Last updated: October 17, 2026. The rink’s official site says it is closed for the season, with plans to reopen in December 2026. Exact dates, hours and prices for 2026-27 have not been published. The details below are from the 2025-26 season and will be updated when the new season is announced.
Robson Square is one of the few places in downtown Vancouver where you can skate outdoors and not pay a cent to get on the ice. The rink has been part of the city’s winter routine since 1982, and the province describes it as Vancouver’s only outdoor public skating rink.
The 2026-27 season has not opened yet. The Robson Square website says plans are to reopen in December 2026, with more information to come as the season approaches. Until then, this guide covers how the 2025-26 season worked, so you know what to expect on prices, hours, rules and the holiday music program.
Robson Square Ice Rink: Quick Facts
| What it is | A free outdoor public skating rink in downtown Vancouver |
| Where | Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver |
| 2026-27 season | Planned reopening in December 2026. Exact dates not yet announced |
| 2025-26 season | November 28, 2025 to February 28, 2026, weather permitting |
| 2025-26 hours | Daily, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with reduced hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day |
| Admission | Free to skate. Skate rentals cost extra |
| Skate rental (2025-26) | $5, with a free helmet |
| Official site | robsonsquare.com |
When Does Robson Square Ice Rink Open in 2026?
The rink is not open yet. According to the Robson Square website, it is closed for the season with plans to reopen in December 2026, and visitors are asked to check back for more information as the new season approaches. No opening date, closing date, hours or prices have been published.
For reference, last year’s season ran from November 28, 2025 to February 28, 2026, seven days a week, weather permitting. This year’s reopening is described as December, which is later than last year’s late-November start, so do not plan around a November opening.
Hours of Operation (2025-26 Reference)
- Regular hours: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, seven days a week.
- Christmas Eve (December 24): 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Christmas Day (December 25): 12:00 to 5:00 PM.
- Boxing Day (December 26): 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Skate rental ended 30 minutes before closing. Warm weather can cause unexpected closures, and in 2025-26 the rink listed a hotline for updates, 604-646-3554. Confirm the number and the hours on the official site once the 2026-27 season is announced.
Skate Rentals and Prices (2025-26 Reference)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Skate rental | $5.00 |
| Ice cleat rental | $2.00 |
| Skate sharpening (when available) | $5.00 |
- Prices included tax.
- Payment by Visa, Mastercard, American Express and debit was accepted.
- Helmets were free with a skate rental.
- Helmets were mandatory for children aged 12 and under.
- Guests had to accept a release of liability and assumption of risks agreement at the time of purchase.
The province also offered free skate rentals on Family Day in February 2026. Whether the same offer returns in 2027 has not been announced.
Rink Rules and Safety
The rink publishes a short list of rules, which is worth reading before you bring kids:
- Helmets are strongly recommended for everyone and mandatory for ages 12 and under.
- Children in strollers or wheelchairs on the ice must wear helmets.
- Only skates or approved ice grips are allowed on the ice.
- Skate in the forward direction only.
- No hockey, figure skating or reckless skating.
- Children must be supervised.
- No earphones, cellphones, food, drinks, umbrellas or pets on the ice.
- No smoking or vaping on or near the rink.
- Skate at your own risk.
These were the 2025-26 rules. Check the official site for any changes when the rink reopens.
Live Music: The Twelve Days of Christmas Program
Each December, the rink has hosted a program of live music from local performers. In 2025-26, the province described live music nightly from December 13 to 24, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, plus weekend afternoons. The program included local musicians, choirs, jazz groups, DJs and holiday ensembles. For reference, the 2025 lineup was:
| Date | Time | Act |
|---|---|---|
| December 13 | 1:30 to 3:20 PM | Vancouver Tuba Christmas |
| December 13 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM | Tamara Rhodes Trio |
| December 14 | 2:30 to 4:15 PM | Perry Ehrlich’s ShowStoppers |
| December 14 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM | PK3 Jazz Trio |
| December 15 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM | British Columbia Regiment Band Society |
| December 16 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM | Rumba Calzada |
| December 17 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM | Top Line Vocal Collective and Friends |
| December 18 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM | Deep Cutzzz |
| December 19 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM | Daryle Dean Flamenco Guitar |
| December 20 | 12:00 to 1:15 PM | The Heartbeats |
| December 20 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM | DJ Mike So? and J’aded |
| December 21 | 2:30 to 4:15 PM and 6:00 to 9:00 PM | DJ Barron S |
| December 22 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM | Marlin Ramazzini |
| December 23 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM | Malcolm Aiken |
| December 24 | 1:00 to 4:00 PM | Scott Robertson’s Swing Patrol |
| December 31 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM | DJ El-Nino (New Year’s Eve special) |
This is last year’s lineup, not this year’s. The 2026-27 music program has not been announced, and acts and dates change from year to year.
Other Features in 2025-26
- Theme nights: the province listed theme nights throughout January and February.
- Concession stand: hot chocolate and snacks were sold at the rink.
- School skate program: a program for Lower Mainland students in grades 4 to 7. The province said it included 5,838 students from 74 schools in 2024-25.
Getting to Robson Square
Robson Square is at 800 Robson Street, in the middle of downtown Vancouver. The official page does not list transit or parking details, so here is general guidance:
- By transit: the area is well served by SkyTrain and buses. Vancouver City Centre Station on the Canada Line and Granville Station are both within walking distance, so check a trip planner for your route.
- By car: downtown parking is limited and expensive, particularly on evenings and weekends in December, so transit is usually simpler.
- On foot: the rink is a natural stop on a downtown holiday walk, with shopping and other events a short distance away.
Tips for Skating at Robson Square
- Check before you go. The rink is weather dependent and the 2026-27 opening date is not set, so confirm it is open before you head downtown.
- Bring your own skates if you have them. It saves the rental fee.
- Wear gloves and layers. It is an outdoor rink in December, so dress for the weather and for falls.
- Helmets for kids. They are mandatory for ages 12 and under, and free with a rental.
- Arrive early for rentals. Rental closed 30 minutes before the rink did in 2025-26.
- Plan around the music. If a music program returns, check its schedule, since the 2025 evening sets ran from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Robson Square Ice Rink open in 2026?
The official site says plans are to reopen in December 2026. Exact dates have not been published.
Is skating at Robson Square free?
Admission to the ice is free. Skate rentals were $5 in the 2025-26 season, with a free helmet.
What are the hours?
In 2025-26, the rink was open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, with reduced hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The 2026-27 hours have not been announced.
Do I need to bring my own skates?
No. Rentals were available daily in 2025-26 for $5, and you could also bring your own.
Do children need helmets?
Helmets were mandatory for children aged 12 and under, and free with a skate rental.
Is there live music?
In 2025-26, there was live music nightly from December 13 to 24, plus weekend afternoons. The 2026-27 program has not been announced.
What happens in warm weather?
Warm weather can cause unexpected closures. Check the official site for updates before you go.
Where is the rink?
Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver.
Sources: Robson Square, Government of British Columbia; Government of British Columbia news release, November 2025.
