Once again, ice skating season has snuck up on us, sending us to the attic to dig out our blades as we plan our schedule of gliding, glissading, and recovering with spiked pumpkin lattes after a few tumbles onto our backsides.
Philly has several rinks for your skimming pleasure, including five run by the Department of Parks and Recreation that offer no-cost admission. All five have free hours on Saturday and/or Sunday afternoons and at other other times that vary by location.
The city encourages rink visitors to bring their own skates, but they can be rented for $3 to $5. All the rinks also offer skating classes, usually for a relatively small fee, and some have hockey, figure skating, and other programs.
The schedules below are taken from rink websites or social media pages where available and may differ from the times posted by Parks & Rec, especially around Christmas. Check the sites for updated information or give them a call to make sure they’ll be open when you want to go.
Rizzo Rink
1001 S. Front St., South Philly
(215) 685-1593
Free skating:
- Tuesday 4-5:15 p.m.
- Thursday 4-5:15 p.m.
- Friday 6:30-7:45 p.m.
- Sunday 12:45-2 p.m. and 2:15-3:30 p.m.
Skate rentals: $5
Classes: Call for information
Website
Instagram
Scanlon Ice Rink
1099 E. Venango St., Harrowgate
(215) 685-9893
Free skating:
- Saturday 1-3 p.m.
- Sunday 1-3 p.m.
Skate rentals: $3
Classes: Saturday 3:15 p.m. $25 registration + $5 class fee
Facebook page
Did you know?: Scanlon’s rink and rec center were recently renovated.
Laura Sims Skate House
210 S. 63rd St., Cobbs Creek
(215) 685-1995
Free skating:
- Monday 7-9 p.m.
- Wednesday 7-9 p.m.
- Friday 7:45-9:45 p.m.
- Saturday 3-5 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Sunday 3-5 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Holiday schedule:
- Dec. 24 12-2 p.m.
- Dec. 31 12-2 p.m.
Skate rentals: $3
Learn to skate lessons: $3.25 one-time fee; call to register for a session starting Jan. 4
Basic/advanced lessons: $60-$75 for 6-week sessions
Website
Did you know?: Laura Sims Skate House was the first U.S. rink built by and for a Black community.
Simons Ice Rink
7200 Woolston Ave., West Oak Lane
(215) 685-3551
Free skating:
- Tuesday 3-5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday 7-8:30 p.m.
- Thursday 3-5:30 p.m.
- Friday 7-8:30 p.m.
- Saturday 1-4 p.m.
- Sunday 1:30-3:30 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Skate rentals: $5
Classes: Tuesday and Thursday 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free.
Website
Tarken Ice Rink
6250 Frontenac St., Oxford Circle
(215) 685-1226
Free skating:
- Monday 7-9 p.m.
- Friday 7-9 p.m.
- Saturday 3:30-5 p.m.
Holiday schedule:
- Dec. 23 10-12 p.m. and 3:30-5 p.m.
- Dec. 24 10 a.m. Skate with Santa
- Dec. 26 12-2 p.m. and 2:30-4:30pm
- Dec. 27 12-2 p.m. and 2:30-4:30pm
- Dec. 28 12-2 p.m. and 2:30-4:30pm
- Dec. 29 3:30-5pm
- Dec. 30 10 am.-12 p.m. and 2-4 p.m.
Skate rental: $3
Classes: Saturday 10 a.m. kids, 10:30 a.m. adults. $5 per class. Classes resume Jan. 6.
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