Those looking to combine the winter magic of ice skating with Arizona’s resplendent sunsets will have plenty of opportunities this holiday season.
Five spots across the Valley are offering outdoor ice skating rinks as part of their holiday festivities.
All costs include skate rentals.
Seasonal outdoor rinks
Skaters circle the ice on the Desert Ice Skating Rink inside the Fairmont Princess Scottsdale resort during the Christmas at the Princess event.
(Courtesy Fairmont Princess Scottsdale)
Christmas at The Princess
Christmas at The Princess offers different ways to dive into the holiday fun, including skating on the Desert Ice Skating Rink inside the resort. Enjoy the festive atmosphere, dazzling lights across the resort and artificial snowfall as you skate.
Where: The Fairmont Princess Scottsdale, 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale
When: Through Saturday, Jan. 3
Cost: Admission to the event is $40 (parking not included) with admission on select days for $30. An ice skating pass is another $40.
(Courtesy city of Mesa)
(Courtesy city of Mesa)
Merry Main St.
The Winter Wonderland Ice Rink is the city of Mesa’s Merry Main St. holiday festival. In addition to skating, attendees can enjoy a Christmas tree and menorah, Christmas lights, the Holiday Sunset Market, Jack Frost’s Food Truck Forest, the Santa Express train, visits with Santa, live music on Fridays and events throughout the season at the Mesa Arts Center.
When: Through Saturday, Jan. 10. Closed on Christmas and noon-6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Where: The Plaza at Mesa City Center at 56 E. Main St., Mesa
Cost: $11 for one hour of skating.
(Courtesy Westgate Entertainment District)
(Courtesy Westgate Entertainment District)
Skate Westgate
Glendale’s Westgate Entertainment District also offers skaters the chance to visit with Santa Claus, enjoy a meal at one of the center’s many eateries, escape with your mates at Escape Westgate, share a laugh at Stir Crazy Comedy Club and much more.
Where: Fountain Park inside Westgate Entertainment District, 6751 N. Sunset Blvd., Glendale
When: Through Monday, Jan. 12
Cost: $30 for adults or $25 to bring your own skates or for military members, $25 for toddlers.
Skaters circle the rink at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek in 2022.
(Courtesy Schnepf Farms)
Christmas at Schnepf Farms
This Queen Creek farm offers their range of festive rides and treats Thursday-Sunday and keeps open the ice rink and train on Monday-Wednesday.
Where: Schnepf Farms, 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek
When: Through Sunday, Dec. 28 except Monday-Thursday, Dec. 22-25
Cost: On Thursday-Sunday, $19.95-$25.95 for a general admission ticket (includes ice skating). On Monday-Wednesday, $19.95 for an “Ice and Tracks” ticket, which includes only ice skating and a train ride ticket.
A couple skates on the ice at Desert Farm Lights in Surprise.
(Courtesy Desert Farm Lights)
Desert Farm Lights
This attraction on the border of Waddell and Surprise offers a 13-acre wonderland featuring millions of twinkling lights, an immersive candy cane maze and nightly visits with Santa in addition to ice skating. Other attractions include an illuminated horse-drawn orchard ride, a 90-foot slide, bungee trampolines, igloo rentals, pictures with Santa and the Grinch. There will be live music Thursday-Sunday.
Where: 14629 W. Peoria Ave., Waddell
When: Through Sunday, Dec. 28. Closed on Christmas.
Cost: General admission is $22.95. Ice skating is $12. (Personal skates are not permitted “due to the unique conditions of our outdoor rink,” the website states).
No longer operating
CitySkate Holiday Ice Rink
Though Cityscape, 1 E. Washington St., Phoenix, still holds holiday events, it hosted its last “CitySkate” ice skating rink in 2022.
Year-round indoor skating
Ice Den Scottsdale
9375 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale
Ice Den Chandler
7225 W. Harrison St., Chandler
AZ Ice Arcadia (limited operations, due to storm damage, until further notice)
3853 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix
AZ Ice Gilbert
2305 E. Knox Road, Gilbert
AZ Ice Peoria
15829 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria
Mullett Arena
411 S. Packard Drive, Tempe
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Mark Carlisle joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, covering Glendale. He has since moved to the Daily Independent team, primarily covering the city of Phoenix along with other topics affecting the Valley at-large.
Community: Mark enjoys taking his two young sons to parks, the Phoenix Zoo, the Phoenix Public Library and other fun events around the Valley. He also participates in a local book club.
Education: Chapman University with a BA in English Journalism and one in Screenwriting.
Random Fact: Mark worked at a tuxedo shop in college. Just don’t ask him to tie a bowtie.
Hobbies: Spending time with his wife, sons and dog, watching sports and TV shows, listening to audiobooks and occasionally writing fiction or designing a board game.
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