Surrey opens a free outdoor ice rink at Civic Plaza for the Tree Lighting Festival, with more skating to follow through Feb. 16.
A First Glimpse of Surrey’s New Ice Rink
Surrey just added a burst of winter magic and it’s completely free to enjoy. A brand-new 4,000-square-foot outdoor ice rink has been set up at Surrey Civic Plaza, and it officially opens during the Tree Lighting Festival this weekend, Nov. 22–23. Visitors can skate from noon to 8 p.m. at no cost, and that alone makes it an instant attraction. Bring your own skates and helmet, or rent them with no fee during the festival.
But that’s only the beginning. After the celebration, the rink will reopen on Dec. 1 and continue welcoming skaters right through Family Day, Feb. 16.
Built for Fun, Designed to Impress
The rink sits inside a giant tent filled with festive touches. Overhead, concert-style lights shimmer, while music plays through a full sound system. Christmas trees and seasonal décor add extra cheer, and, amazingly, crews finished it in just about two weeks. The surface stretches 82 feet long and 50 feet wide, built by Ice-Canada Rinks Inc. their first project in Surrey.
However, because space is limited, wristbands and timeslots will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. So, arrive early and get ready to glide.
How the Ice Comes to Life
The setup might look magical, yet it relies on clever engineering. The rink uses an air-cooled chiller and water–propylene glycol system, and aluminum coils underneath boost energy efficiency. Moreover, the system works smoothly in any temperature, from 30°C heat to freezing cold, according to the production team. They install about 35 rinks every year across Canada and the U.S., from backyard builds to city projects and even TV sets.
What Happens After the Festival?
Once the Tree Lighting Festival wraps up, the rink will close briefly before reopening on Dec. 1 as Skating at Civic Plaza. More activities are coming, including seasonal events, comfortable seating, a café, and daily music. Operating hours will be 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., although holiday dates such as Dec. 24, 25, 26, 31 and Jan. 1 will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Starting Dec. 1, skate rentals will cost $5 per pair, so bringing personal gear is recommended. Additionally, school groups can reserve time on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, while private groups can book Saturday mornings. Details are available at surrey.ca/plazaskating.
A Step Toward a Livelier Downtown
The rink is part of a 12-week pilot project with a budget of about $1.28 million, created to help the city learn more about attendance, programming, and economic impact. Mayor Brenda Locke believes this is only the beginning. She says the rink brings life to City Centre and invites families, students, and seniors to stay longer, enjoy the plaza, and support local shops.
In short, Surrey is turning its downtown into a place where people not only visit—but return again and again.
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