While wintertime weather can put an end to many fun in sun activities, it also expands one’s opportunities to take part in recreational activities such as ice skating.
Around Massachusetts, many rinks offer indoor and outdoor public skating times for those looking to lace up and take some laps this holiday season and winter.
See MassLive’s list below for 10 of the best ice skating rinks available across the state this season.
Worcester Common Oval
The 12,000-square-foot rink on the Worcester Common has been in operations for a decade now, and is actually 4,000 feet larger than the famous Rockefeller Center rink in New York City, according to the city of Worcester.
Featuring piped-in music, skate rentals, concessions and holiday lights, the city describes the skating experience as a “fun and affordable family-friendly activity.”
The rink reopened to public skating at the city’s annual Festival of Lights on Friday, Dec. 2. Once open, normal hours of operation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, as well as 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, the city said.
During school vacations and holidays extended hours range from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It costs $5 for admission, as well as an additional $5 for skate rentals. Children under the age five and under can skate for free. Devices called “Little Helpers” to assist those learning how to ice skate cost $5.
Cyr Arena, Forest Park, Springfield
This recently renovated ice skating facility returned to public skating on Friday, Dec. 2. The renovation has brought with it “a brand new warming room, concession stand and six changing rooms,” the city of Springfield said, noting the facility also has four team locker rooms, a girls locker room and a referee room.
The Cyr Arena has opportunities to skate on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. as well as from 2 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. on Sundays, the city added.
Price points for skating start at $3 for youths and $5 for adults, it said. Skate rentals cost $4.25 per pair. Notably, the rink does not accept credit or debit cards as a form of payment.
The rink can also be rented for private events such as birthday parties after 4 p.m. — those interested are asked to call 413-787-6438, according to the city.
The rink is located within Springfield’s Forest Park and is accessible from the 200 Trafton Road entrance, the city said.
Mullins Center Community Ice Rink, UMass Amherst
As the only Olympic sized ice rink in the Pioneer Valley, this skating spot located on the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus sits next to the Mullins Center stadium — home to UMass ice hockey and basketball games, among other notable entertainment events.
The community ice rink offers a range of public skating dates throughout the university’s academic year.
The Mullins Center said that prices for admission are typically $7 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and under. It added that skate rentals cost $5 and range in sizes from child size nine through adult size 13 in men’s fit. UMass undergraduate students with valid ID can enter for free, while Five College Consortium students with valid ID can enter for $5.
Those interested in skating at the rink are advised to check the public skating schedule and prices often — as they may be subject to change, according to the Mullins Center.
The rink is also home to the UMass women’s ice hockey team and the Skating Club of Amherst, which is associated with U.S. Figure Skating, according to UMass Amherst. The university added that graduate students can purchase semester passes for $25 or receive $2 off admission by showing their UMass student ID.
Ice Skating at MGM Springfield
Springfield’s MGM casino isn’t just for gambling. It also opens an annual skating rink for wintertime fun.
The rink reopened on Nov. 25 and is slated to remain open until New Year’s Day 2023, and has hours from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursdays, as well as 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, according to MGM Springfield.
On weekends the rink is also open from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays, in addition to 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays, MGM Springfield added. It is not open on Mondays or Tuesdays.
Admission prices for the general public cost $14 per adult, $10 for children age 12 and under as well as for veterans, active duty military and first responders with valid ID, MGM Springfield said. Skate rentals cost $6. MGM Rewards Members can receive discounted or free admission and skate rentals.
Skating sessions last for 45 minutes and start on the hour, the casino and hotel said. Skaters should be at least 5 years old to skate and children must be supervised at all times.
The Rink at MarketStreet, Lynnfield
Set amid the varied shops at MarketStreet in the community north of Boston, this outdoor rink opened in mid-November of this year, according to the MarketStreet site.
Skating on The Rink generally available on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and longer hours on the weekend, it added.
Those looking to do some possible weekend holiday shopping can make a day at open air shopping center browsing items from clothing, to home goods, to technology — then go for some laps around the rink, with plentiful food options on site as well.
Ice skating is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays, MarketStreet said.
General admission to The Rink costs $12 per person, with those age three and under granted free entry. Skate rentals cost $5 per person.
The Fitzpatrick Arena, Holyoke
This skating rink in the city of Holyoke is one of a number of rinks across the state offering accessible skating to those with disabilities through the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation.
The Massachusetts state website added that the Henry J. Fitzpatrick Rink has eight adult sleds, five handles to push ice sleds and six walkers available to use for those with accessibility needs.
The Fitzpatrick Arena is operated as a public-private partnership between the state DCR alongside Facility Management Corporation (FMC) Ice Sports.
