Guide to Moscow's Open Ice Rinks 2025-2026

With the onset of cold weather, the most popular question among fans of active winter, yet urban, recreation is – when will the ice rinks open in Moscow? After all, one so eagerly wants to glide across the ice to music, holding a cup of hot cocoa. This season, the capital, as always, has prepared many venues – from gigantic ice fields to cozy, intimate rinks in historic gardens.

If you are planning a winter weekend in the capital and want to personally appreciate the scale of the ice rinks, it's worth taking care of logistics in advance and purchasing tickets Saint Petersburg – Moscow, because in December and January, the number of people wishing to visit the golden-domed city becomes incredibly high. We have compiled a detailed guide so that you know exactly where to find an ice rink in Moscow, which one is right for you, and don't miss the start of the season.

When to Expect the Start

Traditionally, Moscow's ice rinks are divided into two types: those with artificial ice and those with natural ice.

1. Artificial ice rinks. Do not depend on weather whims and positive temperatures. Thanks to special cooling systems, such venues can operate even at +10°C. When will these types of rinks open in Moscow? Usually, the season starts in late November (20-25th). It is on these dates that the country's main venues – at VDNKh and Gorky Park – officially open.
2. Natural ice rinks. Here, everything depends on the weather. To create quality ice, a stable sub-zero temperature (around -5°C) for several days and a snow "cushion" are needed. Therefore, the answer to when natural ice rinks open in Moscow is usually variable – most often it's mid-December.

GUM-Rink on Red Square

If you ask a tourist which ice rink in Moscow is the most beautiful and famous, the answer will be unequivocal – the one on Red Square. The GUM-Rink is the quintessence of a New Year's postcard. Skating with a view of the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, and the historic facade of GUM, adorned with thousands of lights, is an experience for a lifetime. The rink will operate from December 1, 2025, to March 1, 2026.

• Atmosphere: The spirit of a retro holiday reigns here. This year, the design is chosen in the Dymkovo toy style. This place is not about sports and speed skating (the rink is relatively small, accommodating about 450 people), but about aesthetics and photography.
• Infrastructure: warm changing rooms, skate rental (including figure and hockey skates), assistants ("penguins" and "pandas") for children. After the session, you can stroll through the GUM Fair, which operates right there.
• Nuances: tickets must be purchased online in advance, as there are many interested visitors. Morning sessions on weekdays are often free (but skate rental is paid separately). Operating hours are from 09:00 to 23:30.

VDNKh Ice Rink

VDNKh traditionally competes for the title of the largest ice rink not only in Moscow but also in the world. The ice surface here is laid on the Main Alley, circling the famous "Friendship of Peoples" and "Stone Flower" fountains. Skating will be available from November 25, and the grand opening will take place on November 28-29, 2025. On weekdays, the rink will operate from 11:00 to 23:00, and on weekends – from 10:00 to 23:00. Technical break – from 15:00 to 17:00.

• Scale: The ice surface area exceeds 20,000 square meters. This is a real ice city with its own streets, intersections, and squares. Even if there are many people, thanks to the vast space, it never feels crowded.
• Atmosphere: The design theme changes every year, but it is always grand. The illumination here is a separate art form. The ice is lit from within, and pedestrian bridges shine overhead. This is an ideal place for those who love long rides and a sense of spaciousness.
• Service: Several rental pavilions to avoid queues. Food courts operate directly on the ice, where you can skate up to grab hot pancakes or drink tea without removing your gear.

Gorky Park

The Gorky Park ice rink is always about style, fashion, and modern trends. This year, for the first time, a rink will be set up near the main entrance arch with a New Year's tree in the center. The main rink along the alleys will also be there, so no need to worry.

• Concept: Each year, the park chooses a new design theme, which dictates the music, light installations, and pavilion decor. This is the most "party-like" rink in the capital. It features a Media Hub where live concerts and DJ sets take place, with sound broadcast throughout the park.
• Ice: High-quality artificial surface. The rink area is huge, allowing for real journeys through the park.
• Amenities: Gorky Park has one of the most developed infrastructures. A huge rental pavilion (which, however, can have queues during peak hours), many cafes and restaurants accessible directly from the ice. There is a separate hockey box and a children's rink.
• Feature: An enhanced comfort pavilion for those who don't want to crowd into the general changing room and are willing to pay extra for service and a separate exit to the ice.

"South Pole" in Luzhniki

If you are looking for ice rinks in Moscow that combine spaciousness and a sporting spirit, head to "Luzhniki". The "South Pole" rink is located next to the Grand Sports Arena. In the 2025-26 season, the rink will occupy both the central square and the side alleys, so its capacity will be 3,000 people.

