Make the most of the winter weekend with the top things to do in Boston! New England Botanic Garden photo by Troy B. Thompson Photography
Frostival, Robot Battles, and More Things to Do in Boston This Weekend with Kids
The Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform at the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in January 2026. Photo: ©Michael J.Lutch for the BYSO
Top Free Things To Do with Kids in Boston in January 2026, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
There's something for everyone, even teens, at Apex in Marlboro! Photo courtesy of Apex
25 Fun Things To Do in Boston with Teens
From outdoor events to indoor fun, explore the free things to do in Boston with kids! Riverfest at Assembly Row photo courtesy of Federal Realty
100 Free Things To Do in Boston with Kids
Free, fun activities can be as simple as blowing bubbles on a sunny day
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in Boston with Kids Guide
Get active and have fun as a family at the top spots for indoor golf in Boston!
Best Indoor Golf in Boston: Indoor Golfing Fun for Kids and Families
Jump into fun with the top kids indoor playgrounds and play spaces in Boston! Photo courtesy of Boston Playground
Best Kids Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Boston
Big league fun awaits at Boston's top attractions for kids. Photo courtesy of Fenway Park
Top Attractions in Boston: Best Things To See and Do with Kids
Vermont's Mountain Top Resort is as picturesque as a New England family getaway could be. Photo by Gary Hall
This Activity-Packed Resort in Stunning Vermont is an Ideal Family Getaway
Indoors and out and about, there are so many thing to do in Boston with kids before they grow up! Photo courtesy of the Rose Kennedy Greenway website
100 Things To Do in Boston Before Kids Grow Up
Take flight at Story Land in New Hampshire, one of the top New England theme parks for kids and families! Photo courtesy of the park.
Best New England Theme Parks for Kids and Families
Teatime meets playtime in Beverly. Photo courtesy of the Children's Piazza
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun for Boston Kids
Photo courtesy of Fire+Ice
15 Boston-Area Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While You Eat (and Relax)
Peek inside a rainforest at Providence's Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Boston Zoos: There's More Than Just the Franklin Park Zoo!
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Explore a new area on a weekend trip with the kids from Boston
GUIDE
Day Trips and Weekend Getaways from Boston Guide
From outdoor events to indoor fun, explore the free things to do in Boston with kids! Riverfest at Assembly Row photo courtesy of Federal Realty
100 Free Things To Do in Boston with Kids
Hiking is just one of many things to do in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, but it sure delivers great views!
25 Things to Do in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with Kids
10 One-Mile-or-Less Hikes to Take with Your Preschooler Around Boston
Perfect for a day trip from Boston, Cape Ann has miles of beaches, great food, and plenty of family fun. Good Harbor Beach photo by Bex Walton via Flickr 2.0
Things To Do on Cape Ann: Day Trips from Boston to Gloucester and More
Step into family fun in the Merrimack Valley. Photo courtesy of the Salisbury Beach Partnership.
25 Things To Do in the Merrimack Valley with Kids
The Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial. Photo courtesy of the National Parks Service
Black-Owned Restaurants, Shops, and Landmarks to Discover in Boston
Who you lookin' at?! The Tropical Forest at Franklin Park Zoo. Photo by Don Crasco/Franklin Park Zoo
Franklin Park Zoo: Top Tips for a Great Visit with Kids
Try a little freeze dancing, robot style! Photo courtesy of Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels
30 Exercise Games and Indoor Activities to Get Kids Moving
Science experiments and STEM activities for kids entrance children with their
GUIDE
Guide to Science Experiments for Kids and Fun STEM Activities
New England sleepaway camps get kids out into nature. Photo courtesy of Night Eagle Wilderness Adventure Camp
New England Sleepaway Camps Where Kids Completely Unplug
No messy, dripping fingers when you eat watermelon on a stick.
15 Amazing Mom Hacks That Make Everything Easier
Photo by Liz Baill
GUIDE
Games & Activities Guide for Kids
GUIDE
Homeschool & Online Learning Resources for Families
A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for Kids
Nantucket's Daffodil Festival is one of many spring celebrations around Massachusetts.
GUIDE
Spring Break Ideas Guide for Boston Kids and Families

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids and Families

The Sculpture Garden Ice Rink at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art is always popular. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr 2.0
The Sculpture Garden Ice Rink at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art is always popular. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr 2.0
11/13/25 - By Jennifer Marino Walters

What could be more enjoyable than ice skating on a beautiful winter's day? In winter 2025-2026, families have plenty of outdoor ice skating options in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

Weather permitting, outdoor ice skating rinks generally open in mid to late November and close in February or March. Many of them also host special skating events, so check the websites for more information. Otherwise, lace up your skates and enjoy ice skating at one of these great rinks near DC.

