Editor’s note: This story has been updated with dates and details for the 2019-2020 season.
Pull on that knitted cap and leg warmers and step out on the ice for a holiday spin. Here are 12 top spots for gliding around and tips for special events on the ice.
Allen Community Ice Rink
Drop by the full-size indoor ice rink for a Holiday Skate on Dec. 21 with ice games and pictures with Santa and other holiday characters. Admission to Holiday Skate is $5 plus skate rental. Or, enjoy complimentary skate rental with the donation of two non-perishable food items. Public skating sessions are offered year-round at the Allen rink (see monthly calendar on the website for days and times). During the holidays, there will be open skating daily from Dec. 23-31, except on Christmas.
Holiday skating through Dec. 31 (except Christmas Day), check here for dates and times. Holiday Skate on Dec. 21, 1 to 4 p.m. at 200 E. Stacy Road, Allen. $5 admission, $3 skate rental. cityofallen.org
Forney on Ice
The skating is sure to be sweet at this Candy Land-themed rink at Forney Community Park. The outdoor rink will be open daily, Dec. 6-Jan. 5.
Dec. 6-Jan. 5, daily (except Christmas Day), check here for dates and times. Forney Community Park, 241 South FM 548, Forney. $10 weekdays, $12 weekends; admission includes skate rental. forneytx.gov/759/forney-on-ice
Galleria Dallas
Enjoy a holiday skate around the 95-foot-tall lighted tree. After the Nov. 29 Grand Tree Lighting and Holiday Skate Show featuring Olympic champion Patrick Chan, the indoor rink is open daily (except on Christmas). For extra fun, plan your time on the ice to coincide with the daily Illumination Celebration light show synchronized to holiday tunes. Light shows take place Nov. 29-Dec. 24 at 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. (no 8 p.m. show on Sundays). Note: Christmas tree removal is set for Jan. 7.
Holiday skating Nov. 29-Jan. 12, daily (except Christmas Day and Jan. 7), hours vary, check here for details. Galleria Dallas, 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas. $12 admission, $3 skate rental. galleriaiceskatingcenter.com
Gaylord Texan
Visit the Grapevine resort hotel for holiday skating day or night on a 6,000-square-foot rink located outside the Gaylord Convention Center. Skating can be bundled with other holiday attractions at the Gaylord Texan such as ICE! - A Charlie Brown Christmas, snow tubing and Santa’s Snow Throw.
Daily through Jan. 5, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (closing times may vary on certain days). Gaylord Texan, 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine. $17.99, includes skate rental. gaylordtexantickets.com
Panther Island Ice
Located at the Coyote Drive-In in Fort Worth, Panther Island Ice offers skating seven days a week through Jan. 20, including holidays. Snacks and drinks are available to purchase from the Coyote Canteen. In addition to a military discount, the rink offers half-price admission on Tuesdays and a $2 discount on Wednesdays with the donation of two canned goods to the Tarrant Area Food Bank.
Nov. 22-Jan. 20, times vary, check here for details. Panther Island Ice, 223 NE 4th St., Fort Worth. $13, includes skate rental. pantherislandice.com
Skate the Square
Go for a spin on Frisco Square’s real-ice rink, one of the fun events during Christmas in the Square holiday lights fest. The outdoor rink will be open daily, weather permitting.
Nov. 29-Jan. 6, daily (except Christmas Day), times vary, check here for details. Frisco Square, corner of Main and Coleman St., Frisco. $12, includes skate rental. friscosquare.com/ice-rink
Skate With Santa
Santa will be on the ice at the Richardson StarCenter for a special holiday skate on Dec. 21. Visit StarCenter locations in Euless, Farmers Branch, Frisco (see below), Mansfield, McKinney and Plano for more holiday events and public skating sessions.
Dec. 21, 12:45 to 2:45 p.m. at Children’s Health StarCenter, 522 Centennial Blvd., Richardson. $10 for ages 4 and older, free admission for ages 3 and younger; $5 skate rental. nhl.com/stars/starcenters
Skating Under the Stars
Glide on the ice with the sparkling lights of Santa’s Village as a backdrop at this outdoor rink located in front of the Farmers Branch StarCenter. The ice-skating attraction will be open Nov. 29-Jan 17 as part of Christmas in the Branch, which also includes a holiday marketplace on Saturdays, Dec. 7-21.
Nov. 29-Jan. 17, daily (except Christmas and New Year’s Day), times vary (check the website) at Children’s Health StarCenter, 12700 N. Stemmons Freeway (at I-635), Farmers Branch. $10 for ages 4 and older, free admission for children 3 and younger; $5 skate rental. discoverfarmersbranch.com.
Texas Christkindl Market
The European-inspired holiday market adds a new twist this year with the addition of a 5,000 square-foot skating rink. The rink is open daily, including holidays, from Nov. 29-Jan. 12. While there is a fee for skating, admission to Texas Christkindl is free so be sure to make time for holiday shopping, food, music and children’s activities.
Nov. 29-Jan. 12, daily, times vary, check here for details. Globe Life Field North Plaza (next to Texas Live!), 1650 E. Randol Mill Road, Arlington. $16, includes skate rental. txchristkindlmarket.com
Texas Motor Speedway Gift of Lights
As you drive through the Speedway’s holiday light display make a stop at Santa’s Village for a fun time on the infield rink. The skating fee is in addition to admission to Gift of Lights which is $30 per car or truck (more for larger vehicles). Proceeds from Gift of Lights benefit Speedway Children’s Charities and Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth.
Nov. 28-Jan. 5, daily from 6 to 10 p.m. at Texas Motor Speedway, 3545 Lone Star Circle, Fort Worth. $10, $5 for 15 and younger, includes skate rental. giftoflightstexas.com
Winter Wonderland at Comerica StarCenter
The Christmas tree will be at center ice and holiday inflatables will surround the rink during the Frisco hockey center’s Winter Wonderland, Dec. 23-31. These fun events are also scheduled:
· Visit with Santa on Dec. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m.
· Skate With Santa on Dec. 23 from 7 to 9 p.m.
· New Year’s Countdown party on Dec. 31 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Dec. 23-31, four two-hour sessions each day at 10 a.m., 1, 4 and 7 p.m. (10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas Day) at Comerica Center, 2601 Avenue of the Stars, Frisco. $12, $5 skate rental. nhl.com/stars/starcenters/frisco
Winter Wonderland at NYTEX
The NYTEX Centre will be decked out for holiday fun from Dec. 23-31, except on Christmas. The west rink will sparkle with twinkling lights and decorations and holiday tunes will play. Santa, Lone Star Brahmas mascot Bango and other costumed characters will drop in during the week.
Dec. 23-31 (except Christmas), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (until 3 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 31) at NYTEX Sports Centre, 8851 Ice House Drive, North Richland Hills. $15, includes skate rental. nytexsports.com/winter-wonderland
