Houston’s holiday season is about to get a little cooler. The Ice Rink at Discovery Green reopens on Friday, November 13, transforming a corner of downtown into a seasonal skating destination beneath the city skyline. This winter’s run continues through January 18, 2027—so there’s plenty of time to plan a holiday date night, family outing, or slightly wobbly lap with friends.
Whether you’re ready to glide across the ice or planning to stay within arm’s reach of the railing, here’s what to know before you go.
When does the Discovery Green ice rink open?
The rink returns November 13, with regular Friday hours running from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Throughout the season, the weekly schedule is:
- Monday–Thursday: 5 p.m.–10 p.m.
- Friday: 5 p.m.–11 p.m.
- Saturday and HISD school holidays: 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Planning a Thanksgiving outing? The rink lists hours of 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on November 26. Other major holidays have their own schedules, so check your chosen date before heading downtown.
How much are tickets?
Admission is listed at $18 plus tax, including skate rental and a 75-minute session. General-admission tickets must be purchased online in advance, and skaters need to complete an online waiver before their e-tickets are sent. Discovery Green also recommends securing your skating tickets before paying for parking.
For a more budget-friendly spin, Cheap Skate Nights bring admission down to $9 plus tax, including skate rental, on November 16 and 30, December 7 and 14, and January 11. The sessions run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.—a good excuse to give your usual Monday-night plans a seasonal upgrade.
There are more deals on the calendar, too: select Wednesdays offer buy-one-get-one-free general admission, while select Fridays feature $2 off admission during Happy Hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. School-holiday exclusions apply to the Wednesday offer.
Expect Santa visits—and bumper cars on ice
The festive fun goes beyond skating laps. Santa is scheduled to take to the ice from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on December 6, 13, and 20, adding a little North Pole energy to downtown Houston.
Then, from January 4–18, Bumper Cars on Ice will let visitors slip, spin, and bump their way around part of the rink. Tickets are listed at $20 plus tax for a seven-minute ride, and riders must be taller than 42 inches. The skating rink stays open during bumper-car sessions, with a slightly smaller skating area.
Discovery Green also lists Inclusive Skaters Nights on December 1 and January 5, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., providing a smaller-crowd environment for skaters with physical or developmental disabilities. Admission is free for participating skaters; accompanying family members and skate guardians need tickets, which are purchased in person for these sessions.
What to know before you go
You’ll find the rink at Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney Street. Each winter, Kinder Lake’s model boat basin becomes the park’s seasonal skating destination, with equipment powered by renewable energy and rink borders made from recycled plastic materials. Ticket sales support the nonprofit Discovery Green Conservancy and its work maintaining the park and funding free programming.
Since this is outdoor skating, weather can affect operations. If a weather closure affects a reserved session, Discovery Green says ticket holders will be notified by email and refunded. Check the park’s official skating page for tickets, holiday hours, and updates before setting off.
