If you’re on the hunt for where to go Ice Skating in Knoxville, then check out our list!
It’s one of the best things to do in the winter, whether you hit one of the city’s outdoor pop-up rinks or prefer to enjoy the fun while being cozy indoors.
And with options as close as downtown, it’s a fun activity you can squeeze into even the busiest weekend in Knoxville.
Maybe it’s a longtime Christmas tradition for your family. Or, perhaps this will be your first time lacing up those ice skates.
Either way, here are 5 places to experience ice skating in Knoxville!
PS: keep your eyes open for a couple of year-round options, too! In Knoxville, you can go ice skating in any season!
Where to Go Ice Skating in Knoxville
The options for ice skating in Knoxville vary quite a bit. However, keep in mind that most of the rinks are strictly seasonal, closing up shop by mid-January.
So, don’t put this activity off for too long or you’ll miss out on the fun!
1. Holidays On Ice
- Location: Market Square (downtown Knoxville)
- Dates: November 24 – January 2, 2024
- Hours: 4:00-9:00 PM Monday-Thursday; 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Friday & Saturday; 1:00-9:00 PM Sunday; plus special extended hours during Christmas week
Ice skating in Knoxville doesn’t get more magical than this!
The Holidays on Ice pop-up rink is a beloved annual tradition, situated in Market Square.
Not only can you enjoy great city views, but this location also puts you right in the heart of all the action downtown. Also, the open-air rink, twinkling lights, and festive decor make this one of the best date ideas in Knoxville!
One especially unique thing about Holidays on Ice is that visitors can enjoy unlimited time skating.
Unlike many other skating rinks that include a set number of hours or require timed reservations, here, you can skate as long as you like.
During the week between Christmas and New Year, the rink also hosts special extended hours. Because everyone knows the best time to go ice skating in Knoxville is during the holidays!
2. Ice Chalet
- Location: West Knox / Bearden Village area
- Dates: Open year-round
- Hours: Public skate sessions 1:00-3:15 PM Monday-Thursday and Sunday; 2:00-5:30 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM Fridays; 2:00-4:30 PM, 4:45-6:30 PM, and 6:45-9:00 PM Saturdays; plus special extended hours during Christmas week
If you’re looking for an indoor venue to go ice skating in Knoxville head to the Ice Chalet.
This West Knoxville rink offers public ice skating sessions all year long. But actually, that’s just the beginning!
In addition to public skate sessions, Ice Chalet is home to the Robert Unger & Larry LaBorde School of Ice Skating.
The venue also hosts hockey leagues and ice skating events, like the annual winter performance of The Nutcracker on Ice. You can host birthday parties and other private events here, too.
Needless to say, Ice Chalet is a one-stop shop when it comes to ice skating in Knoxville! There’s also a nice concession stand and a cozy fireplace for warming up.
For public skate sessions, you can pay admission for just the day or buy discounted session passes for multiple visits. There’s also the Ice Chalet Skating Club, which offers discounted admission and other perks.
Note that the cost of skate rentals is NOT included in admission at Ice Chalet.
Because there are so many different things going on at Ice Chalet on any given day, we highly recommend checking the calendar before arriving.
3. Cool Sports
- Location: Farragut (West Knoxville)
- Dates: Open year-round
- Hours: Public skate sessions 12:30-2:00 PM Tuesdays; 8:00-9:30 PM Fridays; 1:00-2:30 PM Saturdays; and 3:30-5:00 PM Sundays
Cool Sports is similar to Ice Chalet, in that it’s a public indoor rink offering ice skating in Knoxville year-round.
Also like Ice Chalet, this place offers a bit of everything on the ice. You can learn to skate, improve your skills, join a hockey team, or of course, simply enjoy ice skating.
If you’re mostly interested in public skate sessions, there are a variety of dates and times. Skate rentals and trainers are also available for an additional fee.
For those with a more serious interest, Cool Sports also has the ONLY official U.S. Figure Skating program in the entire area!
Between laps around the ice, you can also enjoy the onsite Basil’s Sports Bar. It describes itself as “Knoxville’s true hockey bar,” so hockey fans will be right at home.
4. Ober Gatlinburg
- Location: Gatlinburg
- Dates: Open year-round
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Tuesday-Thursday; 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Friday-Monday (note that hours vary seasonally; these are winter hours)
Although it’s not technically in Knoxville, Ober is just a short one-hour drive away in Gatlinburg. (And actually, Gatlinburg is one of our favorite day trips from Knoxville!).
Ober Gatlinburg has a large indoor ice rink that’s open all year long.
So on those especially cold winter days (or brutally hot summer days), this is a perfect place to go skating.
Children of all ages are welcome to skate, but those under six must be with an adult. Ober has skate rentals starting at toddler size 6, as well as adorable skate trainers for beginners.
This is a great place to learn how to skate for families with kids of all ages and experience levels.
Admission to the ice skating rink is included with all wristband purchases. Since you’ll already be there, and you’re paying for other attractions, you might as well make a day (or night) of it and enjoy everything else Ober has to offer.
In addition to ice skating, these activities include the aerial tram, Tennessee Flyer mountain coaster, bumper cars on ice, carousel, wildlife habitat, and rock wall.
Note that there are some seasonal attractions available only in the winter or summer, like the snow zone for tubing.
Major bonus alert: If you buy tickets within three hours of closing time, you can go back to Ober the next day for FREE!
5. Wilderness at the Smokies
- Location: Sevierville
- Dates: November 10, 2023 – January 15, 2024
- Hours: 4:00-10:30 PM Monday-Friday; 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM weekends
Also in the Smoky Mountains, in Sevierville, Wilderness at the Smokies offers another place to go ice skating near Knoxville.
As part of its annual “Winter Wilderland,” the resort transforms a section of its outdoor wave pool into a festive ice rink. It’s not just a small section, either — it’s a 3,200 square-foot ice rink, so there’s plenty of room to skate, learn, and do tricks!
The skating rink comes complete with holiday lights and music, as well as a concessions area and the resort’s own Tacolicious food truck. In addition to tacos, you’ll be able to order hot cocoa, s’mores, and other seasonal goodies.
Santa will make a few afternoon appearances throughout December, and a DJ will spin on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as New Year’s Eve. You may also live performances from figure skaters and Story Time with Mrs. Claus on select Friday nights.
While resort guests can purchase admission tickets onsite, they’re significantly more expensive. If you buy them online in advance, admission is $19.99 for your entire party. At the door, they’re $29.99.
The general public can also buy admission tickets onsite, for $18.99 per person ($10.99 for Soaky Mountain Season Pass Holders).
Local tip: Right across the street at Soaky Mountain Waterpark, there’s a huge drive-thru holiday light experience. Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland and Snowy Mountain run through January 7, 2024.
There you have it — 5 places to go ice skating near Knoxville, TN!
Do you know of any other places to go ice skating close to Knoxville? Let us know in the comments below!