Icy fun skates into Olympia’s Isthmus Park

After taking a year off because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Olympia’s downtown ice-skating rink is back.

Oly on Ice opens on Friday, Nov. 19. Timed tickets are available online and at the door.

“We are so excited to bring back Oly on Ice this year,” said Paul Simmons, Olympia’s Parks, Arts & Recreation director. “We have some new safety protocols in place and look forward to welcoming the community back to enjoy Olympia’s favorite winter tradition.”

The city is requiring that skaters and spectators alike wear properly fitting masks. Rental skates, handrails and other frequently touched surfaces will be disinfected frequently.

Locals who love to glide and turn — and those who step haltingly onto the slick surface — are already making plans, said Luke Burns of the Parks, Arts & Recreation department.

“We have heard overwhelming excitement from the community about the return of the rink this season,” Burns told The Olympian. “Due to our new online ticketing option, we’re able to see lots of folks purchasing advance tickets.”

More than 20,000 people skated at the rink in Isthmus Park during its 2019-2020 season.

The rink also will host a variety of special events, including the Olympia Downtown Alliance’s Downtown Winter Wonderland from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 3 and the Bridge Music Project’s Ice Cold Chill’n from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 10.

The Capital High School Chamber Choir will sing at 7 p.m. Dec. 9.

“We are working with local bands and DJ’s for weekly performances,” Burns said.

The city is offering Sensory Skates, with lower lighting and without loud music, from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays.

Also in the works: a performance by local figure skater Debbie Leung, and appearances by dancers from Studio West Dance Theatre’s “The Nutcracker” and Part of Your World Princesses.

Oly On Ice

• What: The city of Olympia’s pop-up ice-skating rink is back for the holidays.
• When: Nov. 19-Jan. 17
• Where: Isthmus Park, 529 Fourth Ave. W., Olympia
• Tickets: $3-$12, including skate rental. Most Mondays and Tuesdays are Cheap Skate nights, with tickets topping out at $8.
• More information: http://www.olyonice.com
• Also: Masks are required for those 5 and older.