Updated on November 28, 2025 by Julie McCool
These Washington DC and Northern Virginia ice skating rinks offer healthy winter fun for every age, whether you prefer to skate indoors or out. Each ice skating destination offers smooth ice, happy music, and nearby fun, so we suggest you visit them all.
Many outdoor skating rinks open in mid-November and are open on holidays like Thanksgiving. However, outdoor rinks may close due to warm or stormy weather so always check for updates before you head out.
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Follow the links for details on schedules and ticket options for the 2025/2026 winter skating season. Purchase tickets in advance to guarantee your spot.
Outdoor Northern Virginia Ice Skating Rinks
These outdoor skating rinks in Northern Virginia provide festive places to glide, spin, and learn to skate. Rinks generally have music playing and offer skate rentals and assistance devices for new skaters.
1. Harris Pavillon Ice Rink, Manassas
Seasonal ice skating takes over the Harris Pavilion Ice Rink in Old Town Manassas from November 21, 2025 through January 4 2024 (weather permitting). The rink is open daily and hours vary by day. The pavilion offers a generously covered rink with a nice sound system pumping out music to glide to.
All sessions are open skate, and skate rentals are available for $6. New skaters can rent a Penguin ice skate helper for $10.
Skating is $10/$8 adults/children 10 and under. The rink is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but open on New Year’s Eve and Day. Follow the link for details and special event closures.
Historic Manassas is full of restaurants, shops, and historic sites, so allow time after your skating session to explore. Better yet book a room in Manassas and enjoy a winter mini-vacation. The Manassas Train Depot is a great spot for a photo with the Virginia LOVE sign.
2. Reston Town Center Ice Skating, Reston
The Reston Town Center Ice Skating Rink planned is open daily through March 8, 2026 including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year.
The Reston Town Center Pavillion underwent a major renovation. New fire pits and seating areas near the rink now add to the cozy vibe. Skating can get a little crowded, but the mood is upbeat and the staff does their best to keep everyone happy. Reserve your spot and purchase tickets online.
Adult admission is $11 for adults, $9 for youth under 12, Seniors, and Military, plus $8 for skate rentals. New skaters can also rent a Penguin Skate Aid for $10.
3. Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating, Arlington
The Westpost Ice Skating Rink (formerly Pentagon Row) opened for the season on Novmber 1, 2025. The rink is open daily, weather permitting, through mid-March, including major holidays.
The largest outdoor ice skating rink in Northern Virginia, Westpost offers 6,840 feet of space to glide and twirl. A two-sided fireplace next to the rink offers a cozy place to relax.
Online tickets are $11 for skaters 13 and up; $10 for youth and Seniors over 55 ($2 more in person). Skate rentals are $6.
4. Ice & Lights Winter Village, Cameron Run
The Ice & Lights Winter Village returns to Cameron Run for a fourth year from November 28 to January 4. The popular holiday light display features plenty of sparkly photo opps including a walk-thru tree and photo frame, a giant wreath, and beautiful design stars.
This holiday lights show includes a Winter Village with optional ice skating. You can also enjoy daytime ice skating from Dec 20 to Jan 4.
Combined Village and Ice skating tickets are $21.50/24 online/at door, which includes 1.5 hours of skating. Daytime skating is $13.50/$15.50 online/at door. The Village and rink are open nightly, including holidays, 5:00-10:00. Daytime skating hours are noon-4:00
Once the holiday light show closes, the ice skating rink opens on weekends and holidays noon-4:00 from Jan 10 to Feb 28, 2026.
5. Capital One Metro Park, Tysons
The new rink at Capital One Center’s Metro Park offers public and private skating on an 8000-square-foot synthetic ice surface. Open early December to February 28, noon-9:00/10:00-9:00 weekdays/weekends but may close for private events or inclement weather. Tickets start at $13 which includes your skate rental.
Indoor Northern Virginia Ice Skating Rinks
When it’s just too cold outside, or you’re looking to cool down during the warmer months, these indoor Northern Virginia ice skating rinks are the place to go.
Find more fun Indoor Activities in Northern Virginia to Escape Winter Cold or a Rainy Day.
6. SkateQuest, Reston
Two large rinks at SkateQuest are often occupied with hockey, figure skating, lessons, and camps, so public skating hours vary and are not available every day. When public skating is offered, you’ll find good quality ice, a lot of room to spread out, and pleasant staff.
