THE RINK AT CAMPUS MARTIUS PARK PRESENTED BY VISIT DETROIT KICKS OFF 2023-2024 SEASON WITH AN OPENING WEEKEND CELEBRATION, NOV. 18-19

DETROIT – The Downtown Detroit Partnership today announced that The Rink at Campus Martius Park presented by Visit Detroit will open the 2023-2024 season with a weekend celebration, Nov. 18-19, that features guest appearances on ice and special offerings. Michigan’s premier family-friendly outdoor ice rink located right in the heart of Downtown welcomes nearly 100,000 people annually. Following its festive opening weekend, The Rink will be open daily, including holidays, through March 3, 2024.

“Winter in Detroit is a magical experience for both residents and our millions of visitors,” said Claude Molinari, president and CEO of Visit Detroit. “That is why Visit Detroit is proud to continue collaborating with the Downtown Detroit Partnership to support The Rink at Campus Martius Park. Nothing epitomizes the enchantment of Detroit during this season more than skating outside with family and friends.”

“The Rink at Campus Martius Park offers one of the most picturesque and iconic skating experiences in the country and continues to be a top destination for the entire region during the holiday and winter seasons. This year, instead of opening Friday evening, following the annual Detroit Tree Lighting, we’re opening on a Saturday with a weekend full of fun for the whole family,” David Cowan, chief public spaces officer with the Downtown Detroit Partnership. “If you’re coming downtown to enjoy skating at The Rink at Campus Martius Park, make a day of it and explore everything our vibrant city has to offer. From spectacular light displays and lively winter markets and retail shops to family-friendly activities, entertainment, sports and exquisite dining options, visit Detroit for an incredible experience.”

RINK OPENING WEEKEND CELEBRATION
Saturday, Nov. 18 – Sunday, Nov. 19

Visitors can glide into the spirit of the season with a weekend of skate parties and more at The Rink at Campus Martius Park presented by Visit Detroit.

SKATING WITH SANTA PARTY
Saturday, Nov. 18 • 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The season kicks off with a Skating with Santa Party that offers fun for the whole family. Children can write letters to Santa and skate to everyone’s favorite sounds of the holiday season with DJ Invisible. The big guy himself will be making an appearance. Skaters can also enjoy holiday giveaways courtesy of partners Kroger and McDonald’s.

UGLY HOLIDAY SWEATER PARTY
Saturday, Nov. 18 • 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Visitors are encouraged to don their favorite ugly holiday sweater for a night of festive fun under Detroit’s Christmas Tree. There, they can enjoy time on The Rink with merry beats from DJ Chris Hesano and Joey Namou and visit the Wana Brands activation.

FROZEN SKATE
Sunday, Nov. 19 • 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Skaters can take photos with Elsa and Olaf and “let it go” with some of the cast from Disney’s “Frozen” where a few lucky skaters can win tickets to a Broadway Show courtesy of Broadway in Detroit.

The Rink at Campus Martius Park is marking its 20th anniversary year. The world’s best Olympic and U.S. champion athletes perform and skate here annually – from gold-medalists Nathan Chen, Meryl Davis and Charlie White and U.S. champions Ashley Wagner, Jeremy Abbott, Karen Chen and many others. It also serves as a base for dozens of mission-driven community events and campaigns, including Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation, Make-A-Wish, Menorah in the D, Salvation Army and more. This year’s Rink season welcomes the following:

LEARN TO PLAY CLINICS
Saturdays, Jan. 6 – Feb. 10 • 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

In collaboration with the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association, Detroit area children will receive a full set of hockey equipment from the Red Wings and free on-ice instruction.

SK8 TO ELIMIN8 CANCER
Feb. 8 • 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Sk8 to Elimin8 Ice Show returns to Campus Martius Park for the 6th
consecutive year. This show features world-class and local skaters in an effort to raise funds on behalf of the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation, which aims to turn cancer upside down.

THE RINK ADMISSION AND PURCHASING
Admission for the 2023-2024 season is $12 for adults; $9 for children 12 and under and also seniors 59+; and $8 for military and first responders. Skate rental is $6. This year tickets and skate rentals will be available for presale on the Downtown Detroit Partnership website: DowntownDetroit.org. Patrons are encouraged to purchase their tickets for admission in advance. Also, a limited number of walk-up tickets are available per session on a first come, first served basis. Group Sales may be purchased by calling 313-963-9393.

THE RINK SEASONAL HOURS
Open daily, including holidays, through March 3, 2024.
Nov. 18 – Dec. 10
Sunday – Thursday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to midnight
Saturday: 10 a.m. to midnight

Dec. 11 – Jan. 1
Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to midnight
Saturday: 10 a.m. to midnight
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Christmas Day: noon to 10 p.m.
New Year’s Eve: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Jan. 2 – March 3
Monday – Wednesday – Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m.

PARKING
Convenient and affordable parking options are available only steps away from The Rink at Campus Martius Park, including One Campus Martius, and other parking decks and spots across the Downtown. Public transit also is a great way to navigate the city, including DDOT, SMART, FAST, The People Mover, QLINE, rideshare and MoGo.

EATS + DRINKS
There are plenty of dining and bar options for visitors of The Rink to enjoy, from fast-casual to upscale dining and everything in between. They can warm up with a hot chocolate and a snack from the Arctic Zone at Campus Martius Park or they can dine at the Iconic Collection’s award-winning Parc, the rink side restaurant that offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience in the heart of Downtown Detroit and the best views in the city. More options are available nearby, including Lumen
Detroit at Beacon Park, surrounded by thousands of twinkling lights from inside or from its outdoor patio with firepits.

Visitors also can take a break in the comfort and style of a ski lodge setting inside the Cadillac Lodge across the street from The Rink at Campus Martius Park, which offers an assortment of winter favorites and festive cocktails.

Skating at The Rink at Campus Martius Park, award-winning holiday lighting and public spaces, along with a myriad of retailers and restaurants all come together this season to make a perfect “staycation” with no shortage of opportunities to support local businesses. For more information visit DowntownDetroit.org.

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About the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) strengthens and supports Downtown Detroit through strategic initiatives and programs. DDP convenes business, philanthropic and government partners to create a vibrant and resilient urban core for Detroit and the surrounding community. DDP is responsible for programming, managing and operating several of Downtown Detroit’s parks and public spaces. For more information, visit DowntownDetroit.org.

About Visit Detroit
The mission of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau is to market and sell the Detroit metropolitan region to business and leisure visitors in order to maximize economic impact. In collaboration with our partners, stakeholders and customers, our purpose is to champion the continuous improvement of the region as a dynamic and memorable tourism destination. For more information VisitDetroit.com.