Ice skating rink returns to downtown Fresno after a decade. Here’s what to expect
After about a decade, ice skating enthusiasts again have a place to glide and spin in downtown Fresno.
The Downtown Fresno Ice Rink officially opened to the public on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the corner of Mariposa and Fulton.
The rink features food vendors, theme nights and “real ice,” according to Gloria Valdovinos, program manager for Downtown Fresno Partnership.
Social media influencer Tyler Fontes of Outdoor Family Adventures took the ice on Tuesday with his husband and their two sons.
“We’ve been ice skating for years,” Fontes said. “It has become a holiday tradition to always go ice skating before Christmastime.”
How did Fresno ice rink start?
The ice rink originally opened at Fresno’s Fulton Mall in 2012 as an effort to attract more people to downtown.
The Downtown Fresno Partnership transformed Mariposa Plaza into an ice skating rink, which required a mobile energy transformer in addition to generators, The Fresno Bee reported previously.
The partnership closed the ice rink in 2014, citing high energy costs as a deciding factor, The Bee reported at the time.
The ice rink is returning in 2024 to help revitalize downtown Fresno, according to Valdovinos.
“The whole community came together” to bring it back, Valdovinos said.
This year’s sponsors include the city of Fresno, Amtrak, Community Health Systems and Tuff Shed.
“They’re all companies and organizations that believe in downtown and want to continue to believe in downtown,” she said. “You’re seeing a lot of the community here, and that’s just been really awesome to see. ... They want to bring a good celebration for the holidays.”
Where is Downtown Fresno Ice Rink?
Although the ice rink was originally located at Fulton Mall in downtown Fresno, it’s moved temporarily to 1939 Mariposa St. behind the Helm building and other retail spaces, according to Downtown Fresno’s website.
“It will be across the street next year,” Valdovinos said of the rink. “The city has secured some funding for us to be able to have infrastructure for the ice rink to be there, and that’ll be its permanent home.”
How big is it?
The Downtown Fresno Ice Rink measures 49 feet wide by 65 feet long for a total of 3,185 square feet.
In contrast, an official National Hockey League rink measures 85 feet wide by 200 feet long, totaling 17,000 square feet.
Are any special activities or theme nights planned?
Ice skaters who visit the rink can expect a variety of activities, with different themes every day of the week, according to Valdovinos.
Mondays will be family-friendly affairs with a craft corner presented by First 5 Fresno County, an organization dedicated to promoting healthy child development in Fresno County.
On Mondays, guests can participate in a raffle for Disney on Ice tickets.
Every Tuesday night, Fresno Street Eats will bring food truck vendors to the rink. That includes Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31.
“Hopefully we’ll make those little more of a party,” said Mike Oz, president of Fresno Street Eats.
Wednesdays are Holiday Highlights nights, including I Love Fresno Night on Dec. 11 and Family Pajama Day on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
BFF Night on Thursdays will feature varying music themes, such as Emo Night, Country Night and ‘80s Night.
In addition, the rink will celebrate pop star Taylor Swift’s birthday with a “Skate It Off” event on Friday, Dec 13.
“Tickets are almost sold out for all sessions for that one,” Valdovinos said.
Other Fridays feature a Date Night theme.
When is the ice rink open?
The Downtown Fresno Ice Rink will be open through Sunday, Jan. 12.
Regular open hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to midnight Friday; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
There are special hours for holidays and events.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, the day of Fresno’s Downtown Christmas Parade, the rink will be open from noon to midnight.
On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, the rink will open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It will be open from noon to midnight on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
On New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, the rink will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will open at 10 a.m. on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, and close at 10 p.m.
How much are ticket prices?
Tickets cost $18.95 plus tax, and include skate rentals.
Each ticket gets you 90 minutes on the ice. according to Valdovinos.
“If you buy more than three (tickets) at a time, you get $2 off each ticket,” she said.
Who can skate?
Anyone age 2 and older is welcome to skate, organizers said.
Do you need to know how to skate?
You don’t need to know how to skate to have fun at the ice rink, according to Valdovinos.
The rink will rent out Bobby the Seal ice skating aids that skaters can use to prop themselves up or push around a child.
“If you’re an adult and you really don’t trust yourself on the ice, you’re more than welcome to use them,” Valdovinos said.
How to stay safe while ice skating
Downtown Fresno Ice Rink users are asked to sign safety waivers before getting on the ice.
The rink recommends that skaters wear long socks and fitted skates that aren’t too tight or too lose. You should also keep a safe distance from other skaters.
“We take a lot of very much safety precautions,” Valdovinos said, adding that helmets are available to use for free.
Signage around the rink shows the “do’s and don’ts” of skating, she added. “Our priority is safety.”
This story was originally published December 11, 2024 at 12:17 PM.
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