Ice skating in Rotterdam 2026-27: rinks, dates and prices

ROTTERDAM, 13 November 2026 | Looking for somewhere to go ice skating in Rotterdam this winter? The 2026-27 season brings three announced skating locations in the city, from the colourful 400-metre track at Schaatsbaan Rotterdam to a family-friendly rink at Plaswijckpark and a new riverside skating experience on Noordereiland. Here's where to skate, when the rinks open and what you can expect to pay.

Plaswijckpark opens its covered real-ice rink on 14 November, followed by Schaatsbaan Rotterdam's full winter season on 21 November. Then, on 6 December, the new Schaatsen op de Maas is scheduled to open beside the river. We've also included several nearby rinks worth considering if you're happy to travel beyond Rotterdam.

Ice skating in Rotterdam 2026-27 at a glance

Dates refer to the 2026-27 winter season. Ticket prices and opening hours may vary by session, age and booking method. Always check the organiser's latest information before travelling.

Schaatsbaan Rotterdam

Schaatsbaan Rotterdam remains the city's main dedicated winter rink. Its biggest attraction is the covered 400-metre skating track beneath the colourful rainbow tunnel, which is especially impressive when the lights come on in the late afternoon.

Beginners, families and younger children can use the separate 800 m² Funbaan, while more experienced skaters can enjoy the full-length track. The venue also offers skating lessons, curling and other winter activities.

The Funbaan opened early during the October school holiday, from 17 to 25 October 2026. That preview has now finished, and the full winter season begins on Saturday 21 November 2026, continuing through Saturday 27 February 2027.

The rink normally opens at 08:00, closing at 22:00 from Sunday to Thursday and 23:00 on Friday and Saturday. There is an important exception on Mondays, when access after 17:45 is largely reserved for experienced speed skaters and skating-course participants. Special skating hours and resurfacing breaks also apply.

The rainbow lighting on the 400-metre track is scheduled to switch on from 16:00 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets and skate hire

Single admission starts at €9.50, with dynamic pricing depending on the selected time slot and demand. Booking online is recommended, and purchasing admission at the entrance costs €1 extra.

Hockey-skate rental starts at €7.50, while speed-skate rental starts at €9. Helmets cost €3 to hire, and beginner skating aids are available from €2.50. Gloves are compulsory on the ice.

A spectator or accompanying ticket costs €5, and Rotterdampas holders can currently use a one-time €1 admission offer, excluding skate rental and booking costs. Children up to and including three years old enter free.

The venue also offers accessible skating frames for children who need additional physical support, available to reserve for €7.50 per visit.

Skating at Schaatsbaan Rotterdam

How to get to Schaatsbaan Rotterdam

Schaatsbaan Rotterdam is at Toepad 95, 3063 NJ Rotterdam, at the RHV Leonidas sports complex in Kralingen. Parking is limited, so public transport or cycling may be more convenient, particularly at weekends.

The venue has announced plans for a possible relocation to Rotterdam The Hague Airport in autumn 2028, but that move depends on further research and permits. It will remain at Toepad for the current season and is expected to operate there again in winter 2027-28.

For current opening hours, admission and equipment hire, visit the official Schaatsbaan Rotterdam website.

Schaatsen op de Maas: Ice skating beside Rotterdam's waterfront

One of this winter's newest attractions is Schaatsen op de Maas, a temporary ice rink planned for the former bridgehead on Noordereiland, beside Bar Tij and overlooking the Nieuwe Maas.

Scheduled to operate from 6 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, the rink combines skating on real ice with views of Rotterdam's waterfront and skyline. The setting promises a rather different experience from the city's conventional skating venues.

Christmas lights, winter trees and wooden stalls are planned around the rink, with refreshments available nearby. A large canopy will provide some protection from the weather, while the organisers are planning skating activities and special events throughout the season.

The rink is expected to accommodate approximately 150 skaters at a time, and its published general opening hours are 10:00 to 22:00 daily. However, some periods may be reserved for schools or organised activities, so check public skating availability when booking.

Tickets and skate hire can be reserved online using designated time slots. Exact admission and rental prices had not been independently confirmed at the time of this update.

This is an especially interesting option if you're looking for an atmospheric winter outing rather than serious speed skating. It's also one of the few places where you can combine an afternoon or evening on the ice with a view across the Maas.

Location: Former bridgehead beside Bar Tij, Maaskade, Noordereiland, Rotterdam.

For further background and visitor information, read our dedicated article about Schaatsen op de Maas. The organiser's website is schaatsenopdemaas.nl.

Plaswijckpark's real-ice rink

Plaswijckpark in Hillegersberg-Schiebroek is another excellent choice, particularly if you're visiting with younger children. Its smaller, covered real-ice rink opens on Saturday 14 November 2026, allowing families to combine skating with the park's playgrounds and animal attractions.

The rink is located beneath the covered play structure beside the Paviljoen aan de Plas. Children who are still learning can use double-bladed skates and beginner skating aids, while visitors can borrow ordinary skates free of charge.

You may bring your own figure skates or ice-hockey skates, but speed skates are not allowed. Gloves are compulsory, and anyone who forgets theirs can purchase a pair at Pannenkoek aan de Plas for €3.50.

Plaswijckpark's wider Winterwijck programme runs from 1 December 2026 to 28 February 2027, adding seasonal games and activities to the normal park experience. The skating rink opens earlier, on 14 November.

