Outdoor Ice Skating in Chicago: Where to Skate Downtown This Winter
Resumen
Downtown Chicago’s outdoor skating centers on the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park, opening November 20, 2026, and the Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon, opening November 13. This guide covers admission, reservations, and getting to the Millennium Park rinks, plus The Peninsula Sky Rink and Park District rinks in Hyde Park and McKinley Park. It also shows how to pair a skate with Holidays @ Skydeck at Willis Tower, less than a mile west, including a sample one-day plan timed for sunset on the 103rd floor.
Índice
- Downtown Chicago Ice Skating Rinks at a Glance
- Where Can You Go Ice Skating in Downtown Chicago?
- Where Else Can You Skate Outdoors in Chicago?
- What Can You Do Before or After Ice Skating in Downtown Chicago?
- What Should You Know Before You Go Skating in Chicago?
- Warm Up 103 Floors Up This Holiday Season
- Frequently Asked Questions About Ice Skating in Chicago
Outdoor ice skating in downtown Chicago centers on three spots for the 2026-27 season. The Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon opens November 13, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park opens November 20, and The Peninsula Sky Rink offers rooftop skating above the Magnificent Mile. Beyond the Loop, Park District rinks in Hyde Park and McKinley Park round out the city’s outdoor ice. After you skate, warm up indoors at Holidays @ Skydeck, running November 13, 2026 to January 4, 2027 at Willis Tower, less than a mile west of Millennium Park.
Downtown Chicago Ice Skating Rinks at a Glance
| Rink | Neighborhood | 2026-27 Season | Admisión |
|---|---|---|---|
| McCormick Tribune Ice Rink | Millennium Park, Loop | Nov. 20, 2026 to Feb. 2027 | Free; skate rental extra |
| Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon | Maggie Daley Park, Loop | Nov. 13, 2026 to Mar. 7, 2027 | $17 to $23 with skate rental; less with your own skates. Reservations required. |
| The Peninsula Sky Rink | Magnificent Mile | Seasonal; check The Peninsula for dates | See The Peninsula for pricing |
| Midway Plaisance Ice Rink | Hyde Park | Typically November to February | Free; skate rentals available |
| McKinley Ice Rink | McKinley Park, Southwest Side | Typically late November to mid-February | See the Chicago Park District for rates |
All outdoor rinks are weather dependent. Check each rink’s official page for same-day closures.
Where Can You Go Ice Skating in Downtown Chicago?
For ice skating in downtown Chicago, head to Millennium Park and neighboring Maggie Daley Park, which together hold the city’s two signature outdoor rinks. Both sit along Michigan Avenue in the Loop, a short walk apart and less than a mile east of Skydeck at Willis Tower, so a skate fits easily into a full day downtown.
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink: Skating Near the Bean
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink is Chicago’s classic outdoor skating experience, set right next to Cloud Gate (the Bean) with the Michigan Avenue skyline on one side and the city’s Christmas tree in view, one of the best spots for Christmas lights in Chicago. More than 100,000 skaters glide across it each winter, and after dark the holiday lights reflect off the Bean just steps from the ice.
- Season: November 20, 2026 to February 2027, weather permitting
- Admission: Free
- Reservations: Free online reservations were required last season. Check the official rink page for this season’s booking rules.
- Skate rentals: Available on site
- Free lessons: Offered on weekend mornings in recent seasons. Check the official page for this year’s schedule.
Get the latest hours and booking details from the official Millennium Park ice rink page.
Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon
The Ice Skating Ribbon is a winding path of ice that loops through Maggie Daley Park, just east of Millennium Park, with skyscrapers rising behind the trees. The ribbon is roughly twice the length of a lap around a traditional rink, so it feels more like a skating trail than a circle.
- Season: November 13, 2026 to March 7, 2027
- Admission: $17 to $23 with skate rental, with lower pricing when you bring your own skates
- Reservations: Required. Tickets open for the season November 2 and are released online on a rolling basis.
Book a time slot through the Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon site.
Is There Rooftop Ice Skating in Chicago?
