Looking for ice skating in Greenville, SC? Don’t miss Skating on the Big Ice at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
I love ice skating , and I stay on my feet most of the time. I just can’t stop. That’s why I’m eternally grateful for the wide open space (and the sideboards) at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. My kids and I have had plenty of chances to practice at Skating on the Big Ice in December. We loved it, and so will you. This year’s dates are December 22 and 23 and December 29 and 30, 2025.
Wondering where you can ice skate in Greenville, SC? Check out our Kidding Around Ice Skating Guide!
Scenes from Skating on the Big Ice
What will you see when you head to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena for ice skating this December? Take a look at this video for a sneak peek.
Skating on the Big Ice
The Bon Secours Wellness Arena has offered Skating on the Big Ice for several years, and I’ve always had such a great time with my family. The ice rink is enormous. It’s the same rink the Swamp Rabbits use for hockey games. And there is plenty of space no matter how many people are skating.
The atmosphere is quite festive with Christmas music pumped into the arena. Feel free to sing along to the tunes. It’s fun! Even if you are awful at ice skating, you can use a complimentary ice walker to push along in front of you as you skate. Or you know, cling to the sides as you test your skating skills.
There are also fun sleds you can use to pull younger kids along the ice. I tried this solely for the reason of writing about it. It looked hard because you can’t fall while dragging a kid along. It wasn’t exactly easy, but it wasn’t hard either. The sled slid easily along the ice, and the hardest thing was trying to make sure I didn’t hit anyone else while dragging the sled along (mission accomplished).
Two Hours of Skating + Skate Rentals
Admission to Skating on the Big Ice is $16.88 and includes two hours of skating time and skate rentals. The employees at the arena are incredibly kind and helpful. We had to switch out our skates a few times to find the right size, and they were accommodating and patient.
The woman at the rink helping people with the ice walkers was totally on top of her game, switching them out quickly and helping people on and off the ice. I cut my finger while tying the skates onto one of my kids, and an employee quickly got me a Band-Aid. Everyone was wonderful and I want to give a shout-out to all the employees helping to make thae experience a good one for all the people participating.
Parking at the Arena for Bon Secours Ice Skating
You get to be a VIP when you go skating at the arena because you can park in the VIP lot right off Church Street. It’s exciting, I promise. And parking is free, so even better.
Entry to public skating is located in the loading dock below the VIP lot. When you pull into the lot, park all the way to the left near the fence and look for signs pointing to the back entrance of the arena. Don’t go up the stairs like you would for an event. You’ll walk down a ramp on the left into the back entrance and begin your adventure.
Skate, Roll & Stroll Sessions
The arena also offers Skate, Roll & Stroll sessions with accommodations for people of all ages with disabilities. These sessions are totally free, and equipment is provided. The 2025 dates are December 22 and 29 from noon-2 PM both days.
Santa at Skating on the Big Ice
Not only can you go ice skating, you can also get photos with Santa. He’ll be ready to pose for free photos (bring your own camera) next to a pretty Christmas tree. Santa will be onsite for the December 22 and December 23 sessions.
There are also concessions available for purchase like hot chocolate and soft pretzels. Yum.
Tickets and Skates
Tickets are $15 per person ($16.88 with fees) and include skate rentals. You can also bring your own skates. We saw plenty of expert skaters whizzing past us on their own skates.
You can purchase Skating on the Big Ice Tickets online, or just buy them when you arrive. Spectators do not need tickets. You’ve got two full hours of skating per session, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy the ice. Ice walkers and sleds are first come, first serve. Tickets are card only. Cash is not accepted.
Tips to Enjoy Skating on the Big Ice
Here are a few ways to get the most out of your time at Skating on the Big Ice:
- Wear socks that go way above your ankle. Skates go up high and need to be tied tight. To keep the skates from rubbing against skin, be sure to wear crew socks or the like.
- Go to the bathroom before you start skating. They have restrooms onsite.
- It’s chilly at the rink. Wear layers. Bring a hat and gloves, and maybe a scarf. I hate being cold, so I brought all the things just in case I needed them!
- Parents/non-skaters can sit and watch in the stands if they don’t want to skate. This is great if you’ve got grandparents in town that aren’t that active. It’s still fun since they can hang out and watch their grandkids attempt to skate.
- Get there around 10 minutes early before your session so you can pay and get your skates on. That way, you’ll get the most out of your two hours skate time.
2025 Skating on the Big Ice Dates
- Monday, December 22: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday, December 23: 12:00 – 2:00 PM and 3:00 – 5:00 PM
- Monday, December 29: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday, December 30: 12:00 – 2:00 PM and 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Need more ideas for things to do over winter break in Greenville? See our winter break things to do list with more than 50 ideas!
Bon Secours Wellness Arena Website
650 North Academy Street, Greenville