• Features: This is a single ice space with an area of 16,000 sq. m. The ice here is professionally laid, as this is the territory of the country's main sports complex. This year, cafes and restaurants, lighting, and installations will appear around the perimeter of the rink, and a 16-meter decorated Christmas tree will be in the center. Separate play areas will be created for children.
• Comfort: warm changing rooms, rental, skate sharpening. There are often slightly fewer people here than in Gorky Park, which makes skating more free and comfortable for beginners.

Hermitage Garden Ice Rink

For those who don't like giant scales and noisy crowds, the Hermitage Garden will be an ideal refuge. This is one of the coziest and most romantic places in Moscow.

• Two rinks: The Hermitage usually operates two rinks. One has artificial ice (smaller, but works in any weather), the second has natural ice (large, laid out on the alleys of the shady part of the garden).
• Atmosphere: The spirit of old Moscow reigns here. Openwork gazebos, intimate lighting, jazz music. People come here for dates, to slowly glide hand-in-hand under falling snow.
• Service: warm rental pavilion, cloakroom, cozy cafes with mulled wine and pastries right on the garden grounds.

"Ice" Rink in Sokolniki

Sokolniki Park offers a unique combination of modern technology and the feeling of a countryside retreat. It has a very impressive area of 5,300 square meters. There are rental points, which will please those who don't have their own pair of skates, a cloakroom, cafes, and food stalls where you can grab a hot drink and a snack.

• "Ice" Rink: Located on Festival Square. This is a modern venue with an artificial surface, whose boards glow with neon lights. Themed parties and master classes are often held here.
• Natural ice: In frosty weather, the Great Circle and the 1st Radial Glade are flooded in Sokolniki. This is an opportunity to skate in a real forest, among ancient trees.
• Giant: Often, the so-called "Giant" rink is flooded in Sokolniki, using the natural landscape of the park, but its operation is entirely weather-dependent.

Bauman Garden Ice Rink

Another place for those seeking solitude in the center. The Bauman Garden ice rink is small (about 1000 sq. m), but very "homely". There is a luggage storage and skate rental point. The rink usually operates from 10:00 to 22:00; it's best to arrive for your session in advance.

• Pros: Artificial ice allows skating at positive temperatures (up to +10°C). Its central location (near Krasnye Vorota metro station) makes it convenient for spontaneous visits after work.
• Atmosphere: A canopy of garlands is stretched over the ice, creating an incredibly warm glow in the evening. There's a cafe nearby, and old good movies are often shown on a large screen right on the street.

Free Ice Rinks of "Moscow Seasons"

Speaking of Moscow's ice rinks, one cannot fail to mention the "Moscow Seasons" project. Annually, as part of the winter festival, over 20 artificial ice rinks open in various districts of the capital. This year there will be 26, 25 of which will be free to visit with your own equipment.

• Accessibility: Only skate rental is paid for if you don't have your own. Operating hours are from 11:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and from 10:00 to 22:00 on weekends.
• Location: From Revolution Square in the very center to residential areas (Mitino, Novokosino, Butovo, etc.). This is a great opportunity to skate on professional ice near home.
• Entertainment: 10 venues have already planned theatrical performances by figure skaters – the program includes shows based on Russian fairy tales.
• Important: Despite free entry, pre-registration is required on the "Winter in Moscow" project website or in the app, as the number of spots per session is limited. For the rink in the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve, a ticket must be purchased.

Tips for Perfect Skating

To ensure your trip to the ice is not marred by minor inconveniences, follow a few simple rules:

1. Buy tickets online. The days of live queues at ticket offices are over. Most major rinks (Gorky Park, VDNKh, GUM) sell tickets only online for specific sessions. This helps regulate the flow of people.
2. Arrive early. If your session starts at 17:00, arrive 20-30 minutes beforehand to change comfortably and get on the ice on time.
3. Proper clothing. Forget heavy fur coats and long down jackets that restrict movement. The ideal option is thermal underwear, a fleece jacket, and a light but warm membrane jacket. Be sure to bring gloves or mittens (falling on bare ice with your hands is unpleasant) and long socks.
4. Protection. If you are going with a child or are unsure on skates yourself, don't hesitate to wear knee pads and elbow pads. Helmets can also be rented at some places.
5. Sharpening. If you are bringing your own skates, check their blades in advance. Most large rinks offer sharpening services, but this can take time. Dull skates are the main reason for falls and lack of enjoyment from gliding.

Moscow in winter is a city that doesn't go into hibernation; on the contrary, it awakens for new entertainment. The answer to when ice rinks will open in Moscow is already known: the season starts in late November and will last until March 2026.