Yes. The Peninsula Sky Rink sits on a fourth-floor terrace at The Peninsula Chicago, overlooking the Magnificent Mile. It’s a synthetic skating surface rather than real ice, surrounded by holiday lights and skyline views, and it’s the only hotel skating rink in the city. The hotel sits just off Michigan Avenue, where the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival kicks off the holiday season each November.
- Location: The Peninsula Chicago, 108 E. Superior St.
- Dates and pricing: Check The Peninsula Sky Rink for this season’s schedule and skate rental details
How Do You Get to the Downtown Rinks?
The CTA is the easiest way to reach the Millennium Park rinks. On the elevated lines, exit at Washington/Wabash and walk east. On the subway, exit at Lake on the Red Line or Washington on the Blue Line and walk east. Metra Electric and South Shore Line trains stop at Millennium Station, right at Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street. The Ice Skating Ribbon is just across the BP Bridge from Millennium Park.
Driving in? Grant Park North, Grant Park South, Millennium Park, and Millennium Lakeside garages are all close by, and Millennium Lakeside sits right below Maggie Daley Park. Ending the day at Skydeck? With parking near Willis Tower, you can park once and walk to the rinks, less than a mile east.
Where Else Can You Skate Outdoors in Chicago?
Outside downtown, the Chicago Park District runs seasonal outdoor rinks in neighborhood parks. They tend to be less crowded than the Loop rinks, which makes them a good fit for families and beginners.
Midway Plaisance Ice Rink
The Midway Plaisance Ice Rink sits in Hyde Park on the grounds of the 1893 World’s Fair, framed by the Gothic architecture of the University of Chicago. Admission is free, and skate rentals, skate aids for new skaters, and adaptive sleds that let people of all abilities skate together are available.
- Season: Typically November through February
- Admission: Free
Check the Midway Plaisance Ice Rink page for current hours and any registration requirements.
McKinley Park Ice Rink
On the Southwest Side, the McKinley Ice Rink in McKinley Park offers open skate sessions plus programming like stick and puck and learn-to-skate times. It’s an easy option for skaters coming from neighborhoods beyond downtown.
- Location: 2210 W. Pershing Rd.
- Season: Typically late November through mid-February
Find session times on the McKinley Ice Rink page, along with admission, skate rental, and registration details.
What Can You Do Before or After Ice Skating in Downtown Chicago?
After ice skating in downtown Chicago, head indoors to Skydeck at Willis Tower, less than a mile west of Millennium Park. The 103rd-floor observation deck pairs naturally with an outdoor skate: it’s fully indoors and warm, and every ticket includes skyline views, The Ledge, and the interactive Chicago Museum. From November 13, 2026 to January 4, 2027, Holidays @ Skydeck adds holiday lights, décor, and Santa Photo Sessions to the visit.
Pair Ice Skating With Holidays @ Skydeck
If you’re visiting Chicago in December, Holidays @ Skydeck turns a skating trip into a full holiday day. Thousands of twinkling lights, holiday décor, and festive photo ops fill the lower-level Chicago Museum and the observation deck, so you can trade the cold rink for Christmas in Chicago from the highest view in town.
Highlights this season include:
- Santa Photo Sessions: November 14 to December 24, with no sessions on Thanksgiving Day
- A holiday-decorated L train replica: a classic Chicago photo op
- A giant gingerbread Chicago skyline: new at Willis Tower this season
- Willis Tower Holiday Market: December 8 to 10, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Up top, step out onto The Ledge, the glass balcony 1,353 feet above Wacker Drive, and look east toward the parks where you just skated. Time your visit for late afternoon and you’ll watch the city light up for the holidays from the highest observation deck in the United States. Skating followed by sunset at Skydeck is one of the easiest winter date ideas in Chicago.
Can You Go Ice Skating and Visit Skydeck in One Day?
