20 Boston Ice Skating Rinks for Winter 2024-2025

When snow and winter weather turn the city into a sparkling white paradise, chase away the cold by ice skating at Boston's best ice rinks offering public access.  This special winter activity gives you the perfect opportunity to enjoy exercise, fun, and of course, steaming cups of hot chocolate. 

Even on warmer-temperature days, you can continue to skate thanks to refrigeration systems under the ice and surface-smoothing zambonis. 

Boston and Cambridge normally offer three excellent outdoor public ice skating rinks with plenty of available time slots, including the famous Frog Pond rink on Boston Common, The Rink in Fenway, and Community Ice Skating in Kendall Square.  (Unfortunately, Community Ice Skating will be closed for the 2024-25 season). 

If you don't mind going further afield, a newly-designed skating path at Patriot Place and rinks at Worcester Common Oval and Worcester Ice Center also offer lots of availability for public skating.

In addition, you can also take advantage of public skating time slots at indoor ice rinks located in professional sports training facilities such as the Bruins' Warrior Ice Arena in Boston Landing in Cambridge, Kirrane Rink at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline, and Skating Club of Boston (which, despite its name, calls Norwood "home."

Finally, you can also find reasonably generous public access time slots at the mostly-indoor ice rinks built by DCR (Department of Conservation and Recreation) in a number of Boston neighborhoods and nearby communities.  You can skate for free at the rinks managed by DCR, but at those managed by private groups, you'll usually have to pay a fee.

Bring your own skates to the rinks if you want (some rinks even offer skate sharpening services).  But most rinks also offer skate rentals for a small fee, which means you can indulge in this favorite Boston winter activity on the spur of the moment.

In this article, you'll find all the details about the 20 best places to ice skate in Boston (and nearby) in three categories:

• Public ice skating rinks in and near Boston
• Professional ice rinks offering public access hours
• DCR, other community-based ice rinks, and college rinks offering limited public access

Get ready to love winter in Boston!

Top photo: Ice rink on Frog Pond near Beacon Hill; Photo: copyright Boston Discovery Guide

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Public Ice Skating Rinks in & near Boston

1.  Ice Skating at Boston Common's Frog Pond 2024

From late November through early March, Frog Pond on Boston Common transforms into a magical sheet of ice in the middle of the city, with an on-site zamboni keeping it smooth on approximately an hourly basis during skating season. 

In case you're wondering, Frog Pond is no longer an actual pond but instead, it is a shallow concrete-lined pool with a depth of about 6 inches.  

The ice rink's convenient location on the Common in the heart of the city means that you can walk to it from most parts of Downtown, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and the South End.  From other areas, you can easily reach it on the T (Boston's subway).

With picturesque Beacon Hill in the background and lively music broadcast through speakers, skating on Frog Pond is one of the things that makes Boston so much fun in the winter. 

Bring your own skates, or rent them at the rink for a reasonable fee. 

For a special experience, come during the holiday season when the Common's many trees sport colorful lights that turn ice skating at night a magical experience.

Frog Pond Amenities

• Hot chocolate, coffee, and other treats at the Frog Pond Pavilion snack bar
• Bobby Seals - Don't know how to skate?  Rent a Bobby Seal, hang on to it as you glide across the ice, and you'll be able to skate on your own faster than you might expect

Frog Pond Essential Information for 2024

Cost:  $10 if you are 58 inches or taller; free if you are under 58 inches 

Open:   Usually from late November (check Boston Event calendar for November for exact date) through early March - may vary by a week or two based on weather 

Regular hours: 
- Monday, 10am to 3:45pm
- Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 9pm
- Friday and Saturday, 10am to 10pm
- Sunday, 10am to 9pm

Skate rental:  Adults $15; children 13 and under are $10; locker rentals are $7
Skate Sharpening:  $12/pair
Bobby the Skating Seal: $18 hour
Nearest T station: Red and Green Line/Park
Parking:  Boston Common Garage. 

