By Amy Hopf, Digital Content Associate

Skating season is upon us! Parks & Rec ice rinks offer free skate options each day of the week, plus a big selection of holiday special skate events.

Admission is free, with a $3-$5 cost for renting skates. Details on hours, locations, and special skates are below.

All rinks are closed on Christmas Day (December 25) and New Year’s Day (January 1).

Laura Sims (200 S. 63rd St., 19139)

Free skate schedule
Monday and Wednesday: 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Friday: 7:45 p.m.-9:45 p.m.
Saturday: 3 p.m.-5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
Sunday: 3 p.m.-5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.

Special skates

  • December 22: Skate and take pictures with Santa during the 3 p.m.-5 p.m. session! Featuring gifts for the first 50 children, free hot chocolate, cookies, and candy canes.
  • Christmas Eve (December 24) & New Year’s Eve (December 31): 12 p.m.-2 p.m., with light snacks and hot chocolate

Rizzo (1101 S. Front St., 19147)

Free skate schedule
Monday and Wednesday: 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.
Friday: 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
Saturday: 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
Sunday: 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.

Scanlon (1099 E. Tioga St., 19134)

Free skate schedule
Monday and Wednesday: 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Saturday: 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Closed from December 18th -January 2 for scheduled maintenance.

Simons (7200 Woolston Ave, 19138)

Free skate schedule
Tuesday and Thursday: 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Wednesday and Friday: 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Sunday: 1:30 p.m.-6 p.m.

Special skates

  • December 22*: Skate with Mr. & Mrs. Claus
  • December 23*: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
    • Great Commission hosts a free party for the community.
  • Christmas Eve (December 24): 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • December 26-28: 1:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
  • December 29 : 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  • December 30: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • New Year’s Eve (December 31): 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

*These events will feature feeding the public and giving out toys, clothes, and more.

Tarken (6250 Frontenac St., 19111)

Free skate schedule
Monday and Friday: 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Special skates

  • December 23: 1 p.m.-3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
  • Christmas Eve (December 24): Skate with Santa from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • December 26: 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
  • December 28: special skate for families of kids with Autism from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
  • December 29: 12 p.m.-2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
  • December 30: 12 p.m.-2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Skating isn’t all we have this winter!
Many of our recreation centers and locations feature low-cost or free programming. Check out our guide with 10 things to do for under $10 this season.