Christmas Countdown: Ice Ice Baby
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Friday, December 2nd, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Not only is Christmas just a mere 24 (counting today) days away but Game Plan, your fave source for all things arts & entertainment in Northern Virginia, has gone Christmasy, too! Over the next four weeks, we’ll be posting about the best activities, locations and ways to celebrate the season. [And that's in addition to our Christmas Guide, which is chock-full of parties, parades and more].
Grab your skates and hit the nearest rink. / Photo courtesy: Shutterstock/Laura Stone
If you haven’t already guessed, today’s post is taking a trip to the colder temperatures: all things icy. For a list of all the frozen fun going on in and around NoVA this winter, check out our top picks below.
Ice Skating
The weather outside may or may not be frightful, but either way there are tons of venues in NoVA to get your skate on. Like the temperature-controlled indoor rink? Prefer the sometimes windy and chilly outdoor patch of ice? We’ve got you covered. For the best places to lace up and glide, here are our top picks.
Fairfax Ice Arena [indoor]
3779 Pickett Road, Fairfax, VA 22031; 703-323-1132; http://www.fairfaxicearena.com/index.shtml; admission $7.50-$8.25, children 12 and under $6.50-$7.50, children under 5 $5.75-$6.25, skate rental $2.75.
Harris Pavilion Ice Rink [outdoor]
9201 Center St., Manassas, VA; 703-361-9800; http://www.harrispavilion.com/ice_skate.php; admission $7, children 10 and under $6, skate rentals $3.
Pentagon Row Ice Rink [outdoor]
1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington, VA; 703-418-6666; www.pentagonrowskating.com; admission $8, children 12 and under $7, skate rentals $3.
Reston Town Center Ice Rink [open-air]
1818 Discovery St., Reston, VA; 703-709-6300; www.restontowncenter.com/pavilion.html; admission $9, children 11 and under $7, skate rentals $4.
Check rink websites for special holiday hours and additional activities like skating lessons, birthday parties and more.
Calling all skaters: it's time to hit the ice. / Photo courtesy: Shutterstock/RDaniel
DC Broomball
It may not be kickball or softball season, but that doesn’t mean all intramural sports have gone into hibernation. Check out DC Broomball’s league for a little Canadian-inspired athletics this winter. / Rockville Ice Arena, www.dcbroomball.org/; $100.
Hockey
If you, too, remember the glory days of the many Mighty Ducks flicks and still get the urge to start a slow, “Quack … quack … quack!” when watching a Caps game, then peruse our list of hot spots for pick-up games.
Ashburn Ice House
21595 Smiths Switch Road, Ashburn, VA 20147; 703-858-0300; http://www.ashburnice.com/; 15.
Kettler Capitals Iceplex
627 North Glebe Road #800, Arlington, VA 22203; 571-224-0555; http://kettlercapitals.pointstreaksites.com/view/kettlercapitals; $15.
SkateQuest
1800 Michael Faraday Court, Reston, VA 20190; 703-709-1010; http://www.frontline-connect.com/monthlyEvents.cfm?fac=reston&facid=1&session=2; $15.
Special Events
And just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be any more icy goodness, there most certainly is. Here are even more events that are sure to help fill up any remaining openings on your Gmail calendar.
Magical Mondays at ICE!
Dec 5, 12. If you and your family enjoy the silliness of Disney’s Madagascar and a wintery wonderland, don’t miss Gaylord’s fantastical ICE! featuring DreamWorks’ Merry Madagascar interactive experience this year. Explore the two-million-pound exhibit and give back, too: with each ticket purchased on Magical Mondays, $5 off the price will be donated to Make-A-Wish Foundation. /ICE! Pavillion – Gaylord National Resort, 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD 20745; www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national/christmas-on-the-potomac/ice-experience/index.html; adults $25-$25, kids $17-30 depending upon time of week.
Rock ‘N Blades
Dec. 2, 9, 16 from 8:45 to 10:30 pm. Mount Vernon RECenter brings back their uber-popular skate night. Funky lights? Check. Cool tunes? Check check. /Mount Vernon RECenter, 2017 Belle View Blvd., Alexandria, VA; 703-768-3224 http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/mvrec.htm#mvcalendars; $10.
Holiday Ice Show
Dec. 10 from 11:30 to 1:30 pm. We mentioned back in October that Mount Vernon RECenter was hosting a costumed skate night. This month they’ll be hosting a free holiday ice show, showcasing the skating skills of Mount Vernon’s best skaters. / Mount Vernon RECenter, 2017 Belle View Blvd., Alexandria, VA; 703-768-3224; http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/mvrec.htm#mvcalendars; free.
Next up: Headed to a Christmas tree farm? Stop by our blog later for tips on picking out the perfect Christmas tree, even if you’re just going to Costco.
–Lorin Drinkard
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