Hey Chicago!
The Ben Lalez Team here, and you know we’re constantly looking for ways to get through the winter quickly. This week, we’ve put together this guide to every public ice rink in Chicago (and a few nearby spots worth the short trip).
So sharpen your skates, throw on a Blackhawk’s jersey, and get ready to shave some ice!
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park is Chicago’s most famous skating spot, where you can skate in the shadow of The Bean with the city’s Christmas tree lit up nearby. It’s literally the postcard version of a Chicago winter.
The rink is already open and runs until February 1, 2026, weather permitting. They have 90-minute skating sessions starting at 11:00 am every day, with the last session beginning at 9:00 pm. If you don’t know how to skate, they have free skating lessons on most Saturdays and Sunday mornings at 9 am.
Admission is free if you bring your own skates, though they might charge $5 during peak holiday periods. Skate rentals cost about $17 Monday through Thursday and $21 Friday through Sunday and holidays.
However, online reservations are required for all sessions!
Even though entry is free, you need to reserve your 90-minute slot ahead of time on the website. Walk-up spots are extremely limited and only available if a session isn’t full (which almost never happens on weekends or evenings).
Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon
The Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon isn’t a standard rink. Instead, you’ll skate along a quarter-mile ice path that winds and curves through the park. It’s currently open and runs all the way until March 8, 2026.
Open daily with multiple timed sessions from morning through evening. If you want to avoid crowds, go weekday mornings and afternoons instead of evenings and weekends.
If you bring your own skates, your first session is free. Additional sessions or skating on peak days costs $5. Skate rentals range from $17-$19 Monday through Thursday and $21-$23 Friday through Sunday and holidays if you book online.
Advanced reservations are required for all skating sessions. The Ribbon is extremely popular, so book your timed ticket online.
The park often runs extras like “Skate with Santa” in December or theme nights. A warming tent and the Rink Café on-site serve hot cocoa, cider, Chicago-style hot dogs and other treats.
Definitely a cool spot to check out this winter if you’ve never been.
Gallagher Way Ice Rink
Located next to Wrigley Field, the Gallagher Way Ice Rink is a 12,000-square-foot rink and part of the annual Winterland at Gallagher Way festival. The Winterland festival ends December 31, but the rink will be open until February 15, 2026.
Check the Winterland schedule for special events and weather closures before you head out. This rink charges admission, unlike the city-run locations. Entry is $8 if you bring your own skates, or $16 including skate rental. Kids 2 and under are free. And there is no time limit, meaning your ticket is generally good for the day’s session.
You also won’t need reservations. All tickets are first-come, first-served at the gate. The rink is massive, so wait times are usually short except on the busiest days.
Chicago Park District Neighborhood Rinks
The Chicago Park District operates five neighborhood outdoor ice rinks across the city beyond Maggie Daley. These community rinks are free and offer open skating, hockey sessions, and lessons throughout the season. All require online pre-registration for open skate sessions to prevent overcrowding.
Midway Plaisance Ice Rink
The Midway Plaisance rink is in Hyde Park and runs until mid-February. Free admission, $7 skate rental. Open skate sessions run daily, with some dedicated hockey and “Stick & Puck” practice times each week.
Warren Park Ice Rink
Located at 6601 N. Western Ave. in West Ridge, Warren Park is open all winter through to February. Free admission, $7 skate rental. Tucked in the city’s largest far-north public park, this Olympic-sized rink is a local favorite known for excellent ice quality. Open skating happens daily, plus rat hockey (adult pick-up hockey) for a $10 fee on certain mornings.
McKinley Park Ice Rink
The McKinley Park rink is located at 2210 W. Pershing Rd. near Bridgeport. Like the previous rinks, it’s open until mid-February. Free admission, $7 skate rental. Open skate is scheduled most days, though some weekdays are dedicated to school programs or hockey. After mid-January, hours may be limited to weekends only. A community bonfire night is usually held here in winter, where families roast marshmallows after skating under the stars.
Mt. Greenwood Park Ice Rink
This rink is in Mount Greenwood and is open until February 2026. Free admission, $7 rentals. Located in a family-friendly Southwest Side neighborhood, this rink works well for beginners and young skaters. Public skating and youth hockey lessons share the ice throughout the week.
Wentworth Park Ice Rink
The Wentworth Park rink in Garfield Ridge is also open now and runs through the winter until February. Free admission, $7 rentals. It’s mostly open seven days a week for open skating, one of the few rinks with daily hours. Pre-registration online is required for sessions, like all Park District rinks.
All Park District outdoor rinks are weather-dependent. Always check the Park District website or social media for updates on closures due to warm weather.
Year-Round Indoor Ice Rinks
Chicago has a few year-round indoor ice rinks that offer public skating sessions, and most are affordable.
