JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The day has come.
Jacksonville’s first-ever outdoor ice skating rink opened Friday morning in downtown Jacksonville, near the Riverside Arts Market.
The holiday attraction, named JAX Artist Walk on Ice, made its debut at 10 a.m. at the Artist Walk Skatepark.
David Papaj grew up in Buffalo and said ice skating is nostalgic for him.
“We had nothing but outdoor rinks, so this brings back memories to me,” Papaj said.
Jocelyn Jones, the venue manager of Ice Rink Events, explained how they put the ice rink together.
“She’s never ice-skated before, and it’s just gonna be a wonderful thing I can take her to, hopefully every year, and make it a tradition,” Growden said.
“The big blue machine is a chiller and next to it are glycol tanks so it’ll be really chilling,” Jones said. “We laid glycol lines all the way underneath this, and so glycol freezes at a much lower point than water does. So then glycol is chilling. The water freeze is over it. So we put layer by layer by layer down.”
Kirsten Growden said the rink is good for her daughter.
“She’s never ice-skated before, and it’s just gonna be a wonderful thing I can take her to, hopefully every year, and make it a tradition,” Growden said.
Jones said ice skating in Florida doesn’t happen often.
“Holiday magic,” Jones said. “You don’t get cold and ice in Florida often.”
The ice skating rink will be open from Friday, Nov. 28, to Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Read the season & holiday hours below:
Regular Hours
- Monday to Thursday: 4 to 9 p.m.
- Friday: 4 to 10 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Holiday Hours
- Thanksgiving Break (Nov. 28–29): 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Christmas Break (Dec. 22–Jan. 6):
- Christmas Eve: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Christmas Day: 1 to 7 p.m.
- New Year’s Eve: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- New Year’s Day: 1 to 7 p.m.
- All other days: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tickets & Pricing
General Admission: $17 + $1.50 fee + taxes (includes skate rental and 75 minutes on the ice)
Special Pricing:
- Monday Cheapskate Nights: Dec. 1, 8, 15 & Jan. 12 — $10 (includes skates & 75
- minutes)
- Tuesday–Friday Discounts (excluding holiday weeks): Dec. 2–4, 9–11, 16–18 & Jan.
- 7–8, 13–15
- Military & First Responders: $15 (up to 4 people, ID required)
- College Students: $15 (ID required)
- Rush Hour Skating (4–5 PM): $13
Group reservations and private party bookings are available for corporate events, birthdays, and holiday celebrations.
Guests can also enjoy holiday treats, festive beverages, and local artisan shopping at the RAM Holiday Market, adding to the festive riverside atmosphere.