Ice Skating Ribbon
Visitors glide along an outdoor ice skating course that winds through the park grounds. Skaters can bring their own gear or rent figure and hockey skates on site, with skate aids available for beginners. All participants must skate in the designated direction at the pace of the crowd, with resurfacing breaks scheduled between two-hour sessions.
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Plan Your Visit
Website / Tickets
When
Tickets
With skate rental: Monday–Thursday non-holiday, $17 online or $19 walkup; Friday–Sunday, holidays, and Holiday Season, $21 online or $23 walkup. Bring your own skates: Monday–Friday non-holiday, free for the 11am session only and $5 for all other sessions; Saturday, Sunday, holidays, and Holiday Season, free for the 8am session only and $5 for all other sessions. Walkup sales are only available if a session is not sold out. Skate aids are $11 and are first-come, first-served with no advance reservations. Lockers cost $3 small or $5 large for a three-hour rental.
Hours
Monday–Friday (non-holiday): 11am–1pm, 2pm–4pm, 5pm–7pm, 8pm–10pm; Saturday and Sunday: 8am–10am, 11am–1pm, 2pm–4pm, 5pm–7pm, 8pm–10pm. Thanksgiving (11/26): 8am–10am, 11am–1pm, 2pm–4pm. Christmas Eve (12/24) and Christmas Day (12/25): 8am–10am, 11am–1pm, 2pm–4pm. New Year’s Eve (12/31): 8am–10am, 11am–1pm, 2pm–4pm, 5pm–7pm.
Parking
Discounted parking information is available through the park’s parking link.
Accessibility
Skate assist sleds are available based on availability for skaters with physical disabilities and their companion skater.
Going?
Location
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and groups who enjoy outdoor skating
Vibe
Lively winter outing
Energy Level
High
Photo Friendly
Low
Weather Sensitivity
High
Tips & Advice
- Reserve a specific skating session when bookings for your preferred dates are released; sessions have limited capacity and there is no waitlist.
- Check your reservation’s date, session and skate-rental type before completing the booking, since changes must be made at least three days ahead.
- Bring your own skates if you want to use the designated free morning session; the session offered depends on the day and holiday schedule.
- Leave bags, phones, cameras and food off the ice, and leave strollers outside the Ribbon.
- Review the weather forecast before booking; the outdoor rink operates in winter weather, and management emails registered skaters if a session is cancelled.
Special Events & Promotions
- Bring-your-own-skates admission is free for the first weekday session Monday–Friday, and for the first session on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and during the Holiday Season.
- Thanksgiving has a reduced schedule of three sessions.
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day have a reduced schedule of three sessions each.
- New Year’s Eve has four sessions, ending earlier than the regular schedule.
- The season’s final day is March 7, 2027.
Links & Contact
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to reserve a skating session, and can I buy a ticket at the rink?
Each skater needs a ticket for a specific session. Walk-up sales are available only if that session’s ticket type has not sold out online; there is no waitlist.
What can I rent or use on the ice?
Figure and hockey skates are available to rent, and skate aids are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Only skaters may be on the ice.
Can I bring food, drinks or a stroller onto the Ribbon?
Eating and drinking are not allowed on the ice, and strollers are not allowed on the Ribbon.
What should I know about accessibility?
Skate-assist sleds are available for skaters with physical disabilities and a companion skater, subject to availability.
What happens if weather causes a cancellation?
The outdoor Ribbon operates through various weather conditions. If management cancels a reserved session, registered participants are notified by email and refunds are processed.
Browse Christmas in Chicago
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.