It is the winter tradition St. Louisans have been waiting for. The third annual Winterfest Ice Rink in Kiener Plaza opens Saturday, hosted by the Gateway Arch Park Foundation and the St. Louis Blues. This free community ice rink offers the opportunity to enjoy the thrills of outdoor winter sports under the beautiful downtown skyline. The six-week pop-up ice rink will feature 3-on-3 adult league play, Little Blues - Learn to Play, skate with characters opportunities, hot chocolate, and fireworks on New Year’s Eve.  Blues for Kids, the charitable trust of the St. Louis Blues, will be offering free skate rentals for kids on Thursday and Friday each week during Winterfest.

“The Winterfest Ice Rink is a wonderful place to celebrate the season, introduce more people to the fun of skating, and make memories in downtown St. Louis,” said Chris Zimmerman, president and CEO of business operations for the St. Louis Blues. “St. Louisans are fans of hockey, and there’s no better place to enjoy the outdoor ice than in Kiener Plaza with the Gateway Arch up above.”  

The Winterfest Ice Rink will be open Thursdays – Sundays from November 17 through December 19 and daily from December 24 through January 1. Skate rentals are available for $12 for adults and $7 for children 3 – 15-years-old. Anyone with ice skates can skate free.  

This year the Winterfest Ice Rink will feature bleachers and a heated tent for viewing skating and ice sports in comfort.

The Winterfest Ice Rink opens at noon on Saturday, November 17. That evening, the public can enjoy skating during the Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights (4 – 8 p.m.).

On Thanksgiving Day, the Winterfest Ice Rink opens at 8 a.m. with free skate rental during the Thanksgiving Day Parade. The rink will be open from 8 a.m. – noon on Thanksgiving Day.

Friday, November 23 is One Nation Night, presented by Bud Select, a rally for fans of the St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Cardinals featuring St. Louis Blues-themed activities, Louie, Fred Bird, and the Bud Select Build-A-Bar.

Every Saturday (excluding Dec. 22) the St. Louis Blues will host a 3 on 3 amateur hockey tournament. The public can watch the games and form teams to participate. Little Blues – Learn to Play sessions will be on Sunday mornings (excluding Dec. 23) for youth to try the sport with equipment provided as part of the registration fee. Go to www.nhl.com/blues/community/winterfest-hockey for more information and registration for 3 on 3 hockey and Little Blues – Learn to Play.

On Thursdays’ theme nights, everyone is invited to dress up to skate. Skaters who look the part will get $2 off their skate rental. Theme nights include: 11/19 Favorite Decade, 12/6 Star Wars, 12/13 Surfs Up, 12/20 Ugly Sweater, 12/27 School Spirit.

Special VIP guests from movies and television will be skating on Sundays for great photo-ops with kids and fans of all ages. Special appearances include: 12/2 Disney Princesses, 12/9 Daniel Tiger and Katerina Kitty, 12/16 Elsa and Olaf, 12/30 Captain America and Spiderman.

Hours and events include:

Regular Hours:
November 17 – December 19, 2018

• Thursday & Friday: 4 – 8 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: noon – 8 p.m.
• Saturday, November 17: Opening Day noon – 8 p.m. & Festival of Lights 4 – 8 p.m.
• Thursday, November 22: Thanksgiving Day Skate 8 a.m. – noon with free skate rental & the Thanksgiving Day Parade
• Friday, November 23: One Nation Night 5 – 7 p.m.
   

December 24, 2018 – January 1, 2019

• Daily: noon – 8 p.m.
• New Year’s Eve Party: 4 – 8 p.m. with fireworks at 8 p.m.
• New Year’s Day: noon – 8 p.m. Closing Day of the Winterfest Ice Rink season.

Purchase skate rentals on site at the Winterfest Ice Rink box office in Kiener Plaza. Get more information and purchase skate rentals in advance or buy Arch Tram & Ice Skate Rental Combo tickets at ArchPark.org/Winterfest.