Ice Village, the first-ever outdoor ice rink in the neighborhood, is officially open and has transformed the heart of Rice Village into a sparkling holiday escape through January 4.

Presented by Advantage BMW Midtown, the rink sits right across from Starbucks and Birkenstock, an easy stop between shopping, coffee runs, and festive strolls. Whether you glide effortlessly or cling to the rail with pride, Ice Village offers holiday fun for every level of skater.

Theme Nights That Actually Make You Want To Leave the House

The rink leans into the season with nightly themes that keep things fresh and entertaining:

• Music Mondays — playlists curated for every kind of glide
• Student, Teacher & School Spirit Tuesdays
• Pajama Skate Wednesdays — cozy, chaotic, and perfect
• Date Night Thursdays — skating + dinner at one of the nearby restaurants = built-in plan.
• Family Fridays — joyful, multigenerational energy
• Ugly Sweater Sundays — the louder the knit, the better

And if you’re planning a Girls’ Night Out, Ice Village has that covered too. Start with a skate session under the lights, then stroll over to Navy Blue for a complimentary cocktail or dessert — the perfect way to keep the night going and warm up after a festive lap (or two) around the rink.

All the Holiday Fun Happens at Ice Village at Rice Village

Every festive activity this season takes place right at the rink.

Santa visits on select Saturdays and Sundays through December 21 for photos from 1–4 p.m. Rinkside treats come courtesy of local favorites, including:

• Tiny’s Milk & Cookies (Thursday–Sunday)
• The Waffle Boutique (December 24 and December 31)
• Sprinkles with seasonal cupcakes (every Tuesday & Wednesday)
• Ron’s Pub, serving Holiday Sips through January 3 (Thursday-Sunday)

A can’t-miss highlight: the Promised Land Dairy Pop-Up, December 12–14, featuring free Old-Fashioned Eggnog samples and instant-win prizes.

Fridays and Saturdays offer Collectible Ornament Nights presented by Wilson Franco, giving guests a festive keepsake to take home. And on December 17, Ice Village hosts Merry Mahjong, a one-night-only event for fans of tiles, strategy, and spirited competition.

Chick-fil-A mascots also make scheduled appearances throughout the month.

Instagrammable Moments Everywhere

Ice Village is built for festive memories — and standout photos. Pose next to our Christmas Tree, Santa’s workshop, and entrance arch. Additionally, guests will find several Instagrammable installations throughout the property, including:

• Santa’s Workshop - a charming backdrop even when Santa isn’t on-site
• Entrance Arch - a glowing welcome that sets the holiday tone
• Christmas Tree - a timeless backdrop for simple, cheerful photos
• A Life-Sized Holiday Photo Frame ideal for families, friends, and date-night shots (next to Altar’d State and Sixty Vines).
• Ornament Alley, a whimsical pathway lined with oversized ornaments and twinkling décor (outside of Mendocino Farms and D’Amico’s Italian Market Cafe)
• A towering Stacked Present Boxes Photo Op, perfect for holiday-card-worthy pictures (in between Banana Republic and Hudson House)

Tickets, Parking & The Essentials

Ice Village is open seven days a week, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Tickets are $20, with skate rental included.

Visitors can enjoy two hours of free parking in the main garage or rooftop lot, or use Parkmobile for longer visits. And with 60+ shops, restaurants, and cafés surrounding the rink, it’s easy to turn skating into a full holiday outing.

Ice Village runs now through January 4. Plan your visit and reserve tickets at rice-village.com/icevillage.