Strap on the Skates at These DMV Ice Rinks
Why not make the best of the cold temperatures in the DMV this winter? Strap on some skates and go for a spin around the ice. Area ice skating rinks are now open. New this year is a synthetic rink in the Great Hall of the National Building Museum. Most offer lessons if you don’t know how to skate, and most are also available for birthday, corporate or private parties.
The Canal Park Ice Rink is in the Capitol Riverfront area near Nationals Stadium. (Photo: Canal Park Ice Rink)
Canal Park
The Canal Park Ice Rink, 200 M St. SE, is open late November through early March and offers a winding track set against an alluring cityscape in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. Group lessons are available for ages 5 and older from Nov. 30-Jan. 12 on Saturday and Sunday mornings between 8-11:45 a.m. for ages 5-18. Ice hockey lessons are available Sundays from 8-9:45 a.m. for ages 5-18. The cost is $249. While you are there, take a break and grab a slice of pizza from Wiseguy Pizza, or a coffee or gelato from Altani as you warm up inside.
The rink is open from 2-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. It is also open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on public school holidays. A 2-hour session is $13 for adults, $11 for children, college students and senior citizens. Skate rental is $10. Early bird admission is $10 for all ages ad skate rental is $7 between 3-6 p.m. weekdays.
At Ice & Lights at Cameron Run in Alexandria, enjoy skating and holiday lights. (Photo: NOVA Parks)
Ice & Lights
At Ice & Lights at Cameron Run, 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, enjoy skating and holiday lights in one place at this winter wonderland. Skaters can glide around displays and under the stars from Nov. 17-Feb. 23 then warm up with cocoa and pizza. Sessions are 1 1/2 hours during the day and 1 hour at night.
The rink is open daily from noon-10 p.m. through Jan. 5 (closed Christmas Day), then from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends and holidays through Feb. 23. There are special evening hours from 5-9 p.m. on Feb. 14. Tickets are $21.01 for skating and holiday village entry and $13.03 for daytime skating only. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. The price includes skates.
Skate for free on a synthetic rink in the National Building Museum’s Great Hall from Dec. 16-Jan. 4. (Photo: SmartRink)
National Building Museum
The DowntownDC Skate Spectacular is a synthetic, indoor ice skating rink at the National Building Museum’s Great Hall, 401 F St. NW. The rink is open Dec. 16-Jan. 4. There are specific “skate time periods” with toddlers, small children and their parents or guardians from noon-1:45 p.m., family skate from 2-5:45 p.m. and theme skate from 6-7:45 p.m. Themes include Taylor Swift and holiday songs on Dec. 16, 26 and Jan. 2; boy bands, girl pop and holiday songs on Dec. 19; 90s hip hop on Dec. 20 and Jan. 3; Madonna and Lady Gaga on Dec. 21; Prince and holiday songs on Dec. 22; Mariah Carey on Dec. 23; Beyonce on Dec. 27; Saturday Night Fever on Dec. 28; 80s blockbuster videos on Dec. 29; retro New Years party on Dec. 30; and Abba and disco on Jan. 4. There will be special appearances, food and family fun activities.
The rink is open from noon-8 p.m. Thursday through Monday. It is closed Tuesdays and Wednesday. Admission is FREE but registration is required and a waiver must be signed each visit. Skate rental is $5. Admission to the National Building Museum’s exhibits is not included.
The ice rink at the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden opens Nov. 23. (Photo: Getty Images)
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
The Ice Rink at the Sculpture Garden, Constitution Avenue and Seventh Street NW, is open Nov. 23 through Mar. 2. A long-time favorite destination that attracts thousands of visitors to skate on the National Mall, it is surround by sculptures by renowned contemporary artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Roy Lichentstein, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Enjoy a bite to eat or a hot drink at The Pavilion Café while you take a break. Group lessons are offered from 10-11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Price is $40 for a 30-minue walk-in lesson or $150 per session of four lessons.
The rink is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday with 45-minute sessions. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for children 12 and younger, senior citizens 60 and older, military service members with ID and students with a valid school ID. Stake rental is $6, season passes are $250 and lockers are free on a first come, first served basis.
The Reston Town Center Ice Rink opened Nov. 13. (Photo: Reston Town Center)
Reston Town Center
From Nov. 13 through mid-March, the Reston Town Center Ice Rink, 1818 Discovery St., Reston, transforms the center’s pavilion floor into a gleaming ice skating rink. Private lessons are available.
