Lace up your skates — winter is the perfect time for Seattle-area families to glide, spin, and giggle their way across the ice. You may be here looking for a festive holiday pop-up rink decked out in lights, or maybe you stumbled here searching for a dependable indoor arena where your kids can practice year-round. Either way, the Puget Sound region has plenty of places for beginners and seasoned skaters alike!
In this guide, you’ll find seasonal rinks that shine during the holidays, indoor arenas that operate all year, and helpful tips for families heading out for the first time. We’ve also organized everything by region so you can quickly spot the rinks closest to home. Grab your gloves — it’s time to hit the ice.
Seasonal & Pop-Up Ice Rinks (Nov-Jan)
If your family loves the sparkle of the holidays, seasonal pop-up rinks are where the magic happens. These limited-time spots often come with twinkling lights, special events, themed music, and plenty of photo ops. Because these rinks draw big crowds and have shorter operating windows, it’s smart to check schedules, book early when required, and bundle up for fluctuating weather. Here are the biggest and brightest pop-up rinks around Seattle, the Eastside, and the South Sound.
Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink
- When: November 13, 2026, through January 18, 2027. Various hours.
- Where: Bellevue Downtown Park, near NE 1st Street and 100th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
- Cost: Cheap Skate Mondays (November 16-December 14 and January 4-11): $12. Weekdays (Monday-Thursday, November 13-December 17 and January 4-18, excluding November 25, November 26 and January 18): $16. Weekends and holidays (Friday-Sunday, plus November 25, November 26 and January 18): $22. Winter Break (December 18-January 3): $24. Admission includes skate rental. Non-skaters do not pay admission. Season passes are $189 and available online.
Located at Bellevue Downtown Park, one block south of Bellevue Square near Inspiration Playground, the Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink presented by Symetra returns for the 2026-27 season. Admission includes skate rental, and non-skaters do not pay admission. Season passholders do not need reservations and can enter anytime during posted public hours. Season passes are non-transferable and non-refundable. For skating hours, promotions and ticket information, see the Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink website here.
(Image courtesy Bellevue Downtown Association)
Oly On Ice (Olympia)
- When: November 18, 2026, through January 18, 2027. Hours to be announced.
- Where: Isthmus Park, 529 4th Ave W, Olympia, WA 98501
- Cost: Check website for updated ticket prices for the 2026-27 season. Skate rental is included with admission. Spectators can watch for free.
Enjoy winter ice skating at this seasonal rink in downtown Olympia. The 5,000-square-foot rink welcomes skaters of all ages, although children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Occasional food vendors are available, and visitors may bring their own food to enjoy in the spectator area. Skate rentals are included with admission. For updated skating hours, ticket prices and special events, check the Oly On Ice website.
Oly On Ice is a popular holiday ice skating pop-up rink in Olympia. (Image courtesy City of Olympia)
Tulalip Lights & Ice
- When: Nov. 21, 2026, through Jan. 10, 2027. Opening lighting ceremony Nov. 21 at 4:30 p.m.
- Where: Tulalip Amphitheatre, 10400 34th Ave. NE, Tulalip, WA 98271
- Cost: Free admission to the light display. Ice skating and food cost extra. Check the official event website for updated 2026–2027 skating prices and tickets.
Tulalip Lights & Ice returns with more than 10 million sparkling lights throughout Quil Ceda Village. Families can wander through the free outdoor display, enjoy treats from local vendors or lace up their skates at the covered, real-ice skating rink. The celebration also includes visits from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, the Grinch and Buddy the Elf on select dates from Nov. 27 through Dec. 20, plus a holiday market Nov. 27–28. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult at the skating rink.
Ice Skating at Holiday Magic (Puyallup)
- When: Dec. 4–6, 11–13 and 18–23, 2026, 4:30–9:30 p.m. See the schedule.
- Where: Washington State Fair Event Center, 110 9th Ave. SW, Puyallup, WA 98371
- Cost: $10 online or $12 on-site, including skate rental. Holiday Magic admission is required and sold separately. Buy tickets online.
Glide around the Glice synthetic ice rink while holiday tunes play at the Washington State Fair’s Holiday Magic celebration. The rink uses real ice skates on a synthetic surface, so there’s no need to worry about soggy clothes after a tumble. Children must be at least 2 years old to skate, and those 12 and younger must be supervised by an adult. Penguin skating supports are available upon request, while supplies last. Space is limited, so book early.
Year-Round Indoor Ice Skating Rinks
Once the holidays wind down, the fun doesn’t have to stop. Seattle-area families can enjoy ice skating no matter the season thanks to a great lineup of indoor arenas offering public skate times, lessons for all ages, skate aids, and even themed events. These rinks are especially handy for rainy-day outings, birthday parties, and kids who want to build skills on the ice. Here’s where to find dependable, family-friendly skating all year long.
