McCormick Tribune Ice Rink (Millennium Park)

Chicago, IL · Public skating times & prices

Millennium Park's free outdoor rink, the first attraction to open in the park, in 2001

Public skating at McCormick Tribune Ice Rink (Millennium Park): the next 7 days

Currently out of season The City of Chicago's page gives the season as 20 November 2026 to February 2027, weather permitting, with daily hours of 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Checked on 4 October 2026. Official schedule update

Address
201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Website
chicago.gov
The plaza the rink occupies, seen from the AT&T Plaza level in summer, when the ice surface is the Park Grill's outdoor cafe with umbrellas, ringed by the Michigan Avenue towers. — McCormick Tribune Ice Rink (Millennium Park)
The plaza the rink occupies, seen from the AT&T Plaza level in summer, when the ice surface is the Park Grill's outdoor cafe with umbrellas, ringed by the Michigan Avenue towers. Photo: Ken Lund via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
The rink at night in December 2017, skaters on the white sheet under the lamps with the plaza's colonnade behind and spectators silhouetted at the rail. — McCormick Tribune Ice Rink (Millennium Park)
The rink at night in December 2017, skaters on the white sheet under the lamps with the plaza's colonnade behind and spectators silhouetted at the rail. Photo: Michael Barera via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Millennium Park's free rink, open since 2001

The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink opened on December 20, 2001, the first attraction to open in Millennium Park. It was seen as a replacement for Skate on State, the public skating rink on State Street in the Loop, and it was funded by and named for the McCormick Tribune Foundation.

The rink is 200 by 80 feet, and its chiller system can hold the ice through unseasonably warm weather. It is generally open from mid-November until mid-March, and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, not the Chicago Park District, operates it. A lobby gives skaters a respite from the weather, with toilets and public lockers.

When the rink is closed, its surface becomes a 150-seat cafe. In 2008 and 2009 the logo of Chicago's unsuccessful bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics was displayed in the ice.

Before you head out.

Admission, rentals and arrival details, researched from official rink information. Source checks stay current for 30 days.

Admission

Skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink is free for the 2026-27 season, weather permitting.

Source checked · · Official source

Skates & rentals

Skate rental is free for the free lessons.

Source checked · · Official source

Booking & check-in

The rink is open daily depending on the weather, and closures for severe weather are posted on Millennium Park's Facebook page.

Source checked · · Official source

Skating with children

For the free lessons, parents and guardians must register in order to accompany children on the ice.

Source checked · · Official source

Parking & arrival

Nearby parking garages are Grant Park North (25 N. Michigan Ave.), Grant Park South (325 S. Michigan Ave.) and the Millennium Park and Millennium Lakeside garages (5 S. Columbus Dr.).

Source checked · · Official source

Accessibility

Power and manual wheelchairs are allowed on the ice with a participant on skates escorting.

Source checked · · Official source

A source check records what the rink published on that date. Session-specific booking details take precedence.