Break out your toe loops, axle jumps, and swizzles: it’s time to go ice skating in Big Spring Park! That’s right: Skating in the Park 2014 is officially open. And before you go to Skating in the Park 2014, here’s all the information you need to know.

Skating in the Park: Essential Info

Here’s all the essential Skating in the Park 2014 information.

Dates

Skating in the Park opens November 21, 2014 and is open seven days a week. Skating will close on ~~January 2, 2015.~~ Skating in the Park has been extended through Martin Luther King Day (January 19th)!

Open Dates: November 21, 2014 – ~~January 4, 2015~~ Skating in the Park has been extended through Martin Luther King Day (January 19th)!

Hours vary by day of the week. The weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas will have extended hours.

Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 4 pm – 10 pm
Friday: 4 pm – Midnight
Saturday: 10 am – Midnight
Sunday: Noon – 8 pm

Special Thanksgiving Week Hours:

Monday through Wednesday (Nov. 24-26): 10 am to 10 pm
Thanksgiving Day (Nov 27): 2 to 10 pm
Friday and Saturday (Nov. 28-29): 10 am to midnight
Sunday (Nov 30): noon to 8 pm

Special Christmas Break Hours:

Dec. 22 – Dec. 24: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Dec. 25: 3 to 8 p.m.
Dec. 26 & Dec. 27: 11 a.m. to midnight
Dec. 28: noon to 8 p.m.
Dec. 29 – Dec. 30: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Dec. 31: 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Jan. 1: noon to 10 p.m.
Jan. 2: 11 a.m. to midnight
Jan. 3: 10 a.m. to midnight
~~Jan. 4 (Closing Day):~~ noon to 8 p.m.

Martin Luther King Day Hours:

Monday Jan. 19th (LAST DAY): 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Rink Location

The skating rink is located in downtown Huntsville directly behind the Huntsville Museum of Art in Big Spring Park.

Costs

You’ll want to bring money for admission and skate rental. If you have your own ice skates, bring them and save $3. Make sure to bring some extra money for snacks and hot chocolate.

Admission:

$10: ages nine and up
$5: ages eight and under
$8: for groups of 10 or more

Your admission is good for the whole day, which means you can leave and come back the same day.

Skates:

Skate rental: $3
Scooter rental: $5

You can also bring your own skates free of charge. The skates available for rent are hockey skates. The smallest size available is toddler size 9 and goes up to adult size 13.

The skates available for rent are hockey skates. The smallest size available is toddler size 9 and goes up to adult size 13.

Forms of payment accepted:

Cash
Credit cards

Who Should Go

Everyone can enjoy Skating in the Park! There are benches beside the rink to rest or watch the icy fun from afar. For the younger family members, you can rent a green scooter for $5.

Skating in the Park: Tips

Special Events

Have even more fun at these special events:

November 21st from 3-5pm: Skating in the Park Opening Ceremony
December 4th from 6-8pm: 80’s skate night with Journey 93.3
December 8th from 1-10pm: Rocket City Mom Night
December 18th from 6-8pm: Tacky Sweater Night & Turkey Bowling with WZYP

Rocket Dogs

Another exciting addition to this year’s Skating in the Park is a new rink side snack bar featuring Rocket Dogs Food Truck and Ice Works Lemonade! They’ll be serving up tasty snacks like hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, soda, hot cocoa, coffee, and more. The perfect way to warm up.

What to Wear

Here are some tips for what to wear for the best skating experience:

Dress in Layers: No matter how cold it is outside, ice skating is exercise, which means you’ll heat up. So dress in layers. Preferably ones that you won’t mind the public seeing.
Coat: Top off your layered outfit with a coat. One you can move in
Gloves: Ice is cold so protect your hands with a nice pair of gloves. I’d recommend fleece or leather. Anything else will get soaking wet and even colder after a couple falls (not that I’m speaking from experience…)
Socks: Finish off your ensemble with a thick pair of socks.