The Rink Pop Up Ice Skating at Rising Melbourne, 2023

Rug up, as winter is here, and kids and grown-ups alike won’t want to pass on the opportunity to get skates on and enjoy a winter special at The Rink at the Rising Festival in Melbourne.

The Rink at Rising Melbourne

The Rink at Rising is situated behind Federation square for five weeks and is a fun family experience, combining ice skating with great music, lighting and a range of soul warming food and drinks.

As a pop-up event so won’t be on for long. Get your skates on (literally and figuratively) and get on down for something new before it moves on.

The Rink is well maintained, with a 15-minute half time break to clean the rink surface to smooth bumps.

Mums Little Explorers enjoyed a 6pm session, which provided a pleasant atmosphere, with festive lighting, background DJ music and decorations which created a joyful ambiance to the excitement of skating.

The Rink Ice Skating at Rising Melbourne

The rink was a good size to accommodate the number of skaters. With the friendly staff helpful for skate fitting. Helmets were available as was ride assistance for beginners.

If you think you could never skate, that it sounds too hard, and too cold! I get it – I was the same but didn’t fall once and was lapping around with confidence by the end of our session.

Our youngest had no fear and was skating with and without her kangaroo helper by the end of the session.

The elder, a little more conservative stuck to the kangaroo and was just starting to get comfortable without it by the end of the session.

Mums Little Explorers are now budding skating enthusiasts, and the little ones enjoyed it so much they cried when we had to leave.

Hot food and drinks are available for purchase nearby at the Rink Food Hall (free to enter).

There are a range of foods available such as hot chocolate, hot dogs, pizza, pies, crepes to name a few.

A range of drinks are available such as hot chocolate, coffee, cocktails or wine or beer from the fully stocked bar. No external food within the rink is permitted.

Tips for your visit to The Rink

Dress warm, bring socks, hold on kangaroos available for beginner kid skaters.
Skates provided.
Arrive 15-30 minutes prior to your session time to get your skates on (signed your waiver). There are no refunds if you miss your session.
Hire the kanga aids for kids and beginners.
Children under 3 are not allowed on the ice. With under 12 needing to be accompanied on the ice by a skating adult.

Details

Where:
Birrarung Marr, Lower Terrace (Behind Federation Square)
A short walk along the Yarra River from Flinders Street Station.
When:
Thursday 1 June – Saturday 8 July 2023
The Rink precinct is free to enter.
Website https://rising.melbourne/festival-program/the-rink-at-rising
Parking:
Federation Car Park is easy, a short walk to the rink.

*Contributor – Jo Leditschke