Be sure to bring along a change of clothes! Southland ice rinks on a sunny day have more in common with a Slip 'n' Slide than with a frozen mountain lake, and falling with a splash is only funny when you know dry clothes are waiting.

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Los Angeles

Kids of all sizes love Ice at Santa Monica. Photo by the author

1. ICE at Santa Monica — Santa Monica

November 8, 2024 - January 20, 2025
Admission & skate rental: $22 

The seasonal ice skating rink by the sea, ICE at Santa Monica, is a local favorite. It even has a 400-square-foot rink just for tots (with very cute plastic pengins to help littles keep their balance). The rink has been a regular part of the beach city's winter scene for over a decade, set up for the holiday season in a parking lot on the corner of 5th and Arizona steps from Third Street Promenade. Skate rentals come with the price of admission. Lockers and other skating accessories are available for additional costs. 

Pizza and hot chocolate can be purchased at ICE. Fire pits and s'mores are available to book in advance. Skating lessons are offered on Sunday mornings, and ICE is available for private parties.  ICE will also be holding many special events this year that range from Taylor Swift's Birthday. to a New Year's Eve countdown skate party Tickets can be purchased online. 

RELATED: Snow Play Near Los Angeles: Places LA Families Can Pretend It's Winter

Skate in Pershing Square. Photo courtesy of Red Apple Photography 

2. Holiday Ice Rink — Pershing Square, DTLA

November 21, 2024 - January 12, 2025
Admission & skate rental: $20

The Pershing Rink is back! The annual outdoor holiday ice skating rink has been an LA institution for more than 20 years and is the city's largest outdoor rink at 7,200 square feet. Families glide under the sun and stars, enjoying free concerts on many days. Tickets must be purchased in advance online. Lockers are also available for an additional cost. Look for special events like Wicked Wednesdays (featuring music from the Broadway Cast Recording), and curling lessons.  

RELATED: Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains in Los Angeles

LA Kings Holiday Ice Rink offers great holiday photo ops with that giant, sparkling tree in the middle. Photo courtesy of LA LIVE

3. LA Kings Holiday Ice — DTLA

November 29, 2024 - January 10, 2025
Admission & skate rental: $15-25 

LA Live offers one of LA's best seasonal ice rinks, adorned by a giant, family photo-worthy Christmas tree in the center. The ice quality is solid, the setting is festive and fun, and all of the entertainment of the LA Live complex is right there. Note that although the address is listed as Olympic Blvd., the rink faces Chick Hearn; the closest parking is Lot W, entrance B, on Chick Hearn (price varies depending upon arena events). Skates are available for rent starting in a size 7t. 

4. Silver Bells Arena at Santa's Village - Lake Arrowhead

Select weekends all winter (see website for 2024 schedule) 
Included with admission starting at $39 

This rink is a bit of a hike from LA, but it's the most magical one in the Southland. Skypark at Santa's Village is a Christmas wonderland nestled in the mountains, and like every good Christmas wonderland, there is a beautiful outdoor ice skating rink. You'll have to pay a pretty penny to enter the park, but once you do, ice skating and skate rentals are included in the price of admission. If you want your family to experience a holiday skate session that will become a core memory, this is it. 

5. Sock Skating Rink — Pasadena 

November 8, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Museum admission + an additional $5 fee

When you think of outdoor ice skating rinks, you probably think of skates that glide across those frosty surfaces. As part of the annual Winter Frolic at Kidspace, kids can opt for something different while still getting their outdoor skating fix—a no-ice Sock Skating Rink. No skates are needed for this one! Yet, it still provides outdoor winter holiday fun. Plus, there are tons more winter activities for children at Kidspace. The Sock Skating Rink is an additional $5 fee after museum admission. 

RELATED: Best Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in Los Angeles for Kids

Ice skating in the SoCal sunshine is a hoot! Photo by Mommy Poppins

Awesome Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Orange County

6. Spectrum Ice Rink— Irvine

November 9, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Admission & skate rental: $19-25 

The Spectrum's seasonal ice rink is open for business in Giant Wheel Court, welcoming OC families who want to glide across the ice in the SoCal sunshine and give new meaning to Orange Slushy. Check the rink's website for specific seasonal times and closures, as times vary on some days; admission is for one session between ice cleanings. Parties are available, and season passes (no black-out dates) cost $199. "Jump the line" tickets are also available.  

7. Winter Fest OC - Costa Mesa 
November 22, 2024 - January 5, 2024 
Admission to Winter Fest starts at $25 

Winter Fest is more than just an ice skating rink, it is a giant ode to the holidays with tube sledding, snow play, immersive light experiences, light shows, rides carnival food, and more. But, it does include ice skating! 

RELATED: Snow Play near Los Angeles: Places LA Families Can Pretend It's Winter

On a hot day, sitting on the ice can even feel good! Photo by the author

Originally published in 2011