Ice Rink Closings and Delays

Johns Hopkins is excited to bring back the Ice Rink at the Homewood campus for its fourth 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 for skaters) is free of charge for all participants. The Ice Rink has a new location for 2025, 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 should include anyone who enters the Ice Rink premises, regardless of their age or participation in skating. Anyone age 15 or younger 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. 10, 2025, and operate through Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, 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. 10-12, 2025: 

• Friday, Jan. 10, 2025: (JHU affiliates only) Noon–11:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025: (JHU affiliates and open to the general public) 8 a.m.–11:30 p.m. 
• Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025: (JHU affiliates and open to the general public) 8 a.m.–11:30 p.m. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: 

• Monday, Jan. 20, 2025: (JHU affiliates and open to the general public) 8 a.m.–11:30 p.m. 

Ice Rink Location and Parking

The ice rink has a new location, 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 is available in the North Visitor Lot after 4 p.m. on weekdays (Monday-Friday) and all day on weekends (Saturday-Sunday). Nearby metered street parking is also available Monday-Sunday.  

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.  

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and accessible Ice Rink experience. Our team is actively working to identify and address accessibility needs, including parking accommodations. We understand the importance of clear and accurate information and will update this page to reflect the most current resources and services available for parking. Please check back soon for updated details. 

Skate Time Registration

Each attendee is required 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. An email confirmation with more details will be sent after registration is completed. 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. 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. 

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 the Registration page. Attendees are also encouraged to opt-in for SMS/text message updates when reserving tickets.  

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. Once you have signed a waiver for this 2025 season you do not need to sign another one.  

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

Skate Rentals

Skates are complimentary and limited to the 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 XL skate sizes for adults (1-2 pairs size 15). Skate aids will also be available for children and those with physical disabilities. 

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. Wheelchairs are permitted on the rink. Individuals who use a wheelchair can enter the rink accompanied by either 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. Waivers must be completed by all skaters. 

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

Ice Rink Rules

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

Theme Nights

• Blue Jay Tuesdays: All sessions on Jan. 14, 21, and 28, and Feb. 4, 11, and 18 – Show your Blue Jay spirit skating in your Hopkins or blue swag 
• Student Experience Group Skate Night: Thursday, Jan. 18 for the Noon-1:30 p.m. session 
• FLI Network and JUMP Skate Night: Friday, Jan. 24 for the 6-7:30 p.m. session 
• TBA: Saturday, Jan. 25 for the 10-11:30 a.m. session and the Noon-1:30 p.m. session 
• TBA: Thursday, Jan. 30 for the 6-7:30 p.m. session 
• TBA: Monday, Feb. 3 for the 4-5:30 p.m. session 
• RA Skate Night: Wednesday, Feb. 5 for the 6-7:30 p.m. session. RAs join together with RDs and staff for a fun night of skating. 
• AppreciSkate:  Thursday, Feb. 6 for the 4-5:30 p.m. session with University Experiential Learning  
• JHU Eastern Grad Skate Night with Bloomberg School of Public Health, Medicine, and School of Nursing: Friday, Feb. 7 for the 8-9:30 p.m. session 
• TBA: Tuesday, Feb. 11 for the 4-5:30 p.m. session 
• KSAS/WSE/Education/Peabody Graduate Student Skate Night: Thursday, Feb. 14 for the 6-7:30 p.m. session 
• TBA:  Saturday, Feb. 15 for the 4-5:30 p.m. session 
• JHFRE Staff Skate: Tuesday, Feb. 18 for the 12-1:30 p.m. session 
• TBA: Wednesday, Feb. 19 for the 6-7:30 p.m. session 
• Student Affairs Skate Night: Thursday, Feb. 20 for the 4-5:30 p.m. session 
• DC Grad Skate Night with SAIS, EP, and Carey Business School: Friday, Feb. 21 for the 8-9:30 p.m. session 
• TBA: Saturday, Feb. 22 for the 8-9:30 p.m. session 

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. 

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 has a new location for 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 Disability Support Services to ensure that the site and facilities meet all ADA requirements. 

How will the Ice Rink site be secured? 

The site includes two entrances: one for JHU affiliates and another for members of the public with security 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 up to 100 individuals on the ice, along with 75 non-skating companions for a total of up to 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.

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 as soon as possible once a decision has been made, using the email address provided and SMS/text if you opted-in during registration.  

Cancellations and delays will be noted on the Registration page. 

Contact

Please send questions or comments to icerink@jh.edu