Johns Hopkins is excited to bring back the Ice Rink at the Homewood campus for its fifth year, with admission offered to JHU faculty, staff, and students seven days a week and special weekend access for the Baltimore community.

Entry to the rink area (and rental skates) is free of charge for all participants. The Ice Rink returns for 2026 to the same location as last year—just off West University Parkway in the Imagine Center parking lot.

All attendees are required to:

• Sign up in advance for a 90-minute skating session
• Complete the electronic waiver prior to arrival at the rink

Online registration information is required for anyone who enters the Ice Rink premises, regardless of their age or participation in skating. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 3 are not permitted to skate.

Dates and Hours of Operation

The Ice Rink will open on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 and operate through Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, weather permitting.  JHU faculty, staff, and students can reserve skating time slots for any day of operation; the general public can reserve weekend time slots. 

Hours of operation*

Weekends

JHU Affiliates and open to the general public

• Saturdays: 8 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
• Sundays: 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Weekdays

JHU Affiliates Only

• Monday – Thursday: Noon–7:30 p.m.
• Fridays: Noon–11:30 p.m.

Extended Hours

Opening weekend, Jan. 9–11, 2026:

• Friday, Jan. 9, 2026: Noon–11:30 p.m. (JHU affiliates only)
• Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026: 8 a.m.–11:30 p.m. (JHU affiliates and open to the general public)
• Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026: 8 a.m.–11:30 p.m. (JHU affiliates and open to the general public)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

• Monday, Jan. 19, 2026: 8 a.m.–11:30 p.m. (JHU affiliates and open to the general public)

*weather dependent

Ice Rink Location and Parking

Location

The Ice Rink is located off West University Parkway in the Imagine Center parking lot. Please note that you will be unable to park in the Imagine Center parking lot.

Parking Locations

Ice rink attendees have several parking options available.

South Parking Garage

• Location: Beneath Mason Hall, accessed via Wyman Park Drive (between San Martin Drive and Art Museum Drive)
• Hours: Open 24 hours a day, staffed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Payment: Exit gates accept paid entry tickets, exit vouchers, and credit cards
• Pay Station: Located in the vestibule next to the parking office

San Martin Garage

• Location: On San Martin Drive, across from the West Gate entrance to the university
• Facility: Fully automated
• Pay Stations: Available on the pedestrian bridge over San Martin Drive and in the P5 level lobby near the Carnegie Institute building
• Payment: Credit card payments are accepted at exit gates

North Visitor Lot (ROTC Building)

• Location: 3703 San Martin Drive
• Payment: Free after 4 p.m. on weekdays (Monday-Friday) and all day on weekends (Saturday-Sunday)

Nearby metered street parking along West University Parkway is also available.

Monthly employee permit holders can park in the North Visitor Lot or the Muller Deck. The Muller Deck off San Martin Drive will not be available to those without permits.

Accessible Parking

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible Ice Rink experience. Accessible parking spaces are located in the Imagine Center parking lot where the Ice Rink is located.

If the ADA spaces available at the Imagine Center Parking Lot are filled and you require transportation from another JHU Parking Garage (South Parking Garage, San Martin Garage, North Visitor Lot) before 6 p.m. on weekdays you may call the parking office at 410-516-7275.

Please visit the ‘Parking Locations’ section for more information.

Skate Time Registration

Each attendee is required to register for a 90 minute skate session. JHU faculty, staff, students, and general public attendees can register themselves and up to four additional attendees. The person completing the registration must be present at the skate session. Please only register for sessions you plan to attend. If your plans change, please use the link in the confirmation email to cancel your registration in order to make room for others to enjoy this free activity.

Sessions marked “skate lessons only” are group lessons for all ages provided by the JHU Figure Skating Club. No other skating is permitted during these lessons. Skating lessons may be a portion of the session followed by skating, but all attendees are required to participate in the lessons.

Guests

If you are registering with guests, please note:

• Guest tickets will be under the name of the person who made the reservation.
• All guests must sign the waiver. Please send the waiver link to your guests in advance.
• Only the person who registered the group will receive communications, so that person is responsible for sharing details about the rink with guests (waiver, reminders, cancellations due to weather).
• Children under 3 are not permitted to skate,

Reservations can be made up to three weeks in advance. A reservation can be made for up to five people at a time. If you would like to register a party of six or more people, please divide the reservations between two adults in your party. If there is only one adult/affiliate in your party, please email us at icerink@jh.edu at least one business day in advance and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Walk-on skating is permitted for sessions that are not at full capacity. Walk-on attendance cannot be guaranteed, particularly on weekends, which are the busiest time. Walk-ons may be required to wait until 15 minutes into each session to ensure all ticket holders have the opportunity to check in. If you are planning to walk on, you are required to sign the waiver and check the website in advance for any weather-related closures.

