CHICAGO - It’s time to dust off those skates! With winter settling in, ice skating season in Chicago is back. Here are the public outdoor ice skating rinks worth checking out this winter.
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink is a popular destination. This article contains new, firsthand information uncovered by its reporter(s).
Millennium Park Ice Rink Details
The rink is open daily at Millennium Park, 1 N. Admission is free at the Millennium Park rink for those who bring their own skates. There will also be weekend sessions where people can learn to skate on the rink. People can reserve their spot for those sessions online.
People ice skate on the 109th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony during the 109th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Millennium Park on Nov. 18, 2022.
Ice Skating at Millennium Park / CHICAGO VLOG
Hours of Operation
Open seven days a week the hours of operation are:
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- 10 am - 10 pm Friday, Monday and Sunday
- 10 am - 8 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday
Admission
Admission is free.
Other Ice Skating Rinks in Chicago
Here are other options for ice skating in Chicago:
Maggie Daley Park Ice Ribbon
Kids skate on the Maggie Daley Park Ice Ribbon, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The ribbon - celebrating its 10th season - is open daily at 337 E. People must reserve tickets online in advance. Tickets are released on a rolling basis and are often in high demand. Skate rental prices vary, starting at $17 when reserved online. Outside of the holiday season dates of Dec. 13-Jan. People can also rent lockers, though space is limited.
Other Rinks
- Located at 6601 N. Sundays. People must reserve tickets online in advance. For those without skates, rentals cost $7.
- Located at 5625 S. Sundays. People must reserve tickets online in advance. Check out more information here.
McKinley Park’s skating rink is currently closed, while the Chicago Park District’s other rinks are open. Did we miss a rink in your neighborhood?
Those who register in advance can skate for however long they choose within the open skate time slot selected. People must reserve tickets online in advance. Tickets are released on a rolling basis. Skate rentals cost $7. Check out more information here.
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Chicago Park District Ice Skating Programs
The following programs are offered at most rinks except for Maggie Daley.
- Open Skate: Open to all ages. Pre-registration is required.
- Drop-In Learn to Skate Lessons: This drop-in session provides instruction on the basics of balance, forward stride, starting, and stopping.
- Senior Skate: Open skate for ages 50+. Pre-registration is required.
Open Skate schedules and blocks are subject to change.
Stick & Puck and Pond Hockey
This combined program offers 45-minutes of Stick & Puck followed by 45-minutes of Pond Hockey for one price. All players will be required to wear a helmet (those under 18-years of age must wear a HECC approved helmet with a full-face mask), shin pads, cup and hockey gloves. Skaters must bring their own equipment, including hockey stick.
- Stick & Puck: Offers open access to the ice specifically for practicing stickhandling, skating and shooting skills.
- Pond Hockey Practice: Practice non-contact battling up to 5-on-5 skaters. No slap shots or body checking allowed and hockey helmets are required.
Rat Hockey
Rat hockey is a pick-up game available for players 18-years-old and older. All players will be required to wear a helmet, shin pads, cup and hockey gloves. Equipment is not provided. Slap shots are allowed. Body checking is not allowed. A minimum of eight participants are required for rat hockey play.
Important Information
Be sure you have selected the correct date, session time and type of reservation (with skate rental or with own skates). No refunds are given.
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Session cancellations
If the session reserved has been canceled by management (due to weather, emergency, safety issues, etc.), refunds will be processed. All refunds may take up to five business days to process. Session cancellations are typically made the day of a scheduled session. Cancellations may include the entire day or specific sessions.
A select number of reservation types is available. If your reservation type is unavailable, please check back to see if spots open.
History
“Today we proudly unveil the first piece of what will become one of the finest recreational and cultural spaces of any city in the world-Chicago¿s Millennium Park.” - Mayor Richard M.
The outdoor ice rink is the first of many major attractions planned for the 24.6-acre park. Mayor Richard M. Daley was joined in the celebration by John W.
The ice rink, 200 feet long and 80 feet wide, totals 15,910 square-feet of skating surface.