The rink is open from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. There are extended holiday hours. Adult admission is $11 and children 12 and younger, seniors 55 and older and military are $9. Skate rental is $7.
The Rockville Town Square Outdoor Ice Rink opened Oct. 13 and won’t close until early March.
(Photo: Rockville Town Square Ice Rink/Facebook)
Rockville Town Square
The Rockville Town Square Outdoor Ice Rink, 131 Gibbs St., Rockville, is the largest outdoor rink in Montgomery County. It is open from Oct. 18 through early-March. Skating lessons for children ages 7-15 are from 9-9:25 a.m. on Saturdays and children ages 4-6 are from 9:25-9:55 a.m. Saturdays. Both are $50 for five weeks. Adult lessons are Sunday mornings from 8-8:50 a.m. and cost $70 for five classes with a 50-minute practice session afterwards. All lessons include skate rental.
The rink is open from noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Hours are 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Dec. 24-30 and New Year’s Day. It is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Admission is $13 for adults 13 and older and $12 for children 12 and younger and $10 for senior citizens. Skate rental is $6.
The Silver Spring Outdoor Ice Rink is open from Oct. 17 to early-April. (Photo: Silver Spring Outdoor Ice Rink/Facebook)
Silver Spring Veterans Plaza
The Silver Spring Outdoor Ice Rink at Veterans Plaza, 8523 Fenton St., Silver Spring, is surrounded by restaurants, shops and plenty of parking that is free after 8 p.m. weeknights and all day on weekends. It is open from Oct. 17 to early-April. Youth group lessons for children ages 7-15 are from 9-9:25 a.m. on Saturdays and from 9:30-9:55 a.m. for children ages 3-6. Adult group lessons are from 9-9:50 a.m. on Sunday. Private lessons are also available.
The rink is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Admission is $11 for adults 13 and older and $10 for senior citizens and children 12 and younger. Skate rental is $6. Tickets and skate rentals must be purchased online. No sales at the rink.
The Washington Harbour Ice Rink opens this weekend. (Photo: Sam Kittner/Georgetown BID)
Washington Harbour
Rejoice in riverfront views at the Washington Harbour Ice Rink, 3050 K. St. NW, which is open from mid-November until Feb. 23, 2025, in Georgetown. Skate alongside the Potomac River, Key Bridge and Kennedy Center while enjoying a hot beverage from one of the rink-side restaurants. Lessons are given from 9-10 a.m. or 9:30-10 a.m. on Saturdays and 5-6 p.m. on Wednesdays.
The rink is open from 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday with extended holiday hours. Sessions are 90 minutes. Admission is $11 for adults, $9 for children 12 and younger, military and senior citizens. Skate rental is $7.
Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating at National Landing, formerly Pentagon Row, is the largest rink in Northern Virginia.
(Photo: Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating at National Landing/Facebook)
Westpost at National Landing
Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating at National Landing — formerly Pentagon Row — 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington, is the largest outdoor rink in Northern Virginia and the second largest in the state at 7,200 square feet. It features a dual-sided stone fireplace to warm yourself by during breaks. It is open Oct. 31 through mid-March. Lessons are available from 9-9:25 a.m. Saturdays for beginner and intermediate skaters. The cost is $125 for five weeks including skate rental and an hour practice after the lessons. Adult lessons for those 16 and older are Sunday mornings and cost $150 for five 50-minute lessons and 50-minute practice sessions. Private lessons are also available.
The rink is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday and Monday, noon-10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on Saturday. It is open from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Year’s Day and during public school holidays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 26-30 and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. New Year’s Eve. Admission is $13 for people 13 and older, $12 for children 12 and younger and $10 for senior citizens. Skate rental is $6.
The Wharf Ice Rink opens Nov. 24. (Photo: The Wharf)
The Wharf
Glide over the ice and enjoy amazing views of the Potomac River at the Wharf Ice Rink on the development’s Transit Pier, 970 Wharf St. SW. It opens Nov. 24 and will remain open Wednesday through Sunday through late-February. The rink, right on the Potomac River’s edge in the city’s Southwest Waterfront, is cash-free and only accepts electronic payments.
The rink is open from 4-10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-8 p.m. Sunday. There are extended hours on holidays. Admission is $25 for adults including skate rental ($19 without), $20 for children 12 and younger with skates ($16 without) and $20 for senior citizens 65 and older and military with valid ID. Separate skate rental is $9. Locker rental is $3. Admission is good for the entire day, as long as you keep the wristband on.
