This Guide is generously sponsored by Parkway Bank Park.
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Oh what fun! Plan your families' visit to Rosemont to enjoy free outdoor ice skating at Parkway Bank Park's Chicago Wolves Ice Rink, November 23 through January 26, 2025! Admission is free and guests are invited to bring their own skates or rent on-site for only $8. Full hours and schedule can be found here.
Enjoy a variety of family-friendly holiday offerings available on Saturday, November 23 from 2pm-6pm leading up to the annual "Light Up The Park" tree lighting ceremoy that evening! Offerings include visits with Santa and Mrs. Clause, horse-drawn sleigh rides, carolers, ice sculpting viewing and more.
As the temperatures start to drop in Chicagoland, we have to make the best of it. It's time to lace up those skates and get ready to glide along the ice at one of the many outdoor rinks. It's such a great activity for the kids to do with their friends too.
If you have a beginner, many rinks have skate trainers or skate aids available to borrow or rent, however we have some additional tips of our own:
1. Bob's double-bladed skates - These attach to your shoes with straps and make it so much easier for little ones. When they graduate out of these, consider purchasing some adjustable skates. With the price of rentals these days, it won't take long for it be worth it, and with skates that can adjust three or four sizes, you can use them for years.
2. Helmets -They are going to fall. Don't risk a head injury. That ice is hard!
3. Snow pants - Not only will they keep them dry when they fall, but they also add a little cushion.
4. A long scarf - Take a scarf and loop it across your child's chest and under their arms. By holding both ends, you can help direct them and keep them on their feet. Your back with thank you!
5. Stay away from the walls - First off, that's usually where you'll find other beginners and likely knock each other down. Secondly, they become too dependent on the wall and they really aren't learning how to skate. Lastly, the wall is just one more thing for them to hit when they fall.
Where to Go
The Chicago Wolves Ice Rink at Parkway Bank Park, Rosemont
The rink opens on November 23rd followed by the annual “Light Up The Park” tree lighting event. Ice skating among 80,000 holiday lights is free all season, as is parking, and you have a slew of restaurants around the park to choose from.
Ice Skating Ribbon, Maggie Daley Park
Opening day is November 15th for the skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park. Instead of the conventional circular ice rink, here you can follow a winding ribbon as it rises and falls, with its one-of-a-kind view of the Chicago skyline. Tickets are released only two weeks in advance of each weekly session through March 9th, 2025.
Jack Frost Winterfest, Fulton Market
Jack Frost's Winterfest is chock full of instagrammable photo ops. In addition to the full size ice rink, there's a two story tubing hill, ice bumper cars, and axe throwing. While the kids are on the ice, grab a seasonal cocktail at the outdoor bar and warm yourself around one of the firepits.
McCormick Tribune Plaza and Ice Rink, Millennium Park
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park is basically the Chicago version of New York's Rockefeller Center. Skating here is iconic. It is free with your own skates, but rentals are available. In addition to open skate times, they offer free skate lessons on weekend mornings throughout the winter. Both must be reserved in advance.
Warren Park Ice Rink, West Ridge
The Warren Park Ice Rink is huge and skating is free. Skates available for rent run from a child’s size 8 through a men’s size 12 with no half sizes. Skate trainers are available on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. In addition to free skate trainer rentals, Warren Park Ice Rink offers free specialty sled rentals, for both children and adults, designed with a foot guard, ABS bucket seat, footrest, and pusher handle, allowing people of all abilities to skate together. The Warren Park Ice Rink will be open for skating as well as various hockey programs from November 29th to February 17th, 2025 (weather permitting.) Pre-registration is required for all programs, including open skate sessions. Reservations will be released on a rolling basis at noon on Mondays, for the sessions that run two weeks later.
