Winter Wanderings
For families in Indianapolis, Holliday Park has long been a sanctuary for family fun. The nature center, playground and ruins are often filled with smiling faces enjoying the outdoors when temperatures are high. As colder days arrive, there are fewer options for enjoying the outdoors. The Holliday Park Foundation wants to ensure that is never an issue with the Holliday Park Ice Rink.
The ice rink was a longtime vision of the Holliday Park Foundation that came to life four years ago. Located at 6363 Spring Mill Road, the 60-by-135-foot ice rink is a destination for families looking for outdoor fun during the winter months. With accommodations for up to 300 skaters at one time, families can take advantage of multiple open-skate options, complete with warm lace-up areas, through March 1.
“We have created a very cozy, welcoming space for families. We have six fire pits and a large commons area, ideal for gathering. Our space also includes a warming hut, fashioned from a converted shipping container with a viewing space where parents can watch their children skate while relaxing in a warm space,” says Chris Clyne, manager of the Holliday Park Ice Rink. Spectators can also purchase food and drinks from MashCraft on-site.
The Holliday Park Ice Rink offers multiple daily open-skate sessions with individual prices of $14 per skater. Skate aids are available for young and learning skaters, and season passes can be purchased for skaters who want to take full advantage of the skating season.
Other programs offered include ice skating lessons, students’ nights, couples skate, private events, corporate team building, hockey lessons, birthday parties and a new curling league. Youth can also join the Learn to Play program at no cost, including busing, thanks to a sponsorship from OrthoIndy. Learn more at ourhockeyhouse.org/event-details/hollidaypark2026.
Recreational curling leagues for youth and adults, in particular, have been extremely popular, with initial offerings selling out within days. Curling is offered in partnership with Circle City Athletics.
Families can also expect upcoming events, including a popular Valentine’s Day package and a three-on-three hockey tournament in February. With the Winter Olympics on the horizon, the Holliday Park Ice Rink is planning to pay homage to competitive winter sports, with Olympics-themed entertainment planned for Feb. 6–22.
“Right now, we are everyone’s backyard rink, and we want to keep it that way,” Clyne says. “We’ve been told we have a Hallmark feeling. We strive to make a space where everyone feels invited. But make no mistake, we’re in this for the long run, and we’re excited to see what the future brings.”
With interest in the NHL climbing in recent years, Indianapolis is seeing increased participation in youth and adult hockey programs. Nearby Westfield is also planning to add four ice rinks to accommodate the growing interest. Clyne is hopeful the Holliday Park Ice Rink can expand in coming years to provide even more opportunities for youth hockey.
“We’re just excited to keep our momentum and bring more to local-area families,” he says.
For more information, visit hollidaypark.org/rink.
