Ice Skating in Charlotte NC: A Family Winter Guide
Celebrate the holiday season with family or friends by visiting one of the seasonal outdoor rinks offering ice skating in Charlotte NC!
Ice skating may not be my strong suit (drinking a winter cocktail like Christmas White Russian or Cranberry Bourbon Smash and watching people ice skate is more my speed), but being married to a man from the Midwest, our family celebrates the holiday season by lacing up a pair of skates and stepping out onto the ice. While it’s maybe not like how AJ grew up in Michigan (Charlotte is much balmier and we rarely have any snow!) in Charlotte, we’re lucky to have several seasonal pop up rinks that bring wintery charm, despite the North Carolina weather.
Whether you’re twirling under twinkling lights or inching along with a toddler in tow, these outdoor public skating rinks make the perfect festive family outing. This guide will help you find that Hallmark movie magic in and around Charlotte this winter. If you’re looking for more Christmas activites in Charlotte, NC, check out our guide here!
Charlotte Area Ice Skating Map
Birkdale on Ice
Dates: November 22, 2025 – January 18, 2026
Location: Birkdale Village Plaza (Birkdale Commons Parkway & Sam Furr Road, Huntersville)
Cost: $18 for adults, $14 for kids 16 and under for 75 minutes of skating (includes skate rental). If you plan on skating more than once this season, you can purchase a punch card for $120 which covers 10 skating sessions.
Schedule: Hours vary, general hours are weekends 10AM to 10PM and weekdays are 3PM to 9PM. Guests need to book in advance to ensure a skating time slot (walk ups are also welcome but not guaranteed). Purchase tickets and see the full schedule here.
For a charming small-town holiday feel, head to Birkdale Village in Huntersville for Birkdale on Ice. Their outdoor rink in The Plaza is the perfect spot for a family skating night or date night under the lights. After skating, grab dinner from one of the nearby restaurants — it’s the kind of cozy holiday outing you’ll want to make a yearly tradition.
Camp North Pole at Camp North End
Dates: November 20, 2025 -January 4, 2026
Location: Ford Factory at Camp North End, 400 Camp Road Charlotte, NC 28206
Cost: General admission $18, kids under 10 $15 (skates included in price, guests are welcome to use their skates at no discounted fee.)
Schedule: Monday – Thursday: 4 PM – 9 PM, Friday: 4 PM -10 PM, Saturday: 11 AM – 10 PM, Sunday: 11 AM – 9 PM, Thanksgiving Break: 11/26-11/29, 11 AM – 10 PM daily, Winter Break: 12/21-01/02, 11 AM – 10 PM daily, Christmas Eve: 11 AM – 5 PM, Christmas Day: 11 AM – 10 PM,
From November to early January, Camp North End is transformed into Camp North Pole featuring an outdoor ice skating rink, outdoor igloos and other art installations, and fire pits, plus access to all of Camp North End’s local restaurants, shops and other businesses. If you skate on a Saturday, make sure to stop by Camp North End’s seasonal shopping, Mistletoe Market, which features local makers, food stalls, live music, and themed areas.
Ice Skating at The Bowl
Dates: November 22, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Location: The Amp Ballantyne, 11115 Upper Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28277.
Cost: $20 for adults, $12 for children ages 5 and under. Tickets are available online or in person during rink hours
Schedule: Mon–Thurs: 4–9 p.m. Fri: 4–10 p.m., Sat: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sun: 12–9 p.m. Holiday Hours: Thanksgiving Break (Nov. 26–29) & Winter Break (Dec. 21–Jan. 2): 12–10 p.m. Christmas Eve: 12–5 p.m. Christmas Day: 12–10 p.m.
The Amp Ballantyne (at the Bowl at Ballantyne) is getting in the holiday spirit with its first-ever outdoor ice skating rink. Glide across the ice under the twinkling lights, sip hot cocoa, and enjoy a festive evening with family and friends. Show your ice skating ticket at Postino for free Donut Dots (dine-in only — one per person, valid during ice skating dates).
Light the Knights at Truist Field
Dates: November 26, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Location: Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte, 324 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Cost: $44.40 for all activities (includes ice skating and snow tubing); Light the Knight Package $134 (includes entrance and activities for every day of Light the Knights)
Schedule: Hours vary by date, day and time. See the full calendar here and ticket sales here.
The Charlotte Knights are transforming Truist Field into a winter wonderland (after making the outfield a pumpkin patch in the fall) complete with an NHL-sized outdoor ice rink and a 10-lane, 150-foot snow tubing hill right in the outfield. Whether you’re skating under the skyline, trying your hand at hockey, or just watching the ice shows with a cup of cocoa, it’s a must-do holiday outing for families and friends.
Tickets for skating and snow tubing are sold at limited capacity, so grab them early — once they’re gone, they’re gone. You can purchase tickets online in advance, which is highly recommended to guarantee your spot.
Winter at Whitewater
Dates: mid-November through mid-February
Location: 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214
Cost: $25 single activity pass (includes skates or you can bring your own gear), or use of an annual pass
Schedule: Check the daily activity schedule for hours of operation.
The upper pond at USNWC converts to a 24000 square foot ice skating center featuring the largest skating rink in the Southeast with two ice trails, two free skate zones and an Airstream concessions stand.
USNWC also hosts a 3 v 3 ice hockey league, cask curling and skate date nights.
Union County Ice Rink
Dates: November 25, 2025 – January 20, 2026
Location: 6467 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail, NC.
Cost: $12 per person (includes skate rental), and kids under 3 skate free
Schedule: 2–9:15 p.m. daily, closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Union County Parks & Recreation is bringing frosty fun to Indian Trail with its outdoor ice rink! It’s a great spot for beginners or little ones learning to skate — and the admission price includes skate rentals!
Founder’s Holiday Ice Rink
Dates: November 18- December 27, 2025
Location: 300 E Man Street, Rock Hill, SC
Cost: $15 (includes skate rental)
Schedule: Open times vary during school holidays and on official holidays. Check the website for a full schedule
The rink hours vary, so organizers suggest checking the website onlyinoldtown.com for details. General hours are Tuesday-Thursday 4-9 p.m., Friday 4-10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Rock Hill’s open-air ice skating rink is in the heart of Old Town across from Fountain Park. The rink is covered by a large tent, which means the rink is open rain, shine, and snow (but if conditions become unsafe because of rain, snow or unseaonably warm temperatures, the rink may be closed). Throughout the holiday season the rink will have special themed nights, such as ice skate date night or a visit from Santa.
