Jacksonville Gets Its First Outdoor Ice Skating Rink — Holiday Fun Is Coming Downtown ⛸️🎄

If you ever wished Jacksonville had a little winter magic without all the frostbite, here you go. Downtown is getting its first-ever outdoor ice skating rink, and it opens this Friday at the Artist Walk Skatepark near the Riverside Arts Market. It’s called JAX Artist Walk on Ice, and it’s bringing a whole new holiday vibe to the River City.

This seasonal rink will run from November 28 through January 19, giving you plenty of time to make it a new tradition. Hours run into the evenings on weekdays, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s an easy downtown outing whether you’re planning a date night, a family trip, or a “Florida meets winter wonderland” moment for your Instagram.

Admission is $17 and includes skates plus about 75 minutes on the ice. Mondays are “Cheapskate Nights” with $10 admission, and there are several weeknight discounts for military, first responders, college students, and early birds who skate between 4 and 5 p.m. If you want the most festive experience, check out the “Skating & Santa” nights happening throughout December, or the game-day themed “Swag Nights.”

Honestly, this one feels like a big win for downtown. Jacksonville has been stacking up new events, upgrades, and fresh experiences, and this rink brings something fun for both locals and visitors. It’s the kind of addition that brings people together and keeps downtown buzzing — which is always a good sign for the area’s growth and energy.

If you’re planning to go, my quick tips: hit Monday nights for a deal, go early on weekends to avoid long lines, and check the special event calendar if you want photos with Santa. And as always, parking downtown fills quickly when something cool is happening, so arriving a little early never hurts.

I’ll be sharing more fun things happening around Northeast Florida all season long. If you end up skating, let me know how it goes — I might see you out there trying not to fall!