Each year, the greenspace behind the Huntsville Museum of Art transforms into a glowing landscape of twinkling lights and winter magic as a beloved Huntsville tradition makes its return. Skating in the Park opens for its 14th season on Nov. 21. Celebrate the season with two months of ice skating under the lights in Big Spring Park, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
“We are thrilled to open another season of Skating in the Park,” said Skating in the Park Advisory Board Chair Hank Isenberg. “The city of Huntsville, our sponsors, the Skating in the Park Advisory Board and Huntsville Museum of Art staff work incredibly hard to make this event a safe and fun activity for our community. We are grateful for the continued support that makes this beloved holiday tradition possible.”
A rink built with heart and a lot of teamwork
Long before opening day, crews begin building the rink from the ground up. The city’s General Services, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works departments help lay the foundation each year.
“We would not be able to do this without the support of the city,” said Andrea Petroff, director of development for the Huntsville Museum of Art. “The mayor, General Services, Parks and Rec, all the departments are instrumental in helping us make it happen each year.”
The rink grew by six feet this year thanks to new cooling mats, part of the intricate system that keeps the ice frozen even when Alabama’s winter hits a warm patch. Read all about how the ice rink is built here.
“It’s just pure joy,” said Terri Keller, who, along with her husband Tim, have spent more than a decade helping construct and maintain the rink. “Every season, we get to watch families make memories on something we built together.”
Open on every major holiday
Skating in the Park is open seven days a week, with holiday hours that make it easy to add a skate session to your seasonal traditions. The rink welcomes visitors on:
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- New Year’s Eve
- New Year’s Day
Rink hours vary throughout the season and are posted at hsvmuseum.org.
“Skating in the Park brings our community together each year to celebrate the holiday season in the heart of downtown Huntsville,” Petroff said. “Skating in the Park adds vibrancy to our city’s holiday calendar and creates lasting memories for families across North Alabama.”
A season full of events and memories
In addition to daily skating, the rink will host DJ Nights, Family Nights, and its popular kid-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration. Behind the scenes, the crew works constantly to keep the ice smooth and skateable. The crew uses a Zamboni that’s actually a John Deere tractor fitted with a resurfacing blade.
The rink hosts numerous memorable moments, from marriage proposals to accommodations for special needs visitors. Year after year, families and friends create new memories that become part of the rink’s story.
Details
- Dates: Nov. 21–Jan. 4
- Location: Directly behind the Huntsville Museum of Art in Big Spring Park
- Admission: $15 for ages 10+; $5 for ages 9 and under
- Skate rentals: $5 (or bring your own)
- Scooter rentals: $5
For weather updates and special-event announcements, follow @SkatingInThePark on Facebook and Instagram.
Make a day of it at the Huntsville Museum of Art
Guests can also warm up inside the Huntsville Museum of Art and explore holiday exhibitions, including “Days of Punk: Photographs by Michael Grecco.” Visitors who show their skating wristbands in the museum store receive a 10% discount on all items, from art supplies to holiday gifts.