Yes. Skate in Millennium Park or Maggie Daley Park in the morning, walk less than a mile west to Willis Tower, and spend the afternoon at Skydeck. Because sunset comes before 5 p.m. throughout the Holidays @ Skydeck season, a mid-afternoon arrival puts you on the 103rd floor as the city lights come on.
| When | Stop | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Late morning | Skate at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink or the Ice Skating Ribbon | Daylight skating, and both rinks sit side by side in the Loop |
| Midday | Walk west to Willis Tower and warm up at Catalog | Less than a mile across the Loop, with dining under one roof |
| Afternoon | Holidays @ Skydeck in the Chicago Museum | Santa Photo Sessions, the L train replica, and the gingerbread skyline |
| Sunset | Head up to the 103rd floor and The Ledge | Sunset comes before 5 p.m. throughout the Holidays @ Skydeck season |
| Evening | Walk back east for the lights | The Christmas tree in Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue lit up for the holidays |
Between stops, grab something warm at Catalog at Willis Tower, or book Pie in the Sky for a sweet treat with a view.
What Should You Know Before You Go Skating in Chicago?
Book ahead, dress in layers, and check the weather before you leave. Chicago’s outdoor rinks can close for warm temperatures, rain, or extreme cold, and popular time slots fill up fast around the holidays.
- Reserve early where required. Rinks that use online reservations release time slots in advance, and weekends and school breaks go first.
- Bring your own skates vs. renting. Bringing your own skates is the cheaper option at rinks that charge for rentals.
- Check for weather closures. Look at the rink’s official page or social channels the day you go.
- Have a warm backup plan. If weather closes the ice, the day doesn’t have to end. Skydeck is fully indoors, and so are plenty of other indoor things to do in Chicago.
Warm Up 103 Floors Up This Holiday Season
After the ice, take in Chicago from Skydeck on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower. Every general admission ticket includes three experiences in one: sweeping skyline views, The Ledge, and the interactive Chicago Museum, all dressed up for Holidays @ Skydeck through January 4, 2027. Buy in advance to lock in your visit, and reserve your Skydeck tickets before you head to the rink.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ice Skating in Chicago
Is ice skating free in Chicago?
Yes, at several rinks. Admission is free at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park and the Midway Plaisance Ice Rink in Hyde Park, though skate rentals cost extra. The Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon charges $17 to $23 with skate rental, and less if you bring your own skates.
Do you need a reservation to skate at Millennium Park?
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink required free online reservations last season. Check the official rink page before you go for this season’s booking rules.
When does outdoor ice skating open in Chicago?
The Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon opens November 13, 2026, and the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park opens November 20, 2026. Chicago Park District neighborhood rinks typically open in late November and run through mid-February.
Where can you ice skate near the Bean?
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink sits right next to Cloud Gate (the Bean) in Millennium Park. It’s open November 20, 2026 to February 2027, weather permitting, and admission is free.
Is there rooftop ice skating in Chicago?
Yes. The Peninsula Sky Rink is a seasonal synthetic rink on a fourth-floor terrace at The Peninsula Chicago, overlooking the Magnificent Mile. Check the hotel’s Sky Rink page for this season’s dates.
How far is Skydeck from the Millennium Park ice rink?
Willis Tower is less than a mile west of the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park, an easy walk across the Loop or a short CTA ride.
What can you do after ice skating in downtown Chicago?
Head indoors to Skydeck, the 103rd-floor observation deck at Willis Tower, less than a mile west of the Millennium Park rinks. Every ticket includes skyline views, The Ledge, and the Chicago Museum, and from November 13, 2026 to January 4, 2027, Holidays @ Skydeck adds holiday lights, décor, and Santa Photo Sessions. After dark, walk back to Millennium Park to see the city’s Christmas tree.
Can you go ice skating and visit Skydeck in the same day?
Yes. Skate at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink or the Ice Skating Ribbon in the morning, then walk less than a mile west to Willis Tower. Arrive at Skydeck in mid-afternoon to catch sunset from the 103rd floor, since the sun sets before 5 p.m. throughout the Holidays @ Skydeck season.
What is Holidays @ Skydeck?
Holidays @ Skydeck is Skydeck Chicago’s seasonal celebration, running November 13, 2026 through January 4, 2027. Skydeck’s lower-level Chicago Museum and observation deck are decorated with thousands of lights and holiday décor, plus Santa visits, holiday photo ops, and seasonal entertainment.