More information:  Boston Common Frog Pond website

More to Know about Ice Skating on Boston's Frog Pond

If you want to learn how to skate or improve your skills, you can sign up for skating lessons through the Skating Club of Boston's highly-rated Skating Academy.

Frog Pond does get fairly crowded at times - especially on sunny weekend afternoons.  To avoid the biggest crowds, arrive earlier in the day, or late afternoon as the sun begins to set.

By contrast, Boston school holidays typically draw fewer crowds than you might expect, as a lot of Bostonians leave the city to go skiing or go farther away to escape the cold.

Where to Stay near the Frog Pond Skating Rink on Boston Common

If you're visiting Boston and you want to skate on the ice at Frog Pond while you're here, stay at one of these nearby hotels, which are all within a 5-minute walk of the rink:

• The Newbury (1 Newbury Street)
• Hilton Boston Park Plaza (50 Park Plaza)
• Ritz-Carlton (10 Avery Street)
• Beacon Hill Hotel (25 Charles Street)
• Hotel AKA Boston Common (90 Tremont Street)
• Godfrey Hotel Boston (505 Washington Street)

2.  Skate @ Canal District Kendall in Cambridge 2024

You'll find Skate @ Canal District Kendall's ice rink in the heart of Kendall Square's Canal District (where you can also go kayaking in the summer), just across the Charles River from Boston. 

A zamboni maintains this seasonal outdoor rink, where you can get either 1-day admission tickets or seasonal passes..  Skate rentals, skate sharpening, and locker rental are also available onsite.

For after-skating food and beverages, head to any of the numerous cafes, restaurants, and bars in this trendy part of Kendall Square - you really can't go wrong with any of food and beverage choices here. 

The outdoor Kendall rink is only a block from the edge of the campus of Cambridge's renowned MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) - so if you're at MIT for an interview or campus tour during the winter, stop by for some stress-relieving ice skating. 

The rink's free Holiday on Ice Show for this year is scheduled for December 14 (rain date: December 15).

Boston is only 5 minutes away by T.  Although you can walk across the Longfellow Bridge (which takes maybe 10 minutes, tops) for scenic views of the Charles River, you'll probably be happier if you take the T on days with low temperatures and wind, as the wind-chill factor on the bridge can feel intense.

Where to Stay near Kendall's Canal District Ice Skating Rink

If you're visiting Cambridge and want to spend time on the ice while you're here, here are the closest hotels to the rink, all located within a 5-minute walk:

• Kendall Hotel (350 Main Street, located in a very cool repurposed fire station)
• Boston Marriott Cambridge (2 Cambridge Center/50 Broadway)
• Residence Inn by Boston Marriott Cambridge (6 Cambridge Center)

Skate @ Canal District Kendall Ice Skating Rink Essentials 2024

Open: Early December to mid March, weather permitting.  This year, the opening date is expected to be December 1, if the weather cooperates
Schedule:  Monday and Tuesday: noon - 5pm; Wednesday and Thursday: noon - 8pm; Friday: noon-9pm; Saturday: 11am-9pm; Sunday: 11am-6pm

Address:  300 Athenaeum Street (just off 3rd Street); Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA
Parking:  350 Kendall Street Garage; the rink will validate parking so that you'll get discount rates on Saturdays and Sundays, and when you enter the garage after 4pm, Monday-Friday; otherwise, regular rates apply; currently, the discounted rates are $2/hour for the first 3 hours, which is a huge bargain for this part of Cambridge

Admission cost, skate rentals, onsite skating lessons, and season pass purchase:  Check their website  (Tip: Costs and rental fees here are among the lowest in the Boston area)

Nearest T station: Red Line/Kendall-MIT.  About a 4-5 minute walk to the rink

Tip:  If the weather isn't good (sleet, rain, strong wind, heavy snow, too-warm temperature), check the website to make sure the rink is open. 

3.  Ice Skating in Fenway at The Rink @ 401 Park 2024

The Rink, the 6,000 square foot ice skating rink located between at 401 Park between Time Out Market and Trillium Fenway normally opens for the season in early November.