Skates will be provided, but guests are welcome to bring their own. At the end of each 90-minute skate session, all participants will be asked to leave the rink and skate area as the ice is prepared for the next session.

The Ice Rink cannot be reserved for events. Notification of emergency or weather-related cancellations will be emailed to registered participants and posted on this website. Please be sure to check the site before arriving at the Ice Rink.

Skate Waiver

Waivers are required for all participants — skaters and non-skaters — and must be signed before entering the rink. Anyone under age 18 must have the waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Your signed waiver covers you for the entire 2026 season.

Upon arrival at the rink, each participant will have their waiver confirmed. We strongly encourage everyone to complete the waiver in advance to ensure a smooth entry to the ice rink.

Skate Rentals

Skates are complimentary and limited to first 100 skaters on a first come, first served basis. Please bring socks! Personal skates are also allowed. Skates are available in sizes for young skaters and adults (up to size 15).

A limited number of skate aids are available for children and others who need them.

Ice hockey sticks are not allowed at the rink.

Amenities

Storage

Small lockers will be provided for personal property.  Johns Hopkins is not responsible for lost or stolen items inside the Ice Rink.

Concessions

Hot and cold beverages and snacks will be provided free of charge. Please note there is a limit of one beverage and snack per person per skate session.

In the event of inclement weather, concessions may not be in operation or may have a delayed opening based on weather conditions and staffing.

Restrooms

Restrooms are located adjacent to the Ice Rink. Ice Rink participants will be required to remove their skates to access the restrooms. Restrooms are accessible.

Accessibility

We support the participation of individuals with disabilities and allow the use of wheelchairs on the rink. Wheelchair users can enter the rink accompanied by a skater or personal care assistant (PCA) wearing personal or rental skates or shoe grips. Shoe grips are available if needed. PCAs must be registered along with all other guests. All attendees must be registered and must complete a waiver to enter, regardless of age or level of participation as a skater or observer.

Please contact icerink@jh.edu if you have questions about accessibility.

Ice Rink Rules

Review the Code of Conduct, which details the responsibilities of participants and spectators and assumption of liability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can JHU affiliates register their families and guests for the JHU Affiliates Only sessions?

Yes, JHU affiliates may be accompanied by family members and guests, and those individuals should be included in online registrations. The JHU affiliate must be on the premises with their family and guests during the entire skating session for which they are registered. All attendees must be registered and must complete a waiver to enter, regardless of age or level of participation as a skater or observer.

How should I register if I have six or more people in my party?

Registration is limited to five tickets per reservation. If you would like to register a party of six or more people, please divide the reservations between two adults in your party. If there is only one adult/affiliate in your party, please email us at icerink@jh.edu at least one business day in advance and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Will I receive additional information to know before I attend my skate session?

Yes. You will receive an email approximately one week before your scheduled skate session which will include information regarding the waiver, parking, accessibility, ticket return process, weather cancellations, skate rentals, and more.

Who is operating the Ice Rink? 

Johns Hopkins has contracted with Ice-America to install and fully operate the seasonal Ice Rink. 

Where will the Ice Rink be located?

The Ice Rink is returning to the same location as 2025, off West University Parkway in the Imagine Center parking lot.

Does the Ice Rink site and experience meet ADA and accessibility requirements? 

Yes, our Facilities team has worked closely with the Student Disability Services to ensure that the site and facilities meet all ADA requirements. 

How will the Ice Rink site be secured? 

The site has one entrance and security is provided 24 hours, 7 days a week for the area.

How will Ice Rink capacity be monitored and controlled? 

Participants must register for a skating session online. Skate intervals will be two hours (90-minute skate time/30-minute ice maintenance). A session will allow 100 persons on the ice, along with 75 non-skating companions for a total of 175 persons inside the ticketing portion of the rink at any time. 

Can I bring my own skates?

Yes, attendees are welcome to bring their own skates. However, no ice hockey sticks or playing ice hockey are allowed.

Can I skate during sessions marked as “skate lessons only?”

Sessions marked “skate lessons only” are group lessons for all ages provided by the JHU Figure Skating Club. No free skating will take place during these sessions. Skate lessons may be a portion of the session followed by skating, but all attendees are required to participate in the lessons.

Are employment opportunities available at the Ice Rink?

You can review job postings on Ice-America’s website.

How will weather-related closures be determined and communicated?

Weather such as snow, wind, or heavy rain may impact skating conditions or conditions at the rink facility for staff and participants. In those cases, we may need to close or cancel skate sessions

Warmer weather conditions do not usually impact the rink.

Any weather-related closures will be communicated to registered participants using the email address provided as soon as possible once a decision has been made. Cancellations and delays will also be posted to the Ice Rink at Homewood website, so please be sure to visit the site before arriving to the rink.

Contact

Please send questions or comments to icerink@jh.edu.