'Tis the season to put on those skates and make all of your Olympic ice skating dreams come true. We have rounded up 5 outdoor, 2 indoor and one worth-the-drive places to ice skate this winter. Hours at all of these locations can vary depending on school breaks, weather conditions and the day of the week. Please check their website before you make plans to head out.
Outdoor Ice Skating:
The Bowl at Ballantyne
Location: 11115 Upper Avenue, Charlotte, NC
- Opens Nov 22 – Jan 4
- Admission includes skate rentals (bring your own for a small discount)
- Skate helpers available for younger/less-steady skaters
- Fun perk: Show your rink ticket at Postino for free Donut Dots
Camp North End
Location: 400 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC
- Open Nov 20 – Jan 4
- Adult tickets include rentals
- Reduced pricing for young kids (5 and under)
- Surrounded by markets, food stalls, and seasonal pop-ups — great for a full outing
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Location: 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
- Runs mid-Nov – mid-Feb
- Massive, 24,000-sq-ft ice “trail” with multiple skating zones
- Open 10 a.m.–10 p.m. weekends, noon–10 p.m. weekdays
- Requires a full-day pass; parking not included
- Feels more like an ice adventure park than a standard rink
Light the Knights at Truist Field
Location: 324 S Mint Street, Charlotte, NC
- Open Nov 26 – Jan 4
- Includes skating, 10-lane snow tubing, lights, market, and Santa visits
- Pricing varies by activity
- Ideal for families wanting a big, immersive holiday night out
Birkdale on Ice (Huntersville)
Location: Birkdale Village – The Plaza
- Open Nov 22 – Jan 18
- Adult tickets include rentals; kids 16 and under get a discount
- Neighborhood-friendly setting with restaurants and shopping nearby
- Great choice for families north of Charlotte
Founders Holiday Ice Rink (Rock Hill)
Location: 300 E Main Street, across from Fountain Park
- Open Nov 18 – Jan 19
- Covered rink — skate rain or shine
- Admission includes 90 minutes on the ice plus skate rentals
- Perfect for families in Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Lancaster & Union County
Worth the Drive:
If you want to get out of town for the day, Piedmont Winterfest in Greensboro makes a great day trip. Piedmont Winterfest offers ice skating, curling, The festival runs until January 28, 2024, skating is $15 and includes ice skates. Hours vary based on day and school breaks, you can make reservations in advance at their website. While you are in Greensboro make the drive to Tanglewood Festival of Lights
Indoor Ice Skating:
Pineville Ice House located at 400 Towne Centre Blvd, Pineville, NC offers public skate times most weeks. It is $15 for 1 hour and 45 minutes and includes skates. Check their website for updated weekly public skate times.
Extreme Ice Center also offers public skate times weekly. Public skate admission is $17 without skates, skate rentals are $3 plus tax. If you plan to go more than once, they offer monthly and family open skate packages as well as individual monthly open skate packages.. Extreme Ice is located at 4705 Indian Trail Fairview Rd, Indian Trail, NC. Check their website for public skate times and other information.