Please note:  Sadly, The Rink won't be open for the 2024 - 2025 season, but is expected to return next year.  We're leaving the information for this popular venue in place in case you're planning ahead for next year.

With public skating, private lessons, and fun events including live music and theme nights, Time Out Market is one of Boston's most popular places to skate and socialize. 

Once you finish skating, head into Time Out Market or Trillium for a hot chocolate, frosty beverage, and a tasty snack or meal from one of the tempting food vendors.

You can rent skates at the rink, but if you want to buy your own pair, just head into REI at 401 Park by the rink for an expert fitting.  REI also offers skate sharpening service.  If you're an REI member (REI is a co-op), the Boston location will sharpen your skates for free.

The Rink also offers trainer devices for new skaters for free on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Rink is open from 3pm-9pm Monday - Friday, 11am-10pm on Saturday, and 11am-8pm on Sunday.

Tickets:  Purchase timed entry tickets online, or take your changes and buy in person at the rink (quantities are limited)

Nearest T Station:  Fenway
Parking: Once you arrive at Time Out Market (401 Park Drive) just follow the signs into the onsite parking garage.

4.  Winter Skate in Patriot Place by Gillette Stadium 2024

The newly renovated outdoor rink at Patriot Place next to Gillette Stadium, has reopened for the 2024-2025 season in a new, spacious location and even more exciting, has now become a skating path!

DJ Nights on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6-10 pm through early January add to the fun!

"Trainers" (supportive devices) for new skaters are usually available for 10-minute time slots.

Although reservations are not required, you can avoid a long wait in line by reserving a date and time slot online.

Location:  2 Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA

Parking:  Lot 14A and Lot 20

Open: Monday - Thursday 4pm - 9pm, Friday 4pm - 10pm, Saturday & all school holidays, 11am - 10pm, Sunday 11am - 9pm
More Information

Cost to skate: $12 adults; $8 children 12 and younger, 65+, active military
Skate rental:  $6

5 & 6.  Ice Skating in Worcester: 2 Options

If you happen to be in Worcester (about 45 minutes west of Boston), you'll find two good choices for ice skating:  a huge outdoor rink on Worcester Common devoted to public skating, and an even bigger indoor rink at the Worcester Ice Center with occasional public access.

The Oval on Worcester Common

On a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday afternoon, head to The Oval on historical Worcester Common for a spin around the ice at the enormous outdoor rink.

At 12,000 square feet, this rink gives you 4,000 square feet more skating space than the famous Rockefeller Center rink in New York City.  The same management team in charge of Worcester's DCU Center manages this rink to the same professional standards.

If you have disabilities or are just learning to skate, you can use adaptive skating equipment free of charge or a "Bobby the Seal" skating aid (for children only, as weight restrictions apply) for a small hourly fee, based on availability. 

The rink also hosts a number of special events as well as occasional days when you can skate for free.

Hungry after skating around the rink?  A food truck parked nearby serves up lunch, snacks, and beverages including hot chocolate and coffee.

Location:  455 Main Street (right behind Worcester City Hall), Worcester
Parking:  You can park for free in the city Hall underground garage next to The Oval when spots are available.  The area offers plenty of other affordable parking nearby, including the Worcester Common underground garage (2 Eaton Place).

Open: Friday, 5pm-9pm, Saturday and Sunday, 1pm-6pm, from late November through mid-March, with additional weekday hours during the winter school vacation break and occasionally at other times. 
Check hours and special events
Cost to skate: $6; children 5 and younger skate for free
Skate rental:  $6 (skating is free)

Worcester Ice Center

For an indoor ice skating experience, check out Worcester Ice Center (112 Harding Street, Worcester, MA), a fairly new multi-use recreation center with two NHL regulation rinks, an onsite brewery and cafe, and occasional public skating hours (despite the local, university, and club teams that train here).

Unfortunately, "occasional" is the key word here - but if you can come during the limited public skating timeslots, you'll likely have a great experience on the ice and enjoy the low rates.

