, superintendent of marketing and communications. If you want to check out the rink before committing to a season pass, which is required to skate on the weekends, opening day on Nov. 27 is your chance to try it for free. New this year is the 10-Visit Punch Pass, which costs $100 for residents ($200 for nonresidents and covers any combination of people and visits, up to 10 in total. The outdoor refrigerated rink means “the ice stays reliable even when the weather isn’t cold enough for a natural rink,” Classen said. In addition to opening day, the rink hosts a few themed skates this season, including Holiday Skate (Dec. 19) and Community Skate (Jan. 18).
Contributing: Phyllis Cha
