Surrey’s first free outdoor skating rink debuts at Surrey Civic Plaza this weekend as part of the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival, with the full Skating at Civic Plaza program officially launching Dec. 1.
Residents and visitors can enjoy a festive outdoor experience, with free skating at the new 4,000-square-foot rink and other family-friendly activities through Family Day, Feb. 16, 2026.
“Skating at Civic Plaza is about creating a lively, vibrant space where people can connect and enjoy the season together,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “This exciting pilot project delivers a free, inclusive venue that everyone can enjoy. Projects like these are an important step toward building a vibrant downtown in Surrey.”
During the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival, the rink is expected to be a popular feature with free skate and helmet rentals and will have limited capacity at one time. To help manage capacity, wristbands with timeslots will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of one timeslot per person.
After the festival, the outdoor rink and tent will be closed from Nov. 24–28 as staff prepare the full Skating at Civic Plaza program on Dec. 1. Visitors will find seasonal activities, a café, and cozy seating areas, making the rink a welcoming space for families, students, and seniors to enjoy skating and holiday fun. Skate rentals will be available for $5 per pair starting Dec. 1. School groups can reserve rink times on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings starting Dec. 2. Private groups will also be able to reserve times on Saturday mornings starting Dec. 6.
From Dec. 1, the skating rink and other activities under the tent at Civic Plaza will be open daily from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., with adjusted hours of 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 24, 25, 26, 31 and Jan. 1. A limited number of skates and helmets will be available to rent, and visitors are encouraged to bring their own equipment. Weekends and evenings are expected to be busy, so skaters are encouraged to arrive early.
For the latest details about the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival, visit surreytreelighting.ca.For updates on Skating at Civic Plaza, including hours, rentals, group bookings and upcoming activities, visit surrey.ca/plazaskating.