If the public access hours don't work for you, taking skating lessons or joining one of the clubs or leagues might be worth exploring in order to gain acess to the ice.  Check out the details including public hours and fees on their website.

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More Fun Activities in Boston

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Professional Ice Rinks Offering Community Access

7.  Skating at Warrior Ice Arena

The Warrior Ice Arena, located at Boston Landing in Cambridge, is best-known as the official practice and training facility for the Boston Bruins. 

With two NHL-sized ice rinks and state-of-the-art facilities, there's nothing else quite like it in the Boston area. 

What makes Warrior Ice Arena really special, though, is the access it provides to the community, including public skating, learn-to-skate programs for all ages (including toddlers), and even hockey leagues for teens and adults.  Summer camps, tournaments, and special events such as birthday parties provide even more opportunities to enjoy the ice.

In addition, Warrior Ice Arena offers two unique activities that make it stand out among Boston ice skating rinks:

• Boston Bruins sessions on the ice open to the public on many Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings from 10-11:50am, where you can see your favorite players in action
• Rock 'n Skate Friday public skating sessions (tickets required) at 9pm on most Friday nights featuring a DJ spinning your favorite rock classics

Dates, times, and costs vary by event, so check out the full schedule on the Warrior Ice Arena's website.  Schedules are always subject to change.

Other Amenities

• Skate rentals and skate sharpening
• Two concession areas serving healthy food and snacks

Warrior Ice Rink Location Information

Address:  90 Guest Street, Brighton, Boston
Open:  All year

Nearest train station:  Boston Landing Station by the arena (Framingham/Worcester Line); numerous bus lines also provide service to Boston and Cambridge

8.  Ice Skating at Kirrane Rink in Brookline

Kirrane Rink, an outdoor ice rink at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline, offers almost 30 hours of public skating each week as well as skating lessons from Baystate Skating School.  Drop-in hockey sessions give adults (18+) an opportunity to play on the ice.

An ice sled is available for anyone who needs it.

You'll also find a heated pavilion with a snack bar, figure and hockey skates rentals, and skate sharpening. 

Kirrane Rink Cost & Location Information

Cost:  $7 for Brookline residents, $9 for non-residents; $10 drop-in hockey (adults 18+)
Skate rentals: $7
Skate sharpening: $10
Open:  Early - early March (or end of February) - Opening day for 2024 is weather-dependent but is expected to be December 9

Hours:  Check the Brookline Recreation website

Address:  25 Newton Street, Brookline
Public Transportation: None, but parking is available onsite

9.  Skating Club of Boston in Norwood

The Skating Club of Boston (now located in a new facility in Norwood after moving from its long-time location in West Cambridge) is the third-oldest skating club in the country and is renowned for its figure skating programs including lessons for toddlers through adults at all skill levels.

Although it usually offers about 4 hours of public skating each week for adults and 2 hours for children on its indoor ice rink, excluding a number of blackout dates for private and other events.  You can check the schedule and prices on their website.  If you're a Norwood resident, look for the 50% price discount.

Because of its limited amount of public access, this rink is probably not your best bet - but for lessons, it can't be beat.  (My own daughters took lessons at the former Cambridge location for several years when they were younger and loved their experiences.)

Address: 750 University Avenue, Norwood; no public transportation nearby but there's onsite parking

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Top DCR Rinks Offering Limited Community Access - 2024-25

Please note:  Most DCR Ice Rinks open for public skating this year on Black Friday, November 29, and remain open through April 13, 2025. (For school teams, they open in early September and close on April 13.)  Steriti Memorial Rink is a major exception this year, as it will close to the public between March 17-31, 2025.

You should expect big crowds of enthusiastic skaters on the eagerly-awaited opening day.

Almost every neighborhood in Boston sports an ice rink owned and/or managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). 

Although public skating hours tend to be limited, you can't beat the value offered by these rinks.  Skating is free and skate rentals are cheap at those rinks managed by DCR, and reasonable at the others. 