The rink operates during the park's winter opening hours and closes half an hour before the park itself. Plaswijckpark is closed on Christmas Day, 25 December, and New Year's Day, 1 January. Shorter hours also apply on several other holiday dates.

Tickets and skate hire

Regular admission to Plaswijckpark costs €17.75 online or €18.75 at the entrance for visitors aged two and above. Children aged zero and one enter free.

Use of the ice rink and skate borrowing are included in park admission, so there is no additional skating charge.

If you're planning several visits, Plaswijckpark offers a winter subscription costing €36.50 online or €37.50 at the entrance. It is valid from 1 November 2026 to 20 March 2027, although the rink itself is a seasonal attraction.

Ice skating at Plaswijckpark in Rotterdam

How to get to Plaswijckpark

Plaswijckpark is located at Ringdijk 20, 3053 KS Rotterdam, in the Hillegersberg-Schiebroek area. It is a good choice if you want to spend several hours in one place rather than visit a rink on its own.

Check the official Plaswijckpark skating page for up-to-date opening hours and seasonal arrangements.

What about skating at Blijdorp?

Diergaarde Blijdorp introduced ice skating as part of its 2025-26 Winters Blijdorp programme. The zoo combined the rink with other winter activities, evening openings and festive attractions.

However, as of 13 November 2026, we have not found a confirmed ice-skating programme for winter 2026-27. The previous edition should therefore not be treated as confirmation that skating will return this season.

If another rink is announced, we will update this guide. In the meantime, check the official Rotterdam Zoo website for its current winter programme.

Will Winterfeest op Zuid return?

Winterfeest op Zuid brought free ice skating to Gooilandsingel in December 2025, alongside music, games and other family activities.

We have not found confirmed dates for a new skating edition in 2026. The event's previous December date belonged to the 2025 programme and should not be assumed to recur automatically.

For now, Schaatsbaan Rotterdam, Plaswijckpark and the announced Schaatsen op de Maas event are the more useful choices when planning an ice-skating outing in Rotterdam this winter.

Nearby ice rinks worth the trip

If you don't mind travelling beyond Rotterdam, there are several other places to skate in South Holland. Some operate throughout much of the winter season, while others are temporary Christmas attractions.

IJsbaan Dordrecht, city-centre pop-up

Dordrecht's covered seasonal ice rink returns to the Spuiboulevard from 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, following a successful first edition that attracted more than 20,000 visitors.

The temporary rink sits over the Spuihaven, with a winter terrace, refreshments and additional seasonal activities nearby. Its programme includes public skating, school sessions and occasional themed events.

Admission costs €7, and skate hire is €4. Opening hours vary, particularly on school days and during the Christmas holidays, so check the official IJsbaan Dordrecht website before travelling.

Location: Spuiboulevard, Dordrecht.

Schaatsbaan Dordrecht, Sportboulevard

If you prefer a permanent indoor rink rather than a seasonal Christmas attraction, Sportboulevard Dordrecht has a 275-metre speed-skating track, a 30 by 60 metre ice-hockey rink and a smaller Funbaan.

Current recreational admission is €10.25 per person, while spectators who are not skating pay €2.50. Skate hire is available separately, with hockey and figure skates currently priced at €8.05 per pair.

Public skating sessions vary according to the day's activities, so consult the official Schaatsbaan Dordrecht website for the latest timetable.

Address: Fanny Blankers-Koenweg 10, 3318 AX Dordrecht.

De Uithof, The Hague

De Uithof is one of the larger ice-skating centres within easy reach of Rotterdam. It has a full 400-metre track, a Funrink for recreational skating and other ice-sports facilities.

Its 400-metre track and Funrink are scheduled to remain open through 21 March 2027, giving visitors a longer skating season than Rotterdam's temporary rinks.

Online admission starts at €10.50 during quieter periods and can rise to €12.50 during busy holiday sessions. Standard skate hire starts at €8.50. A discounted student ticket is also available during specified off-peak periods.

Check De Uithof's official ticket information for current prices and opening times.

Address: Jaap Edenweg 10, 2544 NL Den Haag.

IJshal De Vliet, Leiden

IJshal De Vliet in Leiden is another useful alternative, combining a 250-metre track with other ice surfaces and regular recreational skating sessions.

Admission is currently €9 for visitors aged 12 to 64 and €7.50 for children, students and visitors aged 65 and over. The Sunday Family on Ice programme also offers admission at €7.50 per person.

Skate hire starts at €7. A helmet is compulsory during recreational skating sessions, so bring your own or arrange to hire one at the rink.

Visit the official IJshal De Vliet website for current tickets, public skating sessions and safety rules.

Address: Marie Diebenplaats 104, 2324 NG Leiden.

Which ice rink should you choose?

For proper laps, speed skating and the experience of skating beneath Rotterdam's colourful rainbow tunnel, Schaatsbaan Rotterdam is our first choice. If you're visiting with younger children and want to combine skating with indoor playgrounds and other activities, Plaswijckpark is particularly appealing.

If the winter atmosphere matters more than skating technique, Schaatsen op de Maas promises an unusual setting beside the river, complete with waterfront views and seasonal refreshments. It is worth checking the organiser's latest booking information as the December opening approaches.

The permanent ice rinks in Dordrecht, The Hague and Leiden offer additional options, especially later in the season when some of Rotterdam's temporary attractions have closed.

Whatever you choose, remember that opening hours, skate-hire availability and public skating sessions can change during school holidays. A quick check of the venue's own website before setting off is always worthwhile.