Quick Answer
Richmond-area families and renters have several real options for ice skating this winter. For year-round indoor skating, head to Richmond Ice Zone in North Chesterfield, SkateNation Plus in Short Pump (Glen Allen), Powhatan Ice Den in Powhatan County, or the brand-new Richmond Ice Box, a large hockey and public-skate facility that opened in Chesterfield in the summer of 2026. If you would rather skate outdoors under string lights, Stony Point Fashion Park and Conex RVA have both hosted seasonal pop-up rinks in recent winters, though hours and confirmed return dates change every year, so check each venue’s site before you go.
Indoor Rinks You Can Visit Any Time This Winter
If your winter plans depend on the weather cooperating, an indoor rink is the safer bet. Richmond has a genuinely good lineup of year-round facilities within a reasonable drive of most rental neighborhoods in the metro area, from the West End to the Southside and out into Powhatan County.
Richmond Ice Zone (North Chesterfield / Midlothian)
Richmond Ice Zone, located at 636 Johnston Willis Drive in North Chesterfield near Midlothian Turnpike, is one of the area’s longest-running rinks. It is an Olympic-size indoor sheet with a full public skating schedule, learn-to-skate classes for kids and adults, youth and adult hockey leagues, figure skating programs, and a cafe on site. It is a solid pick for renters in the Midlothian, Bon Air, or Chesterfield Courthouse areas who want a rink close to home. You can check current public skate times and pricing directly at rvaskating.com.
SkateNation Plus (Short Pump / Glen Allen)
On the other side of town, SkateNation Plus sits at 4350 Pouncey Tract Road in Glen Allen, right in the Short Pump shopping corridor. This location pairs an indoor ice rink with laser tag and arcade games, which makes it an easy pick for a birthday party or a rainy-day outing that mixes skating with other activities. It is operated by the same company as Richmond Ice Zone, so public skate schedules and learn-to-skate programs follow a similar format. It is the more convenient option for renters in western Henrico, Short Pump, or the Innsbrook area.
Powhatan Ice Den (Powhatan County)
West of Richmond in Powhatan County, the Powhatan Ice Den at 1580 Oakbridge Terrace opened in 2021 and has become a hub for youth hockey, pickup games, and learn-to-skate lessons, in addition to public skating sessions. It is a single-sheet facility, so it tends to have a more community, small-town feel compared to the bigger rinks closer to the city. Renters living in Powhatan, Goochland, or far western Chesterfield may find this the closest rink to home.
Richmond Ice Box (Chesterfield / Brandermill Area)
The newest addition to the local ice sports scene is Richmond Ice Box, a large new facility at 13100 Tredegar Lake Parkway near River City Sportsplex in the Brandermill area of Chesterfield County. It opened in July 2026 with one NHL-sized rink, a pro shop, locker rooms, and spectator seating, with a second rink planned as part of a future expansion. Alongside youth and adult hockey, figure skating, and tournaments, the facility offers public skating sessions with rental skates available. Because it is so new, it is worth checking its current schedule directly rather than assuming set public skate hours, since programming is still being built out.
Seasonal and Pop-Up Outdoor Rinks
If you are after that classic outdoor ice skating experience, string lights, hot cocoa, and all, Richmond has had a couple of reliable seasonal options in recent years. Outdoor rinks like these are temporary installations, so exact opening dates, hours, and prices are set fresh each year and are not available far in advance.
Stony Point Fashion Park
Stony Point Fashion Park, the outdoor shopping center on Richmond’s Southside near Chippenham Parkway, has brought in a seasonal outdoor ice rink for several winters running, typically opening in mid to late November and running into early January. Past seasons have also included themed skate nights during the week. This has been one of the most consistent seasonal rinks in the area, but the mall sets new dates and hours each year, so check shopstonypoint.com closer to the holidays to confirm whether the rink is returning this winter and what its hours will be.
Conex RVA
Conex RVA, a newer outdoor container-style venue at 900 Axtell Street in Richmond, added a full-size outdoor ice rink as part of its “Winter Wonderland” holiday programming, most recently running from late November 2025 through the first week of January 2026. It is designed as a festive, market-style holiday village with the rink as a centerpiece, which makes it a good option if you want skating paired with holiday shopping, food, and drinks in one outing. As with any pop-up rink, confirm current-year dates and ticket details on their website before planning a visit.
What About Kings Dominion Winterfest?
For years, Kings Dominion in Doswell, north of Richmond, ran a holiday event called Winterfest that included an outdoor rink known as Snowfall Lake, once billed as one of the largest outdoor ice rinks in the country, alongside millions of holiday lights and seasonal shows. If you have skated there in past winters, it is worth knowing that the park cancelled Winterfest starting with the 2025 holiday season as it shifted focus to its 50th anniversary celebrations, and season pass holders were notified about alternative benefits rather than a winter event that year.
As of this writing, Kings Dominion’s published event lineup for the year does not include a winter event or ice rink, and there has been no official announcement confirming Winterfest’s return for this winter. Some industry chatter suggests the park may bring back a winter event in a future season, but nothing is confirmed. If an outdoor rink at Kings Dominion is part of your winter plans, check the park’s official events page directly before you go, since this is exactly the kind of detail that can change from one season to the next.
