London

London's historic outdoor skating rink at Victoria Park opens tonight

London's free outdoor skating at the historic rink at Victoria Park will officially open at 6 p.m. Friday.

The free rink will be open daily throughout the winter

Skaters enjoying the rink at Victoria Park in London, Ont., on Dec. 28, 2022.
Skaters enjoying the rink at Victoria Park in London, Ont., on Dec. 28, 2022. (Travis Dolynny/CBC)

Londoners are invited to lace up their skates and hit the ice at the historic rink at Victoria Park Friday night.

The outdoor skating rink officially opens at 6 p.m., marking the start of the free skating season this winter.

The annual skating rink dates back to 1913 in Victoria Park. It opens one week after the lighting of the lights, which officially marks the start of the holiday season in London. 

The rink is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Skate rentals and sharpening are available at the Kiwanis Memorial Bandshell, along with a concession. Full hours and information is available on the city's website.

While you're downtown, the observation deck at City Hall will also be open on Friday night to view the lights in the park.

The skating rink at Covent Garden Market is closed for the winter this year due to repair work.

The skating trail at Storybook Gardens with reopen at 3 p.m. Friday. For more information, hours and tickets, visit the Storybook Gardens website.