Best Holiday Ice Skating in Phoenix (2026)
Outdoor rinks, resort Christmas skating and indoor arenas across the Valley, with 2026 dates and prices.
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Phoenix doesn't do winter, but it does do ice. From late November, real outdoor rinks go up in downtown Mesa, at two of the Valley's biggest resorts and on a pair of farm festivals, and a handful of indoor arenas keep public skating going all season. Christmas ice skating in Phoenix is easier to find than most visitors expect.
We picked 11 rinks across Greater Phoenix, from Scottsdale and Mesa to Queen Creek, Surprise, Gilbert, Peoria and Chandler. The biggest difference between them is what you pay to actually get on the ice: Mesa is $11 with skates, while a night at the Princess runs close to seven times that once admission and the Ice Pass are added. Use the map to find your part of the Valley, then check the table for dates and the real cost of each.
Phoenix Holiday Ice Skating at a Glance
| Rink | Area | 2026–27 dates | What you'll pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Wonderland at Merry Main Street | Mesa, outdoor | Nov 27–Jan 9 | $11 with skates; book a 60-minute slot |
| Desert Ice at Christmas at the Princess | Scottsdale, outdoor | Nov 20–Jan 2 | $35 admission + $40 Ice Pass; parking extra |
| Frostlight Isle at JW Desert Ridge | North Phoenix, outdoor | Nov 18–Jan 3 | Skating ticket or a bundle that includes it; parking extra |
| The Desert Lights Festival (formerly Desert Farm Lights) | Surprise, outdoor | Nov 20–Dec 27; closed Dec 25 | From $24.95 admission + $15 skating with skates |
| Christmas at Schnepf Farms | Queen Creek, outdoor | Select nights Nov 27–Dec 27; closed Dec 25 | $19.95–$27.95 entry; skating included as space allows |
| Merry Mullett at the Community Iceplex | Tempe, indoor | Dec 19, noon–3 p.m. | $27 through Dec 6, then $30; skates included |
| AZ Ice (Arcadia, Gilbert, Peoria) | Indoor | Public sessions | $15 with skates (ages 4–12: $13.50); pay at the desk |
| Ice Den (Scottsdale, Chandler) | Indoor | Public sessions | $12 in advance with skates; holiday sessions cost more |
Holiday Ice Rinks in Phoenix
These are the seasonal rinks, built for the holidays and surrounded by lights, trees and everything else that makes it feel like December. The first five are outdoors on real ice; Merry Mullett in Tempe is the indoor holiday event.
Winter Wonderland Ice Rink at Merry Main Street
56 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201, USA
The best value in the Valley, and still a proper Christmas night out. The rink sits on the Plaza at Mesa City Center as part of Merry Main Street, so after your session you can walk to the big tree and grab dinner on Main Street. Your 60-minute slot includes check-in and fitting, so show up ready to lace up. Details: 56 E Main St, Mesa. Book ahead; limited walk-ups. No lockers, so travel light.
Desert Ice at Christmas at the Princess
7575 E Princess Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85255, USA
The splurge. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess turns its grounds into a full Christmas festival, with the 6,000-square-foot rink in the middle of the fire pits, rides and resort bars. The Ice Pass also covers the Alpine Skate Trail, the closest thing in Phoenix to skating through a light display. Weeknights early in the season are the quietest. Details: 7575 E Princess Dr, Scottsdale. Admission, Ice Pass and parking are sold separately. No skating assists; kids must skate on their own.
Frostlight Isle at JW Desert Ridge
5350 E Marriott Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA
A lakeside rink strung with lights, part of the bigger Jingle at JW celebration. It's a good date-night pick, and families can fill the rest of the evening with ICE! featuring Elf and snow tubing. Those are ticketed separately, and an ICE! ticket alone doesn't get you on the rink, so compare a skating ticket with a bundle that lists skating. Details: 5350 E Marriott Dr, Phoenix. Buy online. Kids 11 and under need a ticketed adult on the ice.
The Desert Lights Festival
14629 W Peoria Ave, Waddell, AZ 85355, USA
Formerly Desert Farm Lights, this West Valley festival suits a family that wants to keep moving: skate, then work through the lights, the maze and the train ride. It's especially good when only some of the group wants to skate. Get there near the 5 p.m. opening and make the rink your first stop. Details: 14629 W Peoria Ave, entrance at Reems and Hatcher roads. Skating is an add-on to admission; no personal skates. Parking included.
