Outdoor ice skating returned to downtown Knoxville when Holidays on Ice, presented by Home Federal Bank, opened for the season Friday. The day after Thanksgiving also marked the beginning of Christmas in the City, which officially began with the Regal Celebration of Lights tree-lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. at the Krutch Park Extension.
Downtown’s centerpiece of holiday merriment will receive a slight makeover this year, reports the city’s Director of Special Events Judith Foltz. The Central Business Improvement District has commissioned artist Lauren Lazarus to paint a new ornament-themed mural on the ice rink’s chiller wall. Located on the north end of the rink near the Market Square pavilion, the mural is the ideal spot for selfies and group photos during Christmas in the City events.
“In previous years we’ve featured our mascot Peppermint Panda in the mural, but we thought it was time to freshen things up,” Foltz said. “We’re excited to see Lauren’s work on the square and as the backdrop for visitors’ holiday pictures.”
In addition to the new mural, the artificial Christmas trees that have adorned the north end of the ice rink will be replaced by wooden trees and a snow globe painted by staff members at the Knoxville Fine Arts and Crafts Center. Materials for the trees were donated by The Home Depot.
Holidays on Ice sponsors include the City of Knoxville, Home Federal Bank, Regal, Pilot Flying J, WBIR-TV 10, B97.5, Holston Gases and Knoxville Ice Bears.
Special guests and theme nights are:
- Mondays: Skate with hockey players from the Knoxville Ice Bears and their mascot Chilly Bear. Skaters receive $2 off admission with an Ice Bears ticket stub.
- Tuesdays: Peppermint Panda. Skaters who wear red & white / peppermint attire get $1 off admission.
- Wednesdays: Christmas Sweater Night. Skaters wearing Christmas sweaters and sweatshirts receive $1 off admission, and the most festive skater will win a prize!
- Thursdays: College Night. Skaters get $2 off admission with a college ID.
- Fridays and Saturdays: Get down and boogie on the ice with disco lights and retro tunes spun by Knox Vegas DJ.
- Sundays: Family Fun Day
Regular hours Nov. 23 – Dec. 16*
- Monday through Thursday: 4-9 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Sunday: 1-9 p.m.
*On Saturday, Dec. 15, the Cool Sports Mites and Mini Mites youth ice hockey leagues will hold their Winter Classic Tournament on the ice rink, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. The rink will reopen for public skating 1:30 -10 p.m.
Extended hours Dec. 17 – 30 and Jan. 2 – 6
- Monday through Thursday, plus Sunday: 1-8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Special holiday hours:
- Christmas Eve: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Christmas Day: Closed
- Dec. 26: 1-9 p.m.
- New Year’s Eve: 1-10 p.m.
- New Year’s Day: 1-9 p.m.
The rink will be closed during inclement weather as it occurs.
Admission (which includes skate rental and unlimited skating time) is $11 ($8 children 12 and under). Season passes are $50 ($35 children 12 and under). All tickets and passes are sold at the rink entrance; season passes are available online at KnoxvilleTN.gov/cybersale.
Visit KnoxvilleTN.gov/icerink or Facebook.com/KnoxvillesHolidaysonIce for closure announcements and additional information, as well as a downloadable skater liability form.
Notice prepared by city of Knoxville public information staff.