McFetridge Sports Center Ice Rink
This is a popular indoor rink on the North Side, and is open year-round. Public skate admission: $6 for ages 13 and up, $5 for kids 12 and under. Skate rentals $4.
Open skating sessions happen every day, typically in the afternoons on weekends (Saturday 3:30 pm – 5 pm, Sunday 4:30 pm – 6 pm) and some weekday lunchtime skates. Adults 50 and over have their own free Senior Skate times on certain weekdays. It’s first-come, first-served, so arrive early on weekends as sessions can fill up.
This rink is one of only two indoor ice facilities run by the Park District. It’s known for affordable prices and has free parking. There is limited bleacher seating and no full snack bar, so plan to eat beforehand if you’re hungry.
More information can be found here.
Morgan Park Sports Center Ice Rink
The Park District’s other year-round indoor rink is on the far South Side in Beverly/Morgan Park. Admission is $5 for adults and teens, $4 for kids, $2 for seniors. Expect to pay about $3 for skate rentals.
Open skate sessions are usually on weekends and occasional weeknights, like Sunday afternoons and one or two evenings during the week. Schedules vary by season, so check the center’s website. Public skating tends to be less crowded than at McFetridge due to the location. Free parking is available.
Fifth Third Arena – Chicago Blackhawks Community Ice Rink
Fifth Third Arena is the Chicago Blackhawks’ official practice center, and it’s open to the public for skating sessions and programs. This impressive two-rink facility just west of downtown offers public skating almost daily.
Admission: $12 for public skate. Skate rental: $5. All public skates are walk-in (no reservation required).
As the Blackhawks’ practice rink, Fifth Third has pro-level ice quality. Skaters often say it’s the best ice in town. In January 2026, the arena is unveiling a major expansion by adding a second full-size rink (two surfaces total), plus a new restaurant/café and a Blackhawks Hall of Fame exhibit.
Public visitors can sometimes watch Blackhawks team practices for free in the mornings (check the schedule).
Ice Skating Rinks Near Chicago
If you’re willing to drive just outside the city limits or take a short train ride, several suburban rinks offer great skating experiences.
Chicago Wolves Ice Rink
The Chicago Wolves Ice Rink is a free outdoor rink near O’Hare Airport. Located in Parkway Bank Park entertainment district, this rink runs up until January 25, 2026.
Hours: Open Friday evenings and all day on Saturdays and Sundays, with daily hours during late December school break. Admission is free. Skate rentals $8 on-site. No reservations required.
The rink is easily reachable via the CTA Blue Line (Rosemont stop) and offers free parking in the Parkway Bank Park garage with validation.
Robert Crown Community Center Ice Rinks
Robert Crown Community Center has two NHL-size indoor rinks and offers extensive public skating hours year-round.
Admission: $10 for adults, $6 for kids 17 and under. Skate rental $4. Public skates are available almost daily, including convenient weekday morning and evening sessions plus weekends. Check the center’s schedule for times.
This facility is state-of-the-art and includes a branch library and an indoor track. They run creative events like monthly DJ Night Skates with cosmic lights and music (just $1 over regular admission).
Ridgeland Common (Paul Hruby Ice Rink)
Ridgeland Common is just west of Chicago and is an indoor rink open year-round. Public skate admission is $12 and includes skate rentals.
Public skating is offered several times a week. The “Noon Skate” on weekdays (11:30 am – 1 pm) is the best-kept secret because it’s almost empty, offering wide-open ice. Friday and Saturday evening sessions are more of a party atmosphere, sometimes with cosmic skating with music and lights.
On New Year’s Eve day, Ridgeland Common hosts a “Noon Year’s Eve” skate with a countdown and balloon drop at noon for kids who can’t stay up till midnight. They also offer free hockey gear rental for kids interested in trying hockey programs.
Skatium Ice Arena
Skatium Ice Arena is a popular North Shore indoor rink open year-round. Admission: $7. Skate rental: $4.
Public skating sessions happen almost every day, along with a schedule of classes and hockey leagues. The rink is large and well-maintained for both beginners and experienced skaters.
Skatium has a reputation as very family-friendly, often filled with grade school kids and parents on weekends. It’s a good atmosphere and a solid option for Chicagoans on the north side.
That’s It For Ice Rinks
Winter in Chicago can definitely feel long, but the city gives you plenty of reasons to get outside and make the most of it. Ice skating is one of those winter activities that lets you break a bit of a sweat and reward yourself with a hot chocolate afterwards.
Whether you’re practicing your edges at Warren Park or taking a date to skate under the lights at Millennium Park, each rink offers something different.
Always make sure to check rink websites before you head out, since weather can close outdoor rinks temporarily, and hours sometimes shift after the holidays.
And if you’re considering a move to Chicago (or moving between neighborhoods) and want to talk about it, give us a shout! We’ve helped over a thousand families over the last decade, and we’d be happy to be part of your next move!