For more fun things to do this winter—from the best museums for kids in the DC area to the best places to go snow tubing near DC—check out out Winter Activities Guide for DC Kids.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Take a glide on DC's largest outdoor ice rink. Photo courtesy of the Washington Harbour Ice Rink
Take a glide on DC's largest outdoor ice rink. Photo courtesy of the Washington Harbour Ice Rink

Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in DC

The Washington Harbour Ice Rink

Daily, November 20, 2025 - March 1, 2026
Head to DC's largest outdoor ice rink to enjoy scenic views of the Potomac River, the Kennedy Center, Key Bridge, and historic Georgetown while you glide around the ice. Twinkling snowflakes and decorations light up the rink at night. Penguins for beginner skaters are available for an additional fee. READ MORE

Sculpture Garden Ice Rink

Daily, November 24, 2025 - March 1, 2026 (except December 25 and January 1)
Take a spin on the popular ice skating rink in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. Guests can book two back-to-back, 45-minute skating sessions online. The Pavilion Cafe is open part of the time with food and seasonal treats like hot chocolate. READ MORE

The Wharf Ice Rink

Wednesday - Sundays, November 26, 2025 - February 22, 2026 (also on certain Mondays and Tuesdays)
Enjoy gorgeous views of the water and the DC monuments while skating at DC's only over-water ice skating rink. Rent skates or bring your own, then grab a bite at one of the Wharf's restaurants. READ MORE

Canal Park Ice Rink

Daily, November 30, 2025 - March 1, 2026
Canal Park offers public skating sessions seven days a week from late November until early March. Skating sessions are 90 minutes long, with a break at the halfway point to resurface the ice. Each session is separated by a 15-minute intermission to allow time for rental skates to be returned and disinfected before the following session. READ MORE
Enjoy ice skating with a view of Baltimore's skyline at the Inner Harbor Ice Rink. Photo by Stephen C. Earley via Flickr 2.0
Enjoy ice skating with a view of Baltimore's skyline at the Inner Harbor Ice Rink. Photo by Stephen C. Earley via Flickr 2.0

Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks Near DC in Maryland

Baltimore's Inner Harbor Ice Rink

Baltimore, MD
Daily, November 7, 2025 - January 19, 2026
Go for a spin around the ice and enjoy magical waterfront views of Baltimore's skyline at the Inner Harbor Ice Rink. Keep an eye out for special events at the rink throughout the season. READ MORE

Color Burst Ice Rink at Merriweather District

Columbia, MD
Daily, November 21, 2025 - January 31, 2026 (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
Take a 75-minute glide around the ice at the Color Burst Ice Rink at Color Burst Park. Plenty of themed events and celebrations take place throughout the season, and there is music and pop-up food and drinks. Skate aids for children are available for $5. READ MORE

Rockville Town Square Outdoor Ice Skating

Rockville, MD
Daily, closing date TBA
Enjoy ice skating on the outdoor rink at Rockville Town Square. Skating sessions are two hours long. Group and private lessons are available.  READ MORE
Skate under twinkling lights in Reston Town Center. Photo courtesy of the Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion
Skate under twinkling lights in Reston Town Center. Photo courtesy of the Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion

Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks Near DC in Virginia

Harris Pavilion Ice Skating

Manassas, VA
Daily, November 21, 2025 - January 4, 2026 (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
Harris Pavilion's ice skating rink is open daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) through January 4, 2026. Advance online registration is encouraged. READ MORE

Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion

Reston, VA
Daily November 7, 2025 - March 8, 2026
The ice skating rink at Reston Town Center offers daily public skating. The skate shop has over 500 pairs of skates for rent in both figure and hockey styles, ranging from toddler size 8 through men’s size 15. Beginner skaters can try double-bladed, flat-edge skates to walk across the ice until they’re ready to advance to single-bladed skates. Penguin skate aids are also available.  READ MORE

Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run

Alexandria, VA
Various Dates, November 29, 2025 - February 28, 2026
Ice & Lights offers a fun, outdoor family experience to see unique holiday lights, take family pictures or selfies with a variety of displays, and take a spin on the outdoor ice rink. The Village opens on November 15, and ice skating begins on November 29. READ MORE

WestPost Outdoor Ice Skating at National Landing

Arlington, VA
Daily, closing date TBA
At 7,200 square feet, the WestPost ice rink at National Landing is the largest outdoor ice skating rink in Northern Virginia and the second largest in the state. It features an outdoor dual-sided stone fireplace, shops, restaurants, and a coffee shop. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Jennifer Marino Walters
Jennifer Marino Walters is the DC and travel editor for Mommy Poppins and the author of over 20 beloved children's books. A proud mom of three—plus twins!—she lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and busy brood. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find Jennifer cheering from the sidelines of a baseball game, supporting her daughter’s cheerleading squad, diving into a good book, or exploring new destinations. Connect with her on Instagram @jmwalters718.
Recent Articles By Jennifer Marino Walters:
Read more articles by Jennifer Marino Walters.