Admission is $10 and skate rentals are $4. Check the website for public skating hours and special deals. There’s a cafe in the building, and there are plenty of restaurants at nearby Plaza America.
7. Ashburn Ice House
The Ashburn Ice House has two large rinks, but the hours for public skating vary so check the schedule. Registration is required for all public skating sessions. The rink is a popular spot for hockey games, figure skating, camps, and skating lessons.
Admission during public skating hours is $15. Skate rentals are $5. When you get hungry try a pizza from the Pomodoro located inside the Ice House, or head to Ford’s Fish Shack for tasty seafood.
8. Fairfax Ice Arena
The first year-round ice rink in DC area, Fairfax Ice Arena has welcomed skaters for nearly 50 years. The indoor rink offers classes, camps, competitions, ice hockey, and public skating year-round.
Public skating hours are offered every day, including most holidays (closed Christmas Day). Schedules vary seasonally so follow the link for details. Public skating weekday admission is $10 for all ages; $11 on weekends and holidays. Skate rentals are $4.
9. MedStar Capitals Iceplex, Arlington
Feel like a pro when you glide in the rink at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, the Washington Capitals use to practice. You can stop by to watch a practice session, but why not get out on the ice yourself? Public skating hours vary, so check the website for details. Admission is $15 and skate rentals are $5.
Seasonal Outdoor Washington DC Ice Skating Rinks
Celebrate the return of chilly days and nights at these seasonal rinks for outdoor ice skating in Washington DC.
10. National Sculpture Garden, Washington DC
You’ll find a fun alternative to Northern Virginia ice skating at the Washington DC National Sculpture Garden Ice Skating Rink. During the day you can skate, then visit the large-scale sculptures by major artists that surround the rink. At night, enjoy the festive lights.
he National Sculpture Garden Ice Rink is open daily from November 24 to March 1 including holidays. Skating hours are 9:00 to 9:00 Sunday to Thursday and 9:00 to 11:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Adult skating is $15 for two 45-minute sessions, $12 for children 12 and under, seniors, military, and students. Skate rentals are $7. Frequent skaters should consider the $250 season pass.
Skating is just one of our picks for a DC holiday day trip. Better yet, plan a US Capitol area staycation to visit the rink and other area sites.
11. Washington Harbour Ice Rink, Washington DC
The Washington Harbour Ice Rink opens from mid-November to late February. The largest outdoor skating rink in Washington DC offers public skating daily including holidays, along with skating lessons and special events.
Admission is $11 for adults, $9 for children/seniors/military, plus $7 if you want to rent skates. You can also rent a penguin skate aid for $10 to help beginner skaters on the ice. The rink is open Sunday to Thursday 11:00-8:30, Friday and Saturday 11:00-10:30.
12. Canal Park Ice Skating Rink, Capitol Riverfront
The Canal Park Ice Rink is open from late November through early March. The rink opens weekdays 2:00-10:00, Friday to 11:00, Saturday noon-11:00, and Sunday noon-10:00.
This seasonal outdoor rink has a figure-8 shaped track which offers a unique ice skating option. There are plenty of restaurants close by for a fun night out. Skating rates are $13 for adults, $11 for children and seniors and skate rentals are $7.
13. The Wharf Ice Rink, The Wharf DC
Enjoy a fantastic view of the Potomac River at The Wharf Ice Rink in Washington DC. The seasonal outdoor ice skating rink is close to all of the great restaurants and activities at The Wharf.
The Wharf Ice Rink is open from November 26 to February 22. Ice skating at The Wharf is open Wednesday to Friday 4:00-10:00, Saturday noon-10:00, and Sunday noon-8:00. Admission is $20/$15/$17 for adults/kids 12/seniors and military. The price includes skates and covers a whole day of skating.
14. Enchant Christmas, Nationals Park
Enchant Christmas will not return to DC in 2025.
15. ICE! 2025, National Harbor
There is no outdoor ice skating rink at National Harbor in 2025.
One of the best holiday light shows in the DC area, Christmas on the Potomac and ICE! fills Gaylord National with a dazzling indoor light show and a walk-thru display carved from 2 million pounds of ice. ICE! 2025 features scenes from the holiday classic, The Polar Express.
Wherever you choose for ice skating in Northern Virginia and DC, we wish you smooth ice and a fun time.
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