Neighborhood News: Skating through the holidays at Millennium Park’s McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Imagine being surrounded by the world’s best architecture and the world’s best art as you glide effortlessly under the watchful Cloud Gate (aka, ‘The Bean’) at Millennium Park.
And best of all, it’s free with your own skates!
You can make the holidays even more special by taking a turn at The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. As Do312 says, it’s one of the most picturesque rinks in the city, surrounded by twinkling skyscrapers and nestled under The Bean.And its open to all from now to February 1, from 11am-10:30pm. Daily, skate sessions run from 11am -12:30 pm, 1pm-2:30pm, 3pm-4:30 pm, 5pm-6:30pm, 7pm-8:30pm., and 9pm-10:30pm.
As Choose Chicago notes, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink just started its 22nd season, and is a bucket-list experience, drawing more than 100,000 skaters each year. You’ll be surrounded by breathtaking wintery views of Chicago, including the downtown skyline, the magical lights on the city’s towering Christmas tree, and all the holiday lights reflected on the shining surface of The Bean.
Admission to the ice rink is free, but reservations are required. For more information and reservations, click here.
But…I Can’t Skate!
The Chicago Park District’s got your back. Free ice-skating lessons are available for skaters of any age at three levels: beginner, intermediate, and hockey skills.
Hockey? As their website notes, the hockey skills level is not a Learn-to Skate Class; it’s intended for participants who already know how to skate in hockey skates and want to develop basic hockey skills.
Skating lessons take place from 9am–10am on most Saturdays and Sundays through February, weather-permitting, If you don’t have skates, you can rent them for free! Parents/guardians must register for a lesson in order to accompany children on the ice rink, and classes are limited to 20 participants per class level. Helmets are, as they say, “Strongly Encouraged” for beginning skaters.
It’s recommended that you arrive no later than 8:45am to prepare to take the ice surface. In the event of cancellation, registrants will be notified via email by 7 a.m. the morning of the lesson.
Notes: Registration opens the Monday prior to each weekend for registration. For online reservation ticket details and session availability, skate rental fees, the full skating lesson schedule and more, click here.
Additionally, walkups will be allowed if there are no-shows. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.
Millennium Park Security will have checkpoints at entrances to Millennium Park on holidays and weekends. The Chicago Park District urges all to consider time to wait in line to enter the park ahead of your scheduled sessions. Teens 17 and under unaccompanied by a parent must present evidence of their pre-purchased skate session to security to enter the Park.
History
As told by Wikipedia sources, Grant Park has been Chicago’s front yard since the mid-19th century. Its northwest corner, north of Monroe Street and the Art Institute, east of Michigan Avenue, south of Randolph Street, and west of Columbus Drive, had been Illinois Central rail yards and parking lots until 1997, when it was made available for development by the city as Millennium Park.
Plans for Millennium Park were unveiled by Mayor Richard M. Daley in March 1998 and included “a reflecting pool that would double as a skating rink in winter.”. The architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill came up with the master plan, For comparison, at 200 by 80 feet, McCormick Ice Rink is larger than the Rockefeller Center rink in New York City, which is 120 by 60 feet. Its grand opening was celebrated on December 20, 2001.
Holiday Sing-Alongs
Be a part of Chicago’s holiday cheer at Millenium Park’s Holiday Sing-Along at Cloud Gate (The Bean), on select Fridays this month at 6pm.
On Friday, December 12, the Holiday Sing-Along is led by The Beautiful City Project, and December 19, the Roosevelt University Vocal Ensemble leads the sing-along. Songbooks, including large print, are available onsite or by download from this website. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is available at all Sing-Along programs.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
