Forget hibernation season – the city’s hottest winter trend involves actual ice, possible bruises, and surprisingly addictive fun
Winter in Sydney used to mean hiding indoors with endless cups of tea and Netflix marathons. Not anymore. The city has quietly transformed into an ice skating paradise that’s making even the most dedicated homebodies swap their slippers for skates. Whether you’re channeling Olympic figure skater energy or just trying not to face-plant in front of your crush, these top ice skating rinks in Sydney are exactly what your winter social calendar has been needing.
Darling Harbour’s WINTERFEST: Where Harbour Glam Meets Ice Queen Dreams
The WINTERFEST Ice Rink at Palm Grove delivers that movie-set magic you didn’t know you needed in your life. Picture this: you’re gliding across pristine ice with Sydney Harbour twinkling in the background, and fairy lights creating the perfect atmosphere.
This isn’t just about the skating – though the open-air rink itself is impressive. The four-day WINTERFEST celebration transforms Darling Harbour into a winter wonderland with kids karaoke, snowman making and an Amazing Arctic Race.
The real magic happens during the Winter Skies Fireworks sessions. Imagine skating under actual fireworks as they explode overhead – it’s the kind of experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Ice Zoo: The Disco Fever Meets Frozen Fantasy
Ice Zoo has been a Sydney ice skating institution for over 30 years, currently operating from Mascot while waiting for its shiny new Wolli Creek location to open its doors. Featuring daily skating sessions, private lessons, and a fully licenced cafe serving up hot meals and drinks, it’s fitted out to supply your every need.
The Saturday night disco skating sessions are pure genius, featuring a frozen dance floor, DJ sets and light shows. It’s the best place to make new friends and glide along to the beat.
At $22 for adults (plus $4 skate hire), it’s accessible enough for “let’s do something spontaneous” decisions and date nights. The private rink-side Ice Zoo Igloos are basically the coolest party venue – perfect for birthdays or intimate celebrations, and featuring easy access to the ice for hours of skating fun.
Stars On Ice Pop-Ups: The Traveling Winter Circus
The team behind Stars On Ice deserves serious credit for understanding that great ice skating experiences don’t need to be permanent to be absolutely magical. Their pop-up rinks appear across Sydney throughout the winter festive season, making for a perfect day out with the family.
The Bondi Festival Ice Rink (July 4-20, 2025) invites you to grab a coffee, skate some laps, and then hit the waves all in one afternoon. Push-along penguins and skates of all sizes make it accessible for even the smallest of skaters, while ice skating lessons with champion figure skaters are run every Saturday for the whole festival.
Meanwhile, Chill Fest Campbelltown (July 4-20, 2025) goes absolutely all-in on winter festival vibes. We’re talking roaming performers, dazzling light displays, and artificial snowfall that creates proper winter magic regardless of the actual weather.
Beyond the City: Ice Adventures Worth the Journey
Sometimes the best experiences require a bit of travel, and Sydney’s extended ice skating options definitely fall into this category. The Blue Mountains’ Fairmont Resort offers a 600-square-meter ice rink surrounded by actual mountain scenery. As well as regular skating lessons, you are also invited to join a ‘stick and puck’ class to discover the basics of ice hockey. Or, join a coffee club session to learn some new skills with Coach Linda before enjoying a warm cup of coffee with new friends.
The Central Coast’s Erina Ice Arena, located inside Erina Fair shopping centre, is an olympic-sized facility perfect for beginners and experts. On Friday and Saturday nights, the ice disco kicks off with colourful lights and pumping music. Here, you’re also welcome to join the ice hockey league and make use of the dedicated rinks, or join a figure skating lesson to create artistic and skillful icy performances.
For those planning the best birthday party ever, Erina Ice Arena will plan the event for you, including ice disco access with complimentary skates, a private party room, food for every guest, invitations and lolly bags. It doesn’t get better than that.
Can’t get enough of these ice skating rinks in Sydney? To read about our favourite winter activities all throughout the city, click here.