Public skating hours range from skimpy to generous.  We provide ballpark estimates of weekly ice availability in the sections below.  Please know that actual time on the ice is somewhat less, due to 10-20 minutes closure for periodic ice grooming, usually every hour or two.

Most of these ice rinks provide additional public skating hours during school vacation weeks and on some holidays.  Also, all rinks close on Christmas Day, while some close completely or earlier or later than usual on other holidays while others stay open.  All rinks close at 4pm on Super Bowl Sunday.

Check the main DCR website to find rinks beyond Boston, and check each rink's website (provided below) to get the details.

Here are five of the best and most popular DCR rinks in and near Boston:

10.  Steriti Memorial Ice Rink in Boston's North End

The Steriti Ice Rink in Boston's North End is sort of an Insider's Secret:  It's an easy walk from North Station, open to the public from late November until mid-April, offers lovely (limited) views of the Harbor and Charlestown, and skating is free!

The catch?  The Steriti is heavily used by ice skating by Boston and North End teams and public skating hours are somewhat limited.  But looking at the positives, the daily public hours here (about 26/week) are a lot more generous than at most other DCR and community-based rinks, and you can't beat the location.

Plus, hockey fans will appreciate the couple of hours each week dedicated to public stick time.

If the hours happen to work with your schedule, you'll love the friendly vibe at this large, well-maintained rink, one of the 41 rinks throughout the state overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

Steriti Rink's indoor location offers a big advantage when outdoor conditions aren't perfect for ice skating. 

Amenities

• Spectacular waterfront views across to Charlestown and East Boston.
• Limited snack bar (but who cares?  You're in the North End, with plenty of fabulous bakery/coffee shops on nearby Hanover Street.)

Getting There

Location:  561 Commercial Street, North End, Boston
Open: Daily, late November through mid-March
Cost to skate: Free
Skate rental:  $6 (skating is free)

Nearest T station: Orange and Green Lines/North Station
Public skating hours:   Steriti website

11.  Daly Rink in Newton 2024

The Daly Ice Rink in Newton provides 14 hours of public ice skating from Saturday through Thursday every week, plus occasional Fridays.  A zamboni grooms the ice on a daily basis.

The Massachusetts Metropolitan District Commission (MCD) built the Daly Rink around 60 years ago, and it is is now owned by DCR and privately managed by the Newton Country Day School. 

Locals consider this to be one of the best rinks in the area, partly because of its accessibility to the public, as well as the free onsite parking.  You'll get nice views of the adjacent Charles River from the parking lot.

Location:  1 Nonantum Road, Newton
Open:   6-7 days each week from late September through late April
Cost to skate:   $7 adults, $6 children; you can also get an individual or family season pass, and skate sharpening ($12 for pro-quality Maximum Edge sharpening) is also available
Skate rental:  $8

Please note:  Daly rink is cashless - so bring a credit card, or have the Apple Pay or G Pay app.

Public skating schedule:   Daly Rink website

12.  Kelly Outdoor Ice Skating Rink in Jamaica Plain 2024

The Kelly Rink's outdoor location behind the Stony Brook T station in Jamaica Plain makes it easy to reach without a car, although some free parking is available onsite in addition to street parking. 

The public skating season here is a short 3 months since this is an outdoor rink, but Kelly Rink makes up for it by offering a generous quantity of public skating hours each week - 7.5 hours every day except Saturday, with a still-generous 6.5 public hours.

Onsite USFSA-sanctioned skating lessons for youths and adults are also available.

Kelly Rink dates back only to 1999, when DCR built it to replace older rinks torn down in Jamaica Plain and next-door neighbor Roxbury, which left both communities with no public outdoor recreational facilities. 

However, DCR built only a rink - no ice skate rental facility.  As a result, a local organization called The Friends of the Kelly Rink took on the responsibilities of rentals, and thanks to sustained fund-raising and generous donations, The Friends keep skate rental fees to the lowest (that we know of) in the Boston area.

DCR renovated and expanded the facilities in 2010.