Christmas at Schnepf Farms
24810 S Rittenhouse Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142, USA
A country Christmas on a working farm, with a real-ice rink alongside hayrides, mini golf and bonfires. Skating comes with admission when there's space, so take the 5 p.m. entry if it's the priority, and leave time to explore if you're driving in from across the Valley. Details: 24810 S Rittenhouse Rd, Queen Creek. Open select nights; check the dated calendar. Free parking.
Merry Mullett at the Community Iceplex
411 S Packard Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
The best indoor Christmas event in the Valley. On December 19, one ticket covers public skating with rentals, holiday crafts, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a hot drink, a souvenir puck and the 4–6 p.m. figure-skating Christmas show. Skate from noon to 3, take a break, then come back for the show. Can't make the 19th? Holiday Music Nights run December 4, 11 and 18 at the regular public-skate price. Details: 411 S Packard Dr, Tempe. Register ahead; the early price ends Dec 6. Free Community Iceplex lot north of the arena.
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Year-Round Indoor Ice Rinks in Phoenix
These arenas run public skating all year, so expect a hockey rink rather than a holiday set. They're the move when skating itself is the plan, when you'd rather stay close to home, or when the outdoor forecast isn't cooperating. At AZ Ice you just turn up for a public session and pay at the desk; Ice Den sessions are booked online, usually from noon two days ahead, and run about two hours. Check the public-skate calendar before you leave either way.
AZ Ice Arcadia
3853 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018, USA
Central Phoenix's walk-up rink, with a restaurant, bar and coffee shop on site for anyone who'd rather watch. Details: 3853 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix. Pay at the desk; bring your own skates to skip the rental fee.
AZ Ice Gilbert
2305 E Knox Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296, USA
The East Valley's walk-up option, and an easy short outing over school break with visiting family. Details: 2305 E Knox Rd, Gilbert. Pay at the desk. Skate Mates are available for small kids, in limited numbers.
AZ Ice Peoria
15829 N 83rd Ave, Peoria, AZ 85382, USA
Real ice close to home for the West Valley, without a festival attached. Details: 15829 N 83rd Ave, Peoria. Pay at the desk.
Ice Den Scottsdale
9375 E Bell Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, USA
North Scottsdale's rink, a handy counterweight to the resort events nearby when you just want time on the ice. The two-hour sessions give first-timers room to settle in. Details: 9375 E Bell Rd, Scottsdale. Register online; holiday sessions cost more.
Ice Den Chandler
7225 W Harrison St, Chandler, AZ 85226, USA
Chandler's branch, with the same two-hour sessions for a simple winter outing close to home. Details: 7225 W Harrison St, Chandler. Register online; spots are limited.
Planning Your Skate
Pick one part of the Valley. Pair Mesa with dinner on Main Street, give the Princess the whole evening, and save Schnepf for a night when you're already in the East Valley. There's little reason to cross the Valley between rinks.
Add up the whole ticket. Some prices cover skating and skates; others only get you into the festival. Count admission for everyone, skating passes, rentals and parking. At JW, include the paying adult who has to skate with kids 11 and under.
Plan for the people who won't skate. Downtown Mesa is easy for a non-skater to wander. At the festivals, a grandparent who only wants to watch usually still needs admission, and non-ticketed visitors can't enter JW's skate-prep area.
Check holiday hours. Here’s what’s open around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.
| Date | What's open |
|---|---|
| Thanksgiving, Nov 26 | JW, the Princess and Desert Lights are in season; check your date before buying. Mesa and Schnepf open Nov 27. |
| Christmas Eve, Dec 24 | Go by each rink's dated schedule; holiday hours can differ from the usual ones. |
| Christmas Day, Dec 25 | Desert Lights and Schnepf Farms are closed. Check dated tickets everywhere else. |
| New Year's Eve and Day | Mesa, the Princess and JW are still running, but hours and last entry can change. The farm festivals have ended. |
| After New Year's | The Princess ends Jan 2, JW Jan 3 and Mesa Jan 9. Indoor rinks keep their regular calendars. |
Make a night of it with our guides to Phoenix Christmas lights, where to see Santa and the most festive Christmas restaurants.
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Frequently asked questions
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