The 5 Mississippi Ice Skating Rinks Opening For The Holidays
Mississippi winters rarely bring snow, so finding real ice under your feet feels like a small holiday miracle. Every year, though, rinks pop up across the state in parks, arenas, and even a baseball stadium.
Kids get to wobble, giggle, and glide while parents sip cocoa and snap photos. Here are five spots where your family can lace up skates and make a cold-weather memory without leaving the South.
1. Brandon on Ice, Brandon, MS
Old soccer fields rarely get a second act this charming. Every holiday season, Crossgates Park in Brandon trades goal nets for a real outdoor ice rink, and the whole place starts to feel like a Christmas card come to life.
Families come here for more than skating. The venue mixes in a kids zone, live music, concessions, and contests, so younger children who tire of the ice still have plenty to keep them busy.
Restrooms are on site, which parents of little ones will appreciate after a few laps.
Timing matters at this rink. The most recent season ran from late November into mid-January, but open hours change depending on the day of the week and the holidays, so checking the rink’s website and Facebook page before you drive over is a smart move.
Tickets are best bought ahead of time, especially on busy weekends when local families pack the ice. Plan for an evening visit if you can.
The festive atmosphere really shines once the sun goes down and the music picks up.
Find it at 217 Woodgate Dr S in Brandon. For families in the Jackson area, it makes an easy holiday tradition that feels big without a long drive.
2. Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, Biloxi, MS
Picture this: palm trees and the Gulf of Mexico just outside, and a sheet of smooth ice waiting inside. That mix of beach and winter makes the Mississippi Coast Coliseum one of the most unusual skating stops on this list.
Sitting right on Beach Blvd in Biloxi, the coliseum hosts concerts, festivals, and a hockey team. During the holidays, it opens public ice skating sessions, often in late December when kids are out of school.
It has been known as the only public ice rink between Baton Rouge and Pensacola, so families come from all along the coast.
Crowds are real here. Lines can form well before sessions begin, and arriving early, sometimes up to two hours ahead on busy nights, is wise.
If you plan to skate after a hockey game, know that lining up early may mean leaving the game before it ends.
Parents will like the clean restrooms and changing tables. Parking options include free and paid lots plus street parking, and buying tickets in advance is recommended.
Pair your skate session with a stroll along the beach for a holiday day that mixes sand and ice in one trip.
3. Trustmark Park, Pearl, MS
Baseballs and ice skates do not usually share a home. At Trustmark Park in Pearl, though, the ballpark that hosts minor league games in summer becomes part of a glowing holiday festival once December arrives.
The seasonal celebration, known as The Southern Lights, brings twinkling light displays, festive food, fire pits for s’mores, and train rides. Ice skating joined the lineup recently, and plans call for an even bigger rink in the next season.
Kids can bounce from skating to the train to the lights without ever leaving the grounds.
Smart planning saves money. All-inclusive tickets that bundle ice skating and the train ride for only a few dollars more are a strong deal, and buying them by late afternoon on your visit date is wise since they can sell out.
The park already has a reputation as a budget-friendly family stop, with affordable tickets and free parking. Changing tables and restrooms make life easier for parents with babies or toddlers in tow.
You will find the park at 1 Monsters Aly, just outside Jackson. Dress in layers, since the evening air gets chilly, and save room for a s’more by the fire.
4. Huntington Bank Arena, Tupelo, MS
Downtown Tupelo has plenty of history, but each winter break its big arena on Main Street steals some attention with a frozen floor. The space that usually hosts concerts and conferences turns into a public ice rink for the holiday season.
Families who visit tend to notice two things right away: the place is clean, and events run smoothly. Staff are friendly and helpful, which makes a difference when you are fitting skates on a nervous first-timer.
Big, tidy restrooms help too.
Sessions have drawn crowds around the days between Christmas and New Year’s, so plan for company on the ice. The arena tends to be busiest on Saturday evenings, so a weekday or Sunday visit may give kids more room to practice.
In past seasons, admission ran around twelve dollars per person with skate rental included.
Parking is easy, with free lots and street spaces nearby. Arena hours are generally long, but public skating times change by season, so check the schedule online before heading out.
Make it a full outing by exploring downtown Tupelo afterward. Kids who just learned to glide will have plenty to talk about over a warm snack.
5. Mid-South Ice House, Olive Branch, MS
Pop-up rinks come and go, but this one stays frozen all year. Mid-South Ice House in Olive Branch is a modern indoor arena with an NHL-regulation sheet of ice, and during the holidays it becomes a favorite stop for families wanting a full-size skating experience.
Size is the big draw. The huge rink gives beginners space to wobble without bumping into speedy skaters, and seating both inside and outside the glass lets parents watch comfortably.
Concessions are reasonably priced, so a snack break will not break the budget.
Inclusion stands out here as well. The rink offers accommodations for children with disabilities, helping more kids join the fun.
Staff work hard to keep the facility clean and well maintained.
Beyond open skating, the arena supports figure skating, hockey, lessons, and even curling, and a pro shop is on site. A holiday visit could spark a brand-new hobby for a curious kid.
Public skate times are set in afternoon blocks most days, with evening sessions on Fridays and Saturdays, and the rink is closed Tuesdays. Holiday schedules can shift, so check online before you go.
The arena sits at 10705 Ridgeway Industrial Dr, near the Tennessee line.