Cost to skate:   Free
Skate rental:  $3

Nearest T station:  Green Line/Stony Brook
Public skating schedule:  Kelly Rink website

Location:  1 Marbury Terrace, Jamaica Plain
Open:   Daily, from mid-December through early-to-mid March (weather permitting)

13.  Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial DCR Rink in Charlestown

You won't find a lot of public skating hours at the O'Neil Memorial Rink in Boston's Charlestown neighborhood (12 hours/week, according to our calculations), but this DCR rinks is only about 3 blocks on the other side the Zakim Bridge from Boston's West End - a quick and easy walk.

Once you reach the end of your allotted time on the ice, walk a couple more blocks to the Warren Tavern, one of Boston's historical taverns and treat yourself to a tasty brew or meal.

Cost to skate:   Free
Skate rental:  Not available (as far as we are aware)

Nearest T station: Orange and Green Lines/North Station
Public skating schedule:   Check Daly Rink website

Location:  46 Union Street, Charlestown
Open:   Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, plus public stick time on Wednesdays, from late November through mid-April
Website

14.  Porrazzo DCR Rink in East Boston

Porrazzo Rink in East Boston offers only about 10 public access hours each week due to its heavy commitment to community ice skating and hockey programs, but the well-maintained facilities overseen by a private management group make it a popular hub for recreational skaters as well as those looking to improve their skills.

In addition to public access, the rink offers a variety of skating programs catering to different age groups and skill levels.  Amenities such as a snack bar, skate rentals, Wi-Fi, and skate sharpening services add to the rink's appeal.

The arena also boasts a history of hosting notable figures, including Boston Bruins players, which adds to its appeal for hockey fans.

Cost to skate:  $7
Skate rental: $7

Public access hours & other information:  Website

Location:  199 Coleridge Street, East Boston (next to Constitution Beach)
Nearest T Station:   Blue Line/Orient Heights (about a 10-minute walk)

Other DCR Ice Skating Rinks Managed by DCR

For public access hours and other information about these ice skating rinks, check the DCR website.  Since these are DCR-managed rinks, you can skate for free.

15.  Reilly Memorial Rink in Brighton

Offers about 10 hours of public skating access and 2 hours of public stick time, with skate rentals available on weekends only

Location:  355 Chestnut Hill Avenue, Brighton

16.  Murphy Memorial Ice Rink in Southie

Murphy Memorial Rink offers a large rink with about 14 hours of public skating access, and a small rink with a generous 42 hours of public skating.

Location:  1880 William J Day Boulevard, South Boston

17.  Devine Memorial Rink in Dorchester

Offers about 12 hours of public skating access.

Location:  995 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester

18.  Bajko Memorial Rink in Hyde Park

Offers about 9 hours of public skating access.

Location:  75 Turtle Pond Parkway, Hyde Park

DCR Rinks Under Private Management

The following DCR rinks are privately operated, and you will pay a fee to access the ice.  Use this website to find schedule and cost information:

19.  Somerville Veterans Memorial Rink in Somerville

Offers about 16 hours of public skating access.

Cost to skate:  $5
Skate rental: $7
Location:  570 Somerville Ave, Somerville

20.  Jim Roche Community Arena in West Roxbury

Offers about 17 hours of public skating access, including an hour each week dedicated to seniors.  A couple of organizations offer skating and hockey lessons, and the arena is also home to a hockey camp.

Amenities include a snack bar, pro shop, and skate sharpening.

Cost to skate:  $7
Skate rental: $7
Public hockey: $12
Location:  1275 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury

21.  Simoni Memorial Rink in Cambridge

Offers about 12 hours of public skating access.

Amenities include a snack bar and skate sharpening.

Cost to skate:  $7
Skate rental: $7
Location:  155 Gore Street, Cambridge

Please note:  Although we do our best to keep cost information on this page up to date, costs may (and do) change at any time, so please consider the costs on this page as approximate rather than as exact.

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More to See & Do in Boston

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Fun Winter Activities in Boston