New Albany will open a new outdoor ice rink on Sunday, Nov. 22, at the Charleen & Charles Hinson Amphitheater, with skating running through Feb. 28.

Admission costs $15 per person and includes skate rentals and all activities inside the amphitheater, the city announced Oct. 13. New Albany would be the second suburban central Ohio community offering this type of outdoor real-ice skating, alongside Dublin, according to city officials who presented the plan to council in August.

The opening day doubles as a holiday kickoff. A Santa Skate runs from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the amphitheater with festive music, photos with Santa, letters to the North Pole and jingle bell decorating. The rink stays open until 8 p.m.

Later that day, the city's annual Holiday Tree Lighting moves to a new home at Rose Run Park. The free ceremony is set for 5 to 5:30 p.m.

A Hanukkah Skate follows on Sunday, Dec. 6, also noon to 4:30 p.m., featuring a skating dreidel, dreidel decorating and traditional games. The rink stays open until 8 p.m. that day as well. A free Menorah Lighting at Rose Run Park runs from 5 to 5:30 p.m. the same evening.

New Albany City Council approved the rink project 6-0 on Aug. 18 under Resolution R-34-2026. Director of Strategic Initiatives Abbey Brooks told council the city's capital cost was $167,000. The operator, Outdoor Ice Rinks, a family-run company whose seven-person team has more than 80 years of combined rink experience.

Revenue from admissions and rentals will be split 50-50 between the city and the operator after operating expenses. Brooks projected total season revenue of $150,000 to $200,000, calling the figure "highly weather dependent."

Council Member Andrea Wiltrout asked about pricing. Brooks said the $15 fee would be revisited after three years. Mayor Sloan Spalding asked about session length, and Brooks said the fee covers one to 1.5 hours of skating depending on the day. Council Member Marlene Brisk asked about the $167,000 capital figure, and Brooks confirmed it covered only the rink itself, not separate amphitheater modifications.

The deal is structured as a one-year agreement with two possible one-year renewals.

Regular hours (Nov. 22 through Feb. 28):

  • Thursday and Friday: 5 to 9 p.m.
  • Saturday: noon to 9 p.m.
  • Sunday: noon to 8 p.m.
  • Monday through Wednesday: closed (available for private rentals)

The city said the rink will have expanded hours during winter break and on holidays.

Upcoming holiday events:

  • Nov. 22: Santa Skate, noon to 4:30 p.m., Hinson Amphitheater; Holiday Tree Lighting, 5 to 5:30 p.m., Rose Run Park
  • Dec. 6: Hanukkah Skate, noon to 4:30 p.m., Hinson Amphitheater; Menorah Lighting, 5 to 5:30 p.m., Rose Run Park