Angel of the Winds Arena (Everett)
- When: Open year-round, various days and hours. Check the calendar here.
- Where: Everett Community Ice Rink, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett, WA 98201
- Cost: General admission $13, plus $6 skate rental. Children 5 and under $8.50 (includes skate rental). Seniors and military personnel with ID $11 (includes skate rental).
Whether you’re a seasoned skater or stepping onto the ice for the first time, Everett Community Ice Rink offers public skating throughout the year. Skate aids are available for $6, and Learn to Skate lessons are offered for beginners. Check the calendar before visiting, as rink maintenance may affect public skating sessions.
Special events: Community Access Skate Night is held on the second Friday of each month, beginning at 5 p.m. Skating and skate rental are free, courtesy of Community Transit. Skate aids cost $6. Preregistration is required, walk-ins are not accepted, and registration does not guarantee admission. Youth 18 and younger can also ride Community Transit for free. Register and check event details here. For questions, call 425-322-2653.
Bremerton Ice Center
- When: Public skating is offered on various days and times. Check the calendar here.
- Where: Bremerton Ice Center, 1950 Homer Jones Drive, Bremerton, WA 98310
- Cost: General admission $13 plus tax, skate rental $5 plus tax. Children 3 and under receive free admission, but skate rental costs extra. Skates must be worn by everyone on the ice, including children using skate aids.
Skate aids cost $5 and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Skating lessons are available for children and adults, including introductory classes for ages 2½–3½. Cheap Skate sessions cost $13 plus tax, including skate rental, and Senior Skate admission is $10 plus tax, with rental extra. Friday Night Glow Skate sessions add music and colorful lighting to the fun. Dates, times and prices vary, so check the calendar and special events page before heading out.
Kent Valley Ice Centre
- When: Open year-round, various days and hours. Check the calendar here.
- Where: Kent Valley Ice Centre, 6015 S. 240th St., Kent, WA 98032
- Cost: General admission $18.18 for ages 4 and older, plus $6 skate rental. Children 3 and under receive free admission during eligible sessions, with skate rental extra, and must be accompanied by a parent. Prices may exclude tax.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skater, Kent Valley Ice Centre welcomes all skill levels to its public skating sessions. The rink features a sound system, blacklight skating sessions and more than 1,100 pairs of rental skates. Helmet rentals cost $3, and skate helpers/walkers cost $9.06. Skating lessons are available for children ages 4 and older, with some classes accepting independent 3-year-olds. Online reservations are recommended, although walk-ins are welcome when space is available. Check the schedule for special sessions and age restrictions.
Kraken Community Iceplex (Northgate)
- When: Open year-round, various days and hours, including selected lunch hours, evenings and weekends. Check the calendar here.
- Where: Kraken Community Iceplex, 10601 Fifth Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98125
- General admission $16.29 plus tax, skate rental $6.33 plus tax. Children 3 and under receive free admission. Skate aids cost $9.95 plus tax.
Bring your family and friends to skate at the Seattle Kraken’s training facility. All ages and experience levels are welcome, and helmets are strongly recommended. The rink offers themed skating events, skate-and-watch parties, sensory-friendly sessions and Tot Play Hour, featuring snow and toys on the ice. Tot Play Hour costs $14.95 plus tax per adult, with children 6 and under admitted free. Sensory-friendly sessions feature smaller crowds, softer lighting, reduced noise and access to a quiet room. Admission is $10.85 plus tax, with skate rental extra. Special activities are offered on selected dates, so check the public skating schedule before visiting. All participants need an active Dash account to register.
(Image courtesy Kraken Community Iceplex)
Lynnwood Ice Center
- When: Various days and hours. Check available public skating sessions and book online.
- Where: Lynnwood Ice Center, 19803 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood, WA 98036
- Cost: Check current prices and pay online.
Lynnwood Ice Center welcomes skaters of all skill levels to public skating sessions throughout the week. Rental skates are available in sizes ranging from toddler to men’s size 14. The rink offers skating lessons, hockey programs and a snack bar for refreshments. Public skating reservations and payments are handled online through FareHarbor; the front desk does not currently accept payments for these sessions. For questions, call 425-640-9999.
Sno-King Ice Arenas (Kirkland, Renton, Snoqualmie)
- When: Open year-round, various days and hours. Check public skating schedules and register here.
- Where: Kirkland, Renton and Snoqualmie
- Cost: Ages 3 and older, $15 with advance online registration or $18 for drop-in admission. Skate rental is $6. Skate walkers cost $10, and seal-shaped skating aids are available for $10 at Kirkland and Renton.
