Winterfest Hartford

Hartford, CT · Public skating times & prices

A free outdoor rink in Bushnell Park, produced by the iQuilt Partnership since 2010; 100 by 100 feet.

Public skating at Winterfest Hartford: the next 7 days

Currently out of season The rink's site says the 2025 season is over and the rink will open on 27 November 2026. Checked on 4 October 2026. Official schedule update

Address
60 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
Website
winterfesthartford.com
The rink at dusk seen from the walkway, its red boards hung with wreaths, with skaters on the ice and the apartment towers and street lamps beyond. — Winterfest Hartford
The rink at dusk seen from the walkway, its red boards hung with wreaths, with skaters on the ice and the apartment towers and street lamps beyond. Photo: Google Maps listing · Source
The square rink from above, full of skaters, with the skate shack at the left and Hartford's downtown buildings behind the bare trees of Bushnell Park. — Winterfest Hartford
The square rink from above, full of skaters, with the skate shack at the left and Hartford's downtown buildings behind the bare trees of Bushnell Park. Photo: Google Maps listing · Source

Hartford's free downtown rink since 2010

Winterfest Hartford is a seasonal outdoor rink in Bushnell Park, next to the Pump House, produced by the iQuilt Partnership with partners that include the City of Hartford, the Hartford Business Improvement District and the Bushnell Park Conservancy. Founded in 2010, it opens each year on the day after Thanksgiving and runs through January, and the 2026-27 season is its 16th.

The rink measures 100 by 100 feet. The iQuilt Partnership raises the money each year to build and operate it, and Winterfest welcomes nearly 40,000 visitors each season.

Free learn-to-skate lessons run on Saturdays in December and January. The programming around the ice has included local artists such as the Hartford Steel Drum Symphony and Night Fall Hartford Puppets, and Santa is on site for four days with photos for families.

Before you head out.

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

Admission

Skating at Winterfest Hartford is free; skaters only need to complete an online waiver.

Source checked · · Official source

Skates & rentals

Skate rental is free, in children's size 9 through adult size 15; skaters can also bring their own.

Source checked · · Official source

Booking & check-in

Every skater must fill out a waiver before skating, on site or in advance online.

Source checked · · Official source

Skating with children

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult; helmets are not provided but are recommended.

Source checked · · Official source

Parking & arrival

Free street parking is available on Elm Street (between Trinity Street and Pulaski Circle) and on Jewell Street during Winterfest Hartford.

Source checked · · Official source

Accessibility

There is a handicapped bathroom with a baby changing station; staff at the skate shack hold the key.

Source checked · · Official source

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