While Southern California is known for its laid-back beaches and summer sun, it doesn’t mean the region can’t enjoy some time on the ice.
There are several ice skating rinks throughout Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire that welcome skaters of all ages and levels. Some will even offer free skating lessons for those looking to build confidence and technique. This season, some ice skating rinks will also feature themed nights with traditional Christmas movies playing during skating sessions, along with special holiday shows open to the public to spectate or perform.
Most facilities offer skate rentals and other essentials, but if it’s your first time, it doesn’t hurt to bring some warm layers, such as athletic pants, a jacket, gloves, and a small hand towel to dry your blades when needed. The schedules for each ice skating rink vary, with most offering public open sessions. If you’re more advanced on the ice, there are also a few locations that offer freestyle sessions where skaters and dancers can practice spins and other competitive techniques.
Be sure to visit each facility’s website for admission pricing and the most up-to-date schedule and hours. Here are 10 ice skating rinks to check out in Southern California.
Holiday Ice Rink in Downtown LA
The Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square is a winter-season treat for those who want to celebrate the holidays on ice. The 7,200-square-foot rink gives pros and beginners a chance to skate together in an outdoor setting. On Thursdays, DJs specialize in throwback hits and EDM, and on Sundays, skaters can enjoy classical music for a more elegant experience. Locker rental, skate helpers, gloves and socks are available for purchase and rent.
When: Noon- 10 p.m. daily. Nov. 20 through Jan. 11.
Where: 532 South Olive St., Los Angeles.
Information: holidayicerinkdowntownla.com.
Ice at Santa Monica
Ice at Santa Monica is back in its 17th year and changing up the programming a bit from years past. The ice rink is hosting theme nights sponsored by Disney+ and Hulu on select Tuesdays, with some nights featuring movies to lead the theme. Skate and movie nights will feature showings of “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie,” “Die Hard,” “Home Alone,” and “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Theme nights, without films playing, will encourage skaters to channel their inner “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” and “Gilmore Girls,” and to show their love for their favorite superheroes and sports teams. There will be music-themed nights for ’90s/’00s hits and one on Saturday, Dec. 13, to celebrate Taylor Swift’s birthday.
When: Noon-10 p.m. daily.
Where: Downtown Santa Monica, 1324 5th St., Santa Monica.
Information: iceatsantamonica.com.
Pasadena Ice Skating Center
The Pasadena Ice Skating Center offers daily public skating sessions, but tickets can only be purchased in person. The center requires in-person admission only and requires all skaters to follow the public session guidelines posted at the rink, with each session monitored by rink staff. Walkers are available free of charge on a first-come basis, but are only for beginner toddler skaters whose waist height is not more than 26” with skates on.
When: 1-3 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m., 1-5 p.m.; 8-10 p.m. Saturdays, and 2-4 p.m. Sundays.
Where: 300 E Green St., Pasadena.
Information: skatepasadena.com.
Winterfest OC
The OC Fair & Event Center is hosting Winter Fest in Costa Mesa, featuring ice skating among several winter wonderland activities. Visitors can enjoy an 8,000-square-foot real snow play area, a 150-foot ice tubing slide, a forest of lights, an interactive light show, live entertainment, carnival attractions, bounce houses, holiday-themed mini golf, train rides, and meet-and-greets with Santa Claus, Yowie the Yeti, Ice Princess, Jack Frost, Bear Snow, and Snow Flake.
When: 5-10 p.m. on select weekdays, 4-11 pm. Saturday and 4-10 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 28- Jan. 4.
Where: 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa.
Information: winterfestoc.com.
The Rinks Anaheim
The Rinks in Anaheim has been open for 30 years and offers public ice skating at several locations, including Lakewood, Yorba Linda, Corona, and more. Guests of all ages can skate at Anaheim Ice during its daily public ice skating sessions on both its NHL- and Olympic-sized surfaces. The Rinks have over 1,000 pairs of professionally maintained hockey and figure skates available for rent. It offers skate mates for new skaters or those who may need a little extra assistance on the rink. Freestyle sessions are open to singles, free skating, pairs skating, or dance only. All levels of skaters are invited to practice their double jumps and flying spins during freestyle sessions. The Rinks also offers skating lessons for all ages.
When: 6 a.m.-midnight daily.
Where: 300 W Lincoln Ave., Anaheim
Information: anaheimice.therinks.com.
Great Park Ice
This facility, under the same ownership as The Rinks in Anaheim, offers everything the Anaheim location does, including equipment rentals, skate mates, freestyle, and public sessions. What makes this ice skating facility a standout location is its restaurant and bar, which offers wines, flatbread pizzas, street tacos, loaded nachos, and other tasty, shareable entrees perfect for a night out.
When: 6 a.m.- 11 p.m. daily.
Where: 888 Ridge Valley, Irvine.
Information: greatparkice.com.
Aliso Viejo Ice Palace
Aliso Viejo Ice Palace features lively music to set the mood for both beginners and seasoned skaters. Public skating sessions are open to everyone, and on the first Saturday of every month, the ice palace offers a free skating trial class. There is also a new class in the programming of the new adult skills clinic on Saturdays, where skaters can work with instructors to improve their skills and socialize.
When: 2:15-4:45 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 2:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Wednesday; 2:15-3:30 p.m. Thursday; 7:30-9:30 p.m. Friday; 12:45-2:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Where: 9 Journey, Aliso Viejo.
Information: avicepalace.com.
Ice Realm- Westminster
Ice Realm Westminster reopened Nov. 5 after a year-long renovation that ushered in a new restaurant and lounge with a full menu of food and beverages, a fitness gym and pro shop for players and guests, upgraded facilities and ice systems for a better skating experience. On Saturdays, Ice Realm offers free hockey and learn-to-skate sessions, including programs in partnership with USA Hockey, which provides free gear to participants and figure skating instructors who help newcomers get started. Public skating sessions are held regularly, with an updated schedule posted each month on its website, which includes seasonal-themed nights such as Thanksgiving Skate and Ugly Sweater Night.
When: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
Where: 13071 Springdale St., Westminster.
Information: icerealmwestminster.com.
Icetown Riverside
Icetown Riverside offers free ice skating for first-time skaters ages 3-15 with registration on their website. For the December holidays, skaters of all levels are invited to register for an in-house competition to perform holiday-themed routines, which will be judged in categories such as “Best performance,” “Most Artistic,” “Most Creative,” and “Most Festive.” All skaters who participate will receive an award. Spectator admission is free. Couples in the competition are only required to pay one entry fee of $85. All competitors must register by Dec. 1.
When: 2-10 p.m. Tuesday, 2- 8 p.m. Wednesday, 2-10 p.m. Thursday, 2:45–4:45 p.m. and 7:45–9:45 p.m. Friday,1:45–3:45 p.m. and 7:45–9:45 Saturday, Sunday, 1-3 p.m.
Where: 10540 Magnolia Ave. A, Riverside.
Information: icetownriverside.com.
Center Ice Skating Arena
The Ontario Center Ice Arena features a single NHL-sized sheet of ice measuring 85 x 200 feet. It offers a variety of programs, including public skating, figure skating, and hockey teams and leagues. The Center Ice Arena is available to rent for both large and small private events, and the facility provides figure and hockey rental skates for the public, as well as a full-service pro shop for any equipment guests want to take home. A snack bar is also available for small bites.
When: Noon-5 p.m. Monday- Saturday.
Where: S Plum Ave., Ontario.
Information: ontariocenterice.com.