Whether your family is new to skating or already comfortable on the ice, Sno-King Ice Arenas offers public sessions for all experience levels at its three locations. Sessions generally last 60–120 minutes, depending on the schedule. Learn to Skate lessons are available for beginners. The arenas also offer special skating activities throughout the year. Check the public skating calendar for seasonal events and session availability. Advance online registration is required according to the rink’s published instructions, although it also lists a drop-in rate.
Sprinker Recreation Center (Tacoma)
- When: Open year-round, with public skating on various days and hours. Check the schedule here.
- Where: Sprinker Recreation Center, 521 Military Road S., Tacoma, WA 98444
- Cost: Adults $10, youth ages 6–17 $9, seniors ages 62 and older $8, and children 5 and younger $5.50 (includes skate rental). Skate rental for other ages is $5. Ice walkers cost $6. Select weekday morning and special Cheapskate sessions cost $8.
Sprinker Recreation Center’s indoor ice arena features an NHL-regulation ice surface and offers public skating, hockey, figure skating, broomball and Learn to Skate classes. Families can also try ice bumper cars, which cost $12 per person for a 15-minute ride following a safety briefing. Skate aids are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Vending machines offer snacks and drinks, and spectators can watch public skating sessions for free.
Holiday event: Ice Lights returns Dec. 1, 2026, through Jan. 1, 2027, transforming the indoor rink with more than 35,000 twinkling lights, animated displays, falling snow effects and a giant illuminated tree. Ice bumper car reservations cost $12 per person, and advance booking is recommended.
Tacoma Twin Rinks
- When: Public skating is offered on limited dates and times. The previously listed Friday 10 p.m. and Sunday 3 p.m. sessions have not been independently confirmed for 2026. Check the current ice schedule and drop-in sessions.
- Where: Tacoma Twin Rinks, 2645 S. 80th St., Tacoma, WA 98409
- Cost: Check costs, availability and booking information.
Tacoma Twin Rinks is primarily focused on hockey, figure skating and skating instruction, with limited public skating opportunities. The facility offers youth and adult hockey programs, a figure skating club and Learn to Skate classes. Families can also check the rink’s schedule for hockey games and other ice activities. Confirm public skating times and admission details before visiting.
Best Ice Skating for First-Time Kids
If you’ve got a brand-new skater in the family, choosing the right rink can make those early glides much more fun — and far less stressful. Some rinks offer skate aids, toddler-specific sessions, quieter hours, or beginner lessons that help kids feel more stable on the ice. These spots are especially accommodating for wobbly legs, preschoolers, or any child trying skating for the first time.
Rinks with Skate Aids or Walkers
- Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink – Limited skate aids available on a first-come basis.
- Oly on Ice (Olympia) – Skate aids available for $6; great for young kids.
- Kent Valley Ice Centre – Walkers available for rent for $8
- Sprinker Recreation Center (Tacoma) – Ice Walkers available for $5; rink offers a range of ability-level programs.
- Kraken Community Iceplex – Skate aids available for $10; also offers toddler hour and sensory sessions.
Rinks with Beginner or Toddler Lessons
- Angel of the Winds Arena (Everett) – Learn-to-Skate programs start at age 3.
- Bremerton Ice Center – Lessons available ages 2.5 and up.
- Sno-King Ice Arenas – Lessons for ages 3+ across three regional locations.
- Kraken Community Iceplex – Strong beginner program with structured age levels.
Best Tips for First-Time Skaters
- Dress in warm layers that allow movement.
- Gloves and helmets are helpful, even if not required.
- Arrive early so kids can get comfortable in their skates.
- Start slow and stick near the wall until they gain confidence
- Consider weekday or morning sessions for lighter crowds.
More Winter Fun for Families
If ice skating has your kids eager for more winter adventures, you’re in luck — Washington is packed with kid-friendly activities that celebrate the season. From sledding hills to cozy nighttime ski runs, these guides help families find outdoor fun without the guesswork. Each one includes tips, parking details, and what to know before you go.
- Sledding and Tubing Guides. Washington offers great places to slide, glide, and laugh your way through snowy hills. Our sledding and tubing guides include:
- Kid-Friendly Ski Resorts. Introducing kids to skiing or snowboarding is easier when the mountain is built for families. Our resort roundups feature:
- Night Skiing. Night skiing is a magical way to extend the day — and an especially fun adventure for older kids and teens. Our guide highlights:
- Guided Snowshoeing. For families wanting slow-paced winter exploration, guided snowshoeing is an accessible, educational, and peaceful option.
