Robson Square Ice Skating

Free ice skating takes place from December until February on the outdoor ice rink at Vancouver’s Robson Square at the corner of Robson Street and Howe.

The skating is free and you can rent skates for a reasonable fee. The facility opened for the 2022/23 season on December 1st and the skating continued until around the end of February.

This article contains the following information about skating at Robson Square:

Robson Square Ice Skating and Entertainment

Designed by famous Vancouver architect Arthur Erickson, Robson Square is a public space that includes a covered outdoor ice rink in winter. At other times of the year the facility is used for dance lessons, special events and other activities.

Skating on the 6,000 sq. foot rink is free and you can bring your own skates or rent them at the facility.

Robson Square Ice Rink — Robson Square Skating Rink

Skating Hours & Dates

During the winter season the rink is open seven days a week including holidays. Sundays to Thursdays the hours of operation are usually from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays it’s generally open from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm. However, hours on Christmas Eve are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and hours on Christmas Day are from 12:00 to 5:00 pm.

The most recent skating season started on December 1st, 2022, and was scheduled to run until February 28th, 2023.

Rental Fees

Ice skating is free at Robson Square. However, folks who don’t have their own skates can rent them for $5 a pair until half an hour before closing (and each pair comes with a helmet). Ice cleats are also available to borrow for $2.

For people who bring their own skates, sharpening costs $5 when the service is available.

Live Music at Christmas

Most years, over the Christmas holidays, ice skating at Robson Square is extra special. That’s because, on about a dozen different days there is live music performed by popular local bands and musicians.

The live music ran from December 13th to 24th in 2022. Performances took place from 6:00 to 9:00 pm most days. There were also some additional performances. See below for the schedule from 2022.

Twelve Days of Christmas Entertainment Schedule

Tuesday, December 13th, 2022 – Tom Arntzen performed between 6:00 and 9:00 pm.
Wednesday, December 14th, 2022 – Tamara Rhodes Band performed from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.
Thursday, December 15th, 2022 – SnapDragon performed from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.
Friday, December 16th, 2022 – Omi and the Homies performed between 6:00 and 9:00 pm.
Saturday, December 17th, 2022 – The British Columbia Regiment Band Society performed from 2:30 to 4:15 pm, and Top Line Vocal Collective performed from 6:00 to 9:00 pm with special guests.

Sunday, December 18th, 2022 – Perry Ehrlich’s ShowStoppers hit the stage from 2:30 to 4:15 pm, followed by DJ Barron S from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.
Monday, December 19th, 2022 – Caviar & Lace performed from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.
Tuesday, December 20th, 2022 – Malcolm Aiken Quartet performed from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.
Wednesday, December 21st, 2022 – Pk3 Jazz Trio performed from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.
Thursday, December 22nd, 2022 – DJ El Niño performed between 6:00 and 9:00 pm.
Friday, December 23rd, 2022 – Scott Robertson’s Phat Santa Swing performed from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.
Saturday, December 24th, 2022 – Santa’s Brass performed from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.
Saturday, December 31st, 2022 – Rumba Calzada performed from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.

Robson Square Ice Skating Facility — Robson Square Skating Rink

Robson Square Location

The plaza is in the 800 block of Robson Street between Howe and Hornby streets behind the Vancouver Art Gallery. The ice-skating rink is in the middle of the square. The rink is open-air, but also covered and partly underground.