With early blasts of flurries and cold temps, another Buffalo winter is in full swing. But don’t bury your head in the snow—grab your skates and mates and visit the Ice at Canalside, Western New York’s favorite place for family fun and cold-weather adventure.
The Ice at Canalside is more than a skating venue, it’s a family-friendly outdoor entertainment destination with ice bumper cars, an ice express train, curling, group rentals, Festive Fridays complete with giveaways and drink specials, and three cozy dome igloos to warm up and sip cocoa after a few laps around the rink.
“The Ice at Canalside offers a classic winter experience for Western New Yorkers and visitors to Buffalo,” said Kevin Parkinson, Vice President, Operations and Finance, Rich Entertainment Group. “It’s more than an ice rink; it’s a place for families and friends to gather, make memories, and embrace the season.”
Ever wonder what it takes to get The Ice at Canalside ready for the season? Watch the video to learn more.
Rich Entertainment Group, which manages Canalside and Outer Harbor, is committed to delivering affordable family fun to the community. This season, kids under 13 skate free on Wednesdays and receive a voucher for one free donut at any one of the four Paula’s Donuts locations in WNY. And, on Thursday nights, certified 501C-3 organizations can register to Fundraise and Skate. Groups will receive 50% of revenue back. Contact [email protected] to schedule a fundraiser today.
Special Event Saturdays feature themed events, giveaways, drink specials and more. The complete line-up of events is available here. Don’t miss Jingle Bell Rock the Ice on December 20, with holiday photo-ops, a meet and greet with Santa and Pip the Penguin, giveaways, festive dress contests, fireworks and more! Events take place weekly through February 21.
The Ice at Canalside officially opened on November 21, 2025, an event that coincided with a ribbon-cutting to unveil The Chandlery, a new $14.25 million investment by the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC). The Chandlery and visitor center are the new nexus point for information about local activities, experiences and destinations for locals and visitors alike.
“The opening of The Chandlery marks the completion of a monumental first step in the North Aud Block’s transformation,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement released by the New York Governor’s press office. “It is the official gateway to the waterfront, with Visit Buffalo ready to assist every visitor exploring Canalside, Buffalo and beyond. With the Ice at Canalside season kicking off, we are proudly continuing to create a truly vibrant destination on Buffalo’s waterfront.”
To learn more about winter activities along Buffalo’s waterfront, including the Ice at Canalside and special bicentennial celebrations, visit BuffaloWaterfront.com. Skating hours of operation, rates and packages can be found here.