The facility offers $6 public skating admission for all, as well as $6 for skate rentals, according to FMC Ice Sports and has amenities such as a snack bar and facilities for birthday parties, in addition to services such as skate sharpening.
The arena, located at 575 Maple Street in the city, is also home to Pioneer Valley Hockey Association, it added.
For public skating hours, FMC Ice Sports has a calendar for events at the arena.
Amelia Park Arena, Westfield
This arena serving the community of Westfield and the wider Pioneer Valley with over 50,000 annual visitors holds public ice skating that is “fun for families, dates, large groups and special events,” according to its website.
The skating rink also hosts themed events such as a Saturday, Dec. 17 “Skate with Santa” event from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and hosted its first ever “Haunted Rink” in addition to a costumed public skate back in October.
The arena has varied dates and times for when public skating is allocated, which can be referred to online. When public skating is held, one hour of skating costs $7 per adult for admission, while it is only $5 for children, senior citizens and military members, according to Amelia Park Arena.
For two-hour public skating is costs $10 per adult, $8 per child and $5 for senior citizens and military members, it added. Saturday night skates from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. cost $10 for adults and children, while the fee remains flat at $5 for those who have served in the military.
The arena added that skate rentals cost $4 per pair, but half sizes are not offered. Skate helpers are available at no added cost during public skating, but are not available for Saturday night skates.
Skaters can enjoy music played while they skate and warm clothing is recommended — and perhaps a properly fitted helmet for beginners — the arena said.
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Skate @ Canal District Kendall, Cambridge
This outdoor skating rink in the heart of Cambridge’s lively Kendall Square neighborhood is poised to reopen to the public for ice skating on Saturday, Dec. 3.
For those who wish to skate there is a one-day admission fee — valid all day — that costs $6 for adults, along with $4 for students and seniors, and only $1 for children age 13 and under, according to the rink’s website.
Skate rentals cost $10 for adults and $6 for children age 13 and under, along with locker rentals available for $2 and skate sharpening available for $10, it added.
The rink is open daily starting at noon on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends, according to its website. It closes at 5 p.m. on Mondays, 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Season passes are also available at $90 for adults, $55 for students and seniors and $20 for children age 13 and under, with reduced rates for those who wish to purchase a season admission valid to skate from noon until 3 p.m. on weekdays, according to Skate @ Canal District Kendall.
Individual season skate rentals, family season admission and family season skate rentals are also available.
The rink also has other attractions such as a free holiday skate show on Saturday, Dec. 10 and a winter boutique and artisan market from Dec. 3 to Dec. 4., it said.
The Rink at 401 Park, Fenway, Boston
If you’re looking for a fun afternoon or night out with friends or family in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, The Rink, presented by REI Boston, is back for its third season, according to The Fenway.
Opened on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 401 Park Drive, located beside the Time Out Market and Trillium Brewing - Fenway, this rink “adds activity and entertainment to our already bustling neighborhood,” The Fenway said.
Those who wish to skate at the rink can buy tickets online in advance to get the skate time they desire.
The rink is open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday as well as 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays, according to its website.
The rink asks skaters to stay on the ice for no longer than about one hour to ensure all ticket buyers have the chance to skate. Skaters of all ages are welcome, but for those under age 18 a parent or guardian is required to monitor skating for the minor.
Skate rentals are available from size 4 youth to size 15 adult and can be rented for $7 separate from admission, according to The Rink at 401 Park. Tickets start at $10 for adults, $6 for children age 12 and under and $6 for students from local universities with valid ID, according to the rink’s website.
The Boston Common Frog Pond
Perhaps one of the best known places to ice skate in the Bay State, the Frog Pond in Boston Common is open daily for those looking to get some laps in.
General hours for ice skating start each day of the week at 10 a.m. and go until 9 p.m. on weeknights or 10 p.m. on weekend nights daily — with the exception of Mondays, according to the Frog Pond’s website.
The pond is also open for skating on certain holidays with more limited hours such as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, but is closed on Christmas Day, it added.
Various forms of payment are accepted including different types of credit and debit cards and pay by smart phone.
Prices for admission are based upon height, according to the Frog Pond’s website, with those 58-inches and over charged $8, whereas those under can enter for free.
Skates can be rented for adults for $15 and for children for $10, it added, including tax. Skate sizes range from 8T to men’s 15. Skate sharpening is also available for $12 per pair. Children learning to skate can rent a skating aid for $18 per hour.
During the winter the Frog Pond also features concessions and a warming area, according to the City of Boston. Ice skating runs through until March.
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