Jacksonville’s First Outdoor Ice Rink Is Coming to Downtown: Read Before You Lace Up

Jacksonville’s First Outdoor Ice Rink Is Coming to Downtown: Read Before You Lace Up

 

Yes, you read that right: downtown Jacksonville is getting a real outdoor ice rink.

From November 28, 2025, through January 19, 2026, the new JAX Artist Walk on Ice will bring ice skating, holiday lights, and a festive market to Artist Walk Park at 718 Riverside Ave, just across from the Riverside Arts Market and the Cummer Museum on the Northbank of the St. Johns River.

It’s being billed as Jacksonville’s first-ever outdoor ice skating rink, and it anchors the city’s new Jacksonville Holiday River Fest lineup alongside the Light Boat Parade, Christmas tree lighting at Riverfront Plaza, and a silent disco at Friendship Fountain.

If you’ve ever said, “Jacksonville needs an outdoor ice rink,” this is literally that wish coming true.

 

Key Details at a Glance

  • Event name: JAX Artist Walk on Ice & Holiday Market
  • Location: Artist Walk Park, 718 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204 (under the Fuller Warren Bridge, across from Riverside Arts Market)
  • Season dates: Nov. 28, 2025 – Jan. 19, 2026
  • General admission: $17 + $1.50 fee + tax, includes skate rental and about 75 minutes on the ice (prices subject to change)
  • Regular hours:
  • Mon–Thurs: 4–9 p.m.
  • Fri: 4–10 p.m.
  • Sat: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
  • Sun: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
  • Holiday hours: Extended daytime hours during Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, with special hours on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
  • Website & tickets: JaxOnIce.com (advance tickets strongly recommended)

Where Is the Jacksonville Outdoor Ice Rink?

The rink is set at Artist Walk Park, a new public space along Riverside Avenue, tucked directly beneath the Fuller Warren Bridge and just steps from the Riverside Arts Market (RAM) and the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.

That puts the outdoor ice rink squarely in the Riverside/Avondale–Downtown Jacksonville corridor, with easy access from I-95, the Brooklyn neighborhood, and the Northbank Riverwalk.

Parking

According to Visit Jacksonville, skaters can use complimentary parking lots across Riverside Avenue from the Cummer Museum entrance and at Riverside & Post Street, along with accessible parking near the museum’s Art Connections entrance.

In other words: you’re not circling a downtown garage for 30 minutes with kids in skates. Park, cross the street, and you’re there.

Hours, Tickets, and Discount Days

The outdoor ice rink is designed to work for after-work outings, weekend family time, and holiday visitors.

Regular Hours

From late November through mid-January, the rink runs:

  • Monday–Thursday: 4 p.m.–9 p.m.
  • Friday: 4 p.m.–10 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
  • Sunday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

During Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, many days shift to 10 a.m.–10 p.m., with special hours on major holidays (for example, shorter daytime windows on Christmas Eve/Day and New Year’s Eve/Day). Always confirm the latest schedule before you go.

Ticket Pricing

  • General admission: $17 + $1.50 fee + tax, including skate rental and about 75 minutes of ice time.
  • Tickets are sold in timed sessions; your 75 minutes begins at check-in.

You can buy online in advance (highly recommended for peak times) or purchase on-site, where you’ll scan a QR code and check out from your phone if there’s space left in that session.

Discount & Theme Nights

The rink is also planning a slate of deal days and special events:

  • Cheapskate Mondays – select Mondays (Dec. 1, 8, 15 and Jan. 12) with $10 skate sessions.
  • Military & First Responder discounts – select midweek dates where eligible guests (and up to four people with them) skate for $15 per person with ID.
  • College Night pricing – college students with valid ID can also skate for $15 on select dates.
  • Rush Hour Skating – discounted $13 sessions from 4–5 p.m. on certain weekdays.
  • Skating with Santa and Jaguars Game Day Swag Nights sprinkled across the season.

Exact dates and any new promotions will live on JaxOnIce.com and the rink’s official social channels.