Comparing Your Ice Skating Options Near Richmond
| Venue | Indoor/Outdoor | General Location | Typical Season | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond Ice Zone | Indoor | North Chesterfield / Midlothian | Year-round | Public skate, lessons, hockey, figure skating |
| SkateNation Plus | Indoor | Glen Allen / Short Pump | Year-round | Public skate, lessons, birthday parties, arcade/laser tag combo |
| Powhatan Ice Den | Indoor | Powhatan County | Year-round | Youth hockey, lessons, public skate |
| Richmond Ice Box | Indoor | Chesterfield (Brandermill area) | Year-round (opened mid-2026) | Public skate, hockey, figure skating, tournaments |
| Stony Point Fashion Park | Outdoor (seasonal) | Richmond, Southside | Roughly mid/late Nov through early Jan, most years | Public skate, casual family outings, holiday shopping trips |
| Conex RVA | Outdoor (seasonal) | Richmond, Carver/Scott’s Addition area | Roughly late Nov through early Jan, most recent season | Public skate, holiday market atmosphere, date nights |
| Kings Dominion Winterfest | Outdoor (historically) | Doswell, north of Richmond | Status uncertain; not confirmed for this winter | Was: large outdoor rink plus holiday lights and rides |
Practical Tips for a Good Skating Trip
What to Wear
Dress in layers you can shed once you warm up from moving around. A close-fitting jacket, gloves, and warm socks matter more than a heavy coat, which can restrict your arms and make falls harder to catch. At outdoor rinks, waterproof or water-resistant pants make a real difference if you end up sitting on the ice more than once.
Renting Skates
Every venue listed above rents skates on site, so you do not need to own a pair before your first visit. If you or your kids end up skating more than a handful of times a season, ask staff about sizing and support, since a properly fitted rental skate makes learning much easier than one that is too loose around the ankle.
Lessons for Beginners
If this is your first time on the ice, or you are bringing a child who has never skated, a group learn-to-skate class is worth the extra cost over just renting skates and heading out onto public skate time. Richmond Ice Zone, SkateNation Plus, Powhatan Ice Den, and Richmond Ice Box all offer some form of learn-to-skate programming, and a single lesson can save you an entire session’s worth of frustration and bruises.
Safety Tips for Young Kids
For younger children, look into rental skate aids or the stability trainers many rinks keep on hand, since these give kids something to hold onto while they build confidence. Keep first-timers near the rink wall rather than in the center, where faster skaters tend to congregate, and set a clear expectation that falling is a normal part of learning rather than something to be afraid of. Helmets are a reasonable option for young or first-time skaters, and some rinks require them for children under a certain age during public sessions.
Checking Current Schedules
Every rink and pop-up in this guide sets its holiday hours, special sessions, and pricing fresh each year, and outdoor rinks in particular can open or close earlier than expected depending on the weather and vendor contracts. Before you plan a trip, especially around the holidays when hours often shift for private events or extended sessions, check the venue’s official website or social media for that week’s public skate times rather than relying on last year’s schedule. For more ideas on what else is happening around town this season, see our Richmond fall guide to the State Fair, Folk Festival and more, and for a rainy or bitterly cold day, our roundup of indoor things to do in Richmond pairs well with a skating trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an ice skating rink open year-round near Richmond?
Yes. Richmond Ice Zone in North Chesterfield, SkateNation Plus in Short Pump, Powhatan Ice Den in Powhatan County, and the new Richmond Ice Box in Chesterfield are all indoor rinks that operate year-round, not just during the winter holiday season.
Is Kings Dominion Winterfest happening this year?
It is not confirmed. Kings Dominion cancelled Winterfest, including its Snowfall Lake outdoor rink, starting with the 2025 holiday season, and its published event lineup does not currently list a winter event. Check Kings Dominion’s official site directly for the latest word before planning a trip around it.
Do outdoor pop-up rinks like Stony Point and Conex RVA come back every year?
Both have run seasonal outdoor rinks in multiple recent winters, but neither is guaranteed to return with the same dates or format every year. Check shopstonypoint.com and Conex RVA’s website in the fall for that season’s confirmed plans.
Do I need to bring my own skates?
No. Every rink and pop-up rink mentioned here offers skate rentals on site, so you can show up without any gear and rent skates for the session.
Are these rinks good for beginners and young kids?
Yes. The indoor rinks in particular offer learn-to-skate classes and often have skate aids or trainers for young children. Outdoor pop-up rinks tend to be more casual and crowded, so a first-timer or a young child may have an easier learning experience at an indoor rink with a dedicated lesson.
How much does it cost to go ice skating near Richmond?
Pricing varies by venue and changes over time, and often differs for public skate admission versus skate rental. Check each rink’s website for current pricing rather than relying on older listings, since holiday and weekend pricing can also differ from regular public skate sessions.
What is the closest indoor rink to downtown Richmond?
Richmond Ice Zone in North Chesterfield and SkateNation Plus in Glen Allen are both a reasonably short drive from downtown Richmond, generally somewhere in the range of 15 to 25 minutes depending on traffic and exactly where downtown you are starting from.
Is ice skating a good group or family outing idea for winter?
Yes. It works well for birthday parties, first dates, work outings, or a weekend family activity, and several venues combine skating with other entertainment like arcades or laser tag, or with holiday shopping and food at the outdoor pop-ups, so you can build a longer outing around the skating itself.
Talk to Mission Realty
If you are searching for a rental home in the Richmond area and want a location close to winter activities like these rinks, local parks, and everything else that makes Richmond a great place to live, visit our residents page or reach out to Mission Realty. Our team knows the Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Goochland, Powhatan, New Kent, Colonial Heights, and Petersburg rental markets well and can help you find a home in the neighborhood that fits your lifestyle.
