Fitness

Where to go ice skating outside around Boston this winter

Plan a day of affordable winter fun at these outdoor ice-skating rinks in the area.

Ice skating on the Boston Common Frog Pond. Courtesy

November 21, 2023

Lace up your skates because one of New England’s favorite winter traditions is back for the season: ice skating. Below, find out where you can ice skate outdoors in and around Boston this winter, from old favorites like the Frog Pond to newer traditions like the outdoor rink in Kendall Square.

Make a day of it with skating in Fenway and dinner or drinks at Time Out Market, or just hop on one of the free rinks like Stoneham Town Common or Kelly Outdoor Rink in JP. Read on for info about hours, admission prices, and skate rentals, along with opening dates. Most rinks will stay open until sometime in March, but, of course, that’ll be weather-dependent (as are some of the opening dates, too).

Boston Common Frog Pond

A Boston tradition for decades, skating at the Frog Pond on the Common returns this winter. Admission is $10 for skaters who are 4 feet 10 inches tall or taller and free for skaters under that height. Skate rentals are $15 for adults and $10 for children. The rink also offers skate sharpening for folks bringing their own skates at $12 per pair. The rink is open every day of the week starting at 10 a.m. Check the website for more detailed hours and the 2023 opening date.

Skate @ Canal District Kendall, 300 Athenaeum St., Cambridge

While the outdoor rink in Kendall Square opens in December, its official opening date is still TBD (and weather dependent). Located just off Third Street in Kendall’s Canal District, the rink offers both validated parking and season passes. Daily admission is $6 for adults, $4 for students, and $1 for children 13 and under, hockey and figure skate rentals are $10 for adults and $6 for children, and skate sharpening is $10.

Kirrane Skating Rink, 23 Newton St., Brookline

The outdoor skating rink in Brookline opens for the season on December 11 and offers public skating hours every day except Mondays and Wednesdays. Admission and skate rentals are both $7 each, and skate sharpening is $9. The rink also hosts adult drop-in hockey on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. Check the website for more scheduling details.

The Rink at 401 Park, 401 Park Drive, Boston

Back for its fifth year, the outdoor rink in Fenway near Time Out Market and Trillium opened for the season on November 19. Open every day of the week, the rink costs $6 to skate Monday through Wednesday, and from Thursday through Sunday, admission is bumped up to $12 per adult (but still $6 for kids). Book tickets in advance online or grab them in person. And, after skating, head across the street to the Fenway Tree Farm to pick up a tree, wreath, or garland.

Kelly Outdoor Rink, 1 Marbury Terrace, Jamaica Plain

Open this year from December 17 to mid-March, Kelly Outdoor Rink in Jamaica Plain hosts free, public skating from noon to 7:30 p.m. Sundays through Fridays, and from 1 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The rink is located right off the Stony Brook T stop. Skate rentals are unavailable.

The Rink at MarketStreet Lynnfield, 600 Market St., Lynnfield

Open now through February 25, the ice rink at MarketStreet Lynnfield is back for its 10th season. Admission is $12 while children age 3 and under are free, and skate rentals cost $5. Take a break from skating and warm up by the chiminea fire pits or the warming tent, and when you’re finished, check out the rest of MarketStreet’s shops and restaurants. The rink is open from 3 to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

Stoneham Ice Rink, 340 Main St., Stoneham

Located on Stoneham’s Town Common, this outdoor rink is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., weather permitting. The North Shore town is known for its ice skating heritage, sending five residents to the Olympics including figure skating medalist Nancy Kerrigan. Visitors must bring their own skates to this rink. The rink typically doesn’t open until January due to weather, so those interested should check the Facebook page for updates.