What to Expect at JAX Artist Walk on Ice & Holiday Market

This isn’t just a rectangle of ice and a few rental skates. The city is pitching it as a full winter destination in Riverside:

  • A real outdoor ice rink under the bridge, with lights and music
  • A Holiday Market curated by Riverside Arts Market (RAM) featuring local makers and seasonal treats
  • Festive decor and entertainment as part of the broader Jacksonville Holiday River Fest lineup

The Holiday Market at RAM will run every Friday–Sunday during rink season, typically:

  • Fridays: 5–8 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 2–8 p.m.
  • Sundays: 2–8 p.m.

That means you can lace up, skate a session, then wander through local vendors for gifts, snacks, and hot drinks; without ever leaving the riverfront.

Ice Skating in Jacksonville: Rentals, Sizes, and Accessibility

The rink operator, Ice Rink Events, is supplying the ice and gear, and they’ve handled seasonal rinks all over the country.

Here’s what they say you can expect:

  • Skate rental is included with your ticket.
  • Sizes run from Toddler 8 through Adult 15, and they offer double-runner skates for very young children.
  • You can bring your own skates as long as they’re in safe condition.
  • Skate aids (those supportive frames beginners can push) are available to rent for around $8, first-come, first-served.
  • The rink is wheelchair accessible under specific guidelines; wheelchair users wear skates while the assisting person wears ice cleats provided by the rink. Both must sign waivers.

Tickets are non-refundable, but if storms roll in or you need to change your time, the rink allows rescheduling based on availability.

How the Outdoor Ice Rink Fits Into Downtown Jacksonville’s Holiday Plans

JAX Artist Walk on Ice isn’t happening in isolation; it’s part of the bigger Jacksonville Holiday River Fest, which stretches across both sides of the river. The city has bundled multiple waterfront events into one evening and season-long experience:

  • Christmas Tree Lighting at Riverfront Plaza
  • Jacksonville Light Boat Parade & Fireworks along the St. Johns
  • JAX Artist Walk on Ice & Holiday Market in Riverside
  • Holiday Silent Disco at Friendship Fountain on the Southbank

For locals, this means you can build an entire “winter in Jacksonville” weekend around the river:

  • Skate at Artist Walk
  • Grab dinner in Riverside, Brooklyn, or Downtown
  • Walk over to the tree lighting or boat parade
  • End with fireworks or the silent disco

The outdoor rink gives Jacksonville something it hasn’t really had before: a signature holiday experience that feels wintery without leaving the 904.

Tips for Making the Most of the Jacksonville Outdoor Ice Rink

A few quick suggestions if you’re planning a visit:

  • Book early for prime times. Sunset and weekend sessions will go fast; reserve online when you can.
  • Dress in layers. It’s still North Florida: afternoons can be warm, evenings cool off by the river.
  • Bring long socks. Rental skates + low socks = annoyed ankles. The rink explicitly recommends socks.
  • Plan around traffic and bridges. On big Holiday River Fest nights, expect road closures on Main Street Bridge, Acosta, and downtown streets, especially around the boat parade and fireworks.
  • Build in extra time for the Holiday Market. Don’t just skate and dash; the RAM-curated market is designed to be part of the experience.

FAQ: Downtown Jacksonville Outdoor Ice Rink

Is this really Jacksonville’s first outdoor ice rink?
For downtown Jacksonville and the riverfront, yes. City and media announcements describe JAX Artist Walk on Ice as the first-ever outdoor ice skating rink in downtown Jacksonville. 

Where is the Jacksonville outdoor ice rink located?
At Artist Walk Park, 718 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204, across from the Cummer Museum and near Riverside Arts Market, on the Northbank of the St. Johns River.

How much is ice skating in Jacksonville at JAX Artist Walk on Ice?
Plan for $17 + $1.50 fee + tax per skater, which includes skate rental and a 75-minute session, with select discount nights and Rush Hour pricing.

Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
You don’t have to, but the rink strongly encourages it. Sessions are capacity-limited, and walk-ups will be directed to buy whatever’s left via QR code on their phone.

Where can I find the latest info?
Check the official site at JaxOnIce.com plus the City of Jacksonville Holiday River Fest page and Visit Jacksonville’s event listing for the most current hours, pricing, and weather updates.

 

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