Skating on the Square FAQs

Individual tickets will be available starting November 17th. Until then, only full-rink buy-outs are available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased here.

The Winter Lights Rink is open rain or shine! Please prepare for inclement weather if you're skating when it's raining, but note that umbrellas are not allowed on the rink. Refunds are not given for bad weather, unless the weather is extreme enough to cause safety concerns, in which case the rink will be completely closed. We don't anticipate that to happen, so please be prepared to skate either way.

The Winter Lights Rink is manufactured by Smart Rink. Synthetic ice is a substitute for real ice which allows its users to practice ice skating and other ice sports such as ice hockey, figure skating or curling without the horrendous energy costs of conventional ice skating rinks. The engineered plastic comes in sheets that are 100% seamless in order to create excellent glideability.

Our rink employs a sustainable skating technology that requires no water, energy or carbon emissions. So it’s not only a fun experience, it’s one you can feel great about participating in!

You can change your ticket date by creating an account through TicketSpice and modifying your tickets. The link to create an account can be found in your confirmation email. Refunds are not available.

Skate sessions are 45 minutes long. You should plan to arrive 15 minutes early to get checked in and buckle up those skates

Children under the age of three are only allowed on the rink with their own sharpened ice skates. Children with feet large enough to fit into a kids size 9 skate are welcome to skate with skates we can provide. We also have skate guides children can use as they get acquainted with the rink.

It’s smart to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your skate session start time to allow time for our staff to get you checked in and put on your skates. You will have to sign a waiver and provide either your name or your TicketSpice QR code.

To ensure you have as long as possible on the rink, we recommend you arrive at least 15 minutes early to go through the check in and skate rental process with the Chop’s Work Ready Program Operations Team. If you arrive late, you will only be able to skate for the amount of time left during your skate session

No. We recommend you only bring belongings you can take with you on the rink as we will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items

Yes! Spectators who check in with skaters will be allowed into the event area. If you are not accompanying a skater, you can see all the fun from Courthouse Square.

Tickets are $10.50 each for regular sessions and $15 each for theme nights on Thursdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas. All ticket purchases include skate rental!

You can buy tickets at www.santarosametrochamber.com/rink.

Skate sessions are limited to 50 people each, so once 50 tickets are sold, tickets will be unavailable. This allows for more space on the rink and more fun for all

With some exceptions because of holidays or on-rink events, Skating on the Square will be open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 8pm. Christmas Eve hours are 11am – 3pm, NYE hours are 11am – 5pm.

Yes! However it does take a specialized staff member to provide access, so we appreciate you letting us know ahead of time if we can make that accommodation for you.

Yes, and no. If you’re a figure skater, all jumps are permitted except toe-pick jumps (salchow, the flip, the lutz, toe loop) which can damage the skating surface and are not permitted.

The skate rental cost is included in your ticket price, and we have skates available in a child’s 9 through men’s 14. You can also bring your own sharpened skate

We have skates in child’s size 9 through men’s 14. While we have plenty of skates available, we recommend you bring an extra pair of socks in case you need to size up. If you have Shaquille O’Neal sized feet, you’ll need to bring your own skates. Skates are sanitized and deodorized after every use.

Yes, if your skates are sharp, you can bring them. The skate rental cost is included in your ticket price, and we have skates available in a child’s 9 through men’s 14. You can also bring your own sharpened skates. If you’re bringing your own skates please make sure they’re sharp.

Yes, absolutely. We will not let you put on the skates without sock

We highly recommend that children (and parents too!) bring their own helmets to wear while on the rink.

Yes, we have a limited number of skate aids available for kids (and adults!) to use while skating.

The rink will be sanitized regularly and skates are sanitized and deodorized after every use. Capacity on the rink is limited to 50 people and we encourage you to keep a festive social distance from the other skaters.

Current public health measures do not require outdoor events to require masks, but please wear one if that will make you feel more comfortable.

Parking is free in all City garages on Saturdays and Sundays from 11/25 through 12/31. If you skate on a Thursday or Friday, you'll get your first hour free in any City owned garage. The garages located on 3rd Street and D Street have very convenient access to the Square.

Yes! Downtown’s amazing NexStreet team will be on site whenever the rink is open.

All the Winter Lights events are being managed by the Metro Chamber, Downtown District and Visit Santa Rosa, with financial support from our local sponsors and the City of Santa Rosa. The rink itself will be managed by Chop's Teen Club work ready program, which helps prepare teens to enter the workforce.

No problem! This is the first time we’re managing a rink, so we’ve definitely forgotten something. Feel free to email us at info@santarosametrochamber.com.