While the Midwest’s inhospitable winter wears us down, when the cold begins to bed in, holiday traditions and exciting events emerge, providing us with shining lights in times of darkness. One of these essential winter activities that combat the doom and gloom of winter with festive cheer is ice skating in Chicago.
Every year in November, ice rinks open around Chicago, offering the chance to glide into winter with “alpine in the city” experiences beneath Christmas nights and starry skies. Once all the Christmas cheer has subsided many of the ice rinks carry on through to spring offering magical moments beneath the snow and stars.
We’ve gathered all the information you need to know about the best ice skating rinks in Chicago so you can know which are still open.
Ice rinks that still open in Chicago
Maggie Daley Park’s Ice Rink
Maggie Daley Park’s quarter-mile skating ribbon is one of the City of Chicago’s most famous ice rinks, offering the chance to glide and glimmer a 40-foot climbing wall in the heart of Chicago.
The rink curves up and down around pine trees, with the city’s stunning skyline providing a stunning backdrop.
Skates can be rented throughout the week, and the rink often announces free sessions, which usually take place on Mondays.
📲 Reservation: Reservations and more information can be found at maggiedalypark.com.
📍Address: 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago
🗓️ Dates: Open through Sunday, March 10, 2024.
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink is another of Chicago’s most beloved ice rinks. Also located in Millennium Park, the rink sits just below the Bean, meaning you can enjoy incredible views of Chicago’s most famous landmark and the surrounding area while gliding around the rink at any time.
There is also plenty of space for friends and family to look over the ice rink if they’re not keen on participating.
Admission is free, but a reservation is required beforehand.
📲 Reservation: Reservations and more information can be found at millenniumparkfoundation.org.
📍Address: 1 N Michigan Ave, Chicago
🗓️ Dates: Open through Sunday, March 3, 2024.
Peninsula Chicago Hotel’s “Sky Rink”
Located on the 4th floor of what was recently named one of the best hotels on the planet, Peninsula’s 2,100 sq ft hybrid rink is the only hotel skating rink in Chicago.
Sitting high above Chicago’s bustling Michigan Avenue on The Terrace, the Peninsula Chicago Sky Rink offers a swanky skating experience surrounded by Chicago’s skyscrapers and twinkling lights.
The rink has a menu featuring a selection of hot beverages like hot chocolate to keep you warm and snacks to keep you fueled. It is also available for groups to rent or for private events.
You’ll need to pay to rent skates, which are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under, but all money collected is donated to two Chicago children’s charities: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Hephzibah Children’s Association.
📲 Reservation: Read more about the Peninsula Chicago Hotel’s “Sky Rink.”
📍Address: 108 E Superior St, Chicago
🗓️ Dates: Open through Sunday, March 3.
Morgan Park Sports Center
Morgan Park Sports Center on the far Southwest Side is one spot where you can skate year-round. As one of the best ice skating rinks in Chicago, it’s located in the Morgan Park community at 115th Street and Western Ave; the 2.88-acre sports complex is home to a state-of-the-art gymnastics center, a fully equipped fitness studio, and an NHL-sized indoor ice rink with a seating capacity for 1,200 spectators.
The ice rink offers classes for those learning to skate, private lessons with coaches, ice hockey classes, and freestyle sessions for experienced figure skaters. There are also regular slots for public open skate sessions on Saturdays and Sundays where anybody can drop in.
Admission is $4 for children (ages 12 & under), $5 for teens and adults (ages 13 – 59), and $2 for senior citizens (60 & over), while skate rental for all costs $3.
📲 Reservation: Read more about ice skating at Morgan Park Sports Center.
📍Address: 11505 South Western Avenue, Chicago
🗓️ Dates: Morgan Park Sports Center is open year-round, but open sessions are only on specific dates.
Hyde Park’s Midway Plaisance Skating Rink
Hyde Park’s Midway Plaisance skating rink is located on the site of Chicago’s 1893 World Fair between Washington and Jackson Parks. From November through February, the Midway Plaisance is filled with an 83-acre ice skating rink offering free admission and $7 skate rentals, skating lessons, and organized hockey games.
📲 Reservation: More information on Midway Plaisance Park Ice Rink.
📍Address: 1130 Midway Plaisance, Chicago
🗓️ Dates: For now a Chicago Park District page has sessions open until at least February 19.
Wentworth Park Ice Rink
If you’re over by Midway, there’s a great ice skating rink at Wentworth Park. Located just west of the airport, this skating rink is open five days a week with $7 skate rentals.
Last year’s holiday hours began on Saturday, November 26th, so our best is Saturday, November 25th is a likely start date in 2023.
Opening times have been from 12 PM to 7 PM in the past.
📲 Reservation: More information on the Wentworth Park Ice Rink.
📍Address: 5625 S Mobile Ave, Chicago
🗓️ Dates: For now a Chicago Park District page has sessions open until at least February 19.
McKinley Park Ice Rink
Located off South Western Avenue Boulevard, the McKinley Park ice rink sits on a former horse track. Admission is free, though skate rental costs $7 for all ages.
📲 Reservation: More information on the McKinley Park Ice Rink.
📍Address: 3801 S. Western Boulevard, Chicago.
🗓️ Dates: For now a Chicago Park District page has sessions open until at least February 19.
Other seasonal ice rinks in Chicago that have now closed for the season
Winterland at Gallagher Way
Gallagher Way’s Winterland experience brings ice skating to the ballpark with a huge 12,000-square-foot ice rink along with the beloved Christkindlmarket.
The Winterland has now closed but will return to the iconic baseball field next winter.
📲 Reservation: Reservations and more information can be found at gallagherway.com.
📍Address: 3637 N Clark St., Chicago
🗓️ Dates: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 – Sunday, January 7, 2024.
Light Up The Lake at Navy Pier
Navy Pier’s ice rink brings winter fun indoors for those who can’t bear the cold evening air. The pier’s 170,000-square-foot Festival Hall transforms into an ice skating rink below a sea of sparkling Christmas lights every year.
Guests can bring their own skates and skate for free or rent skates at $15 per person.
📲 Reservation: More information can be found at navypier.org.
📍Address: 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago
🗓️ Opening dates: Friday, November 24, 2023 until Sunday, December 31, 2023.
Parkway Bank Park
Rosemount is where you go if you’re searching for extreme designer discounts or a BlackJack table. However, it’s recently gotten even better. Every winter guests visitors glide past the mall and the casino and head straight to one of the best ice skating rinks in Chicago! And it’s free!
While guests are invited to bring their own skates, skate rentals are available on-site for $8.
📲 Reservation: More information about Parkway Bank Parker here
📍Address: 5501 Park Pl, Rosemont, IL 60018
🗓️ Dates: Open through January 29, 2023.
[Featured image from Shutterstock]