When you want to go ice skating this weekend, the question is not really "where are the rinks." It is "which one has public skating when I am free, and is anything different this week." That second part trips people up, because rink schedules in Nashville change week to week, and the official pages do not always keep up. This guide is the fast answer, plus how to confirm the live schedule before you load the car.
Where can you ice skate in Nashville this weekend?
For a typical weekend, your indoor options are Centennial Sportsplex near downtown, the Ford Ice Centers in Bellevue and Antioch (and Clarksville a bit farther out), and Gary Force Acura Ice Arena in Nolensville for the south side. All of them run public skating sessions, though the days and times shift, so the move is to pick the closest rink and check its current schedule on its page here before you go. In the winter holiday season you also get the seasonal outdoor rinks, which we cover separately.
The reason to check first is simple. A rink that usually has a Saturday afternoon public session can swap it out for a hockey tournament, a skating competition, or a special event, and the only way to know is the current week's schedule. We flag the changes we know about at the top of each rink's page, but the official calendar is always the final word.
Centennial Sportsplex (near downtown)
Centennial Sportsplex Ice Arenas is the closest indoor ice to downtown and the most central choice for a weekend skate. It has two sheets, with public skating typically on Rink A, and it runs both public sessions and figure skating freestyle sessions through the week. Public skate at Centennial is on the affordable end, with skate rental included, which is part of why adult recreational skaters like it for a longer, low-key session.
One thing to know right now: Centennial is under new management by the Nashville Predators, and the schedule has been moving around as that transition settles, so the current week's calendar matters more than usual here. Check the live schedule and any posted changes on the Centennial Sportsplex page before you head over.
Ford Ice Center (Bellevue and Antioch)
The Predators-run Ford Ice Centers in Bellevue and Antioch are well-run, modern multi-sheet facilities with regular public skating. They book public sessions through the DaySmart system, which means you can see the current week's public-skate times and reserve a spot online rather than guessing. Pricing runs a bit higher than Centennial, with a matinee rate and an evening rate, skates included. These are a strong weekend choice for families in the western and southeastern suburbs.
Gary Force Acura Ice Arena (Nolensville)
If you are south of the city in Nolensville, Brentwood, or Franklin, Gary Force Acura Ice Arena is the convenient option. It is a full NHL-size sheet that runs public skate, stick and puck, and freestyle through an online events calendar, so check that calendar for the weekend's public-skate windows. Prices are not posted publicly, so plan to confirm at the rink or by phone.
Ford Ice Center Clarksville
A bit farther out, Ford Ice Center in Clarksville, inside F&M Bank Arena downtown, is the place to skate if you are up in Clarksville or northern Montgomery County. Public skate is booked on DaySmart with a matinee and an evening rate, skates included. Worth knowing if a weekend trip takes you that direction.
How to confirm the weekend schedule before you go
The single best habit: check the rink's current schedule the day before or the morning of, not a week ahead. Public-skate times are posted close to the date, and they move. Here is the order that saves a wasted drive:
First, open the rink's page here and read the status note at the top. If something changed this week, a closure, a shortened session, a sheet swap for a tournament, that is where we flag it. Second, follow through to the rink's own calendar or booking link for the exact times, since that is the source of truth. Third, if it is a holiday weekend or you are driving any distance, a quick phone call confirms it. Holiday weekends in particular are when schedules get altered for camps and events.
Public skate versus freestyle: which session do you want?
If you are coming out to skate casually, glide around, or bring first-timers, you want a public skating session. It is the cheaper, open-to-everyone ice, and it is also good practice time for beginners who want to work on the basics without a lesson. If you are a figure skater wanting to practice jumps and spins, you want a freestyle session instead, which is structured practice ice run through the skating academy rather than open public skate. The rink pages break out both, so you can find the right one for your weekend.
What to bring for a weekend session
You do not need much. Skate rental is included at most Nashville rinks, so you can show up empty-handed, but a few things make it better. Wear long pants and thin socks, bring gloves (hands hit the ice first and the ice is cold and hard), and dress in layers you can shed once you warm up. If you are bringing young kids, a helmet is the smart call, and knee pads, elbow pads, and gloves all help on a busy public session where falls happen. If you skate often enough to own skates, this is the weekend to make sure they are sharp.
A note on the holidays and seasonal rinks
From late November through early January, Nashville adds outdoor and pop-up rinks to the mix, like the seasonal setups downtown and at the big resorts, which are great for a festive weekend outing even if they are pricier and weather-dependent. The rest of the year, the indoor rinks above are your reliable options. Either way, the same rule holds: check the current schedule before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go ice skating in Nashville this weekend?
The main indoor options are Centennial Sportsplex near downtown, the Ford Ice Centers in Bellevue and Antioch, and Gary Force Acura Ice Arena in Nolensville, all of which run weekend public skating. Pick the closest rink and check its current schedule on its page here, since public-skate times shift week to week.
How do I know if the public skating schedule changed this week?
Check the rink's page here first, where we flag known changes at the top, then confirm on the rink's own calendar or booking link. Schedules move for tournaments, competitions, and holiday events, so always confirm the day before or the morning of.
Is ice skating in Nashville open on holiday weekends?
Usually yes, but holiday weekends are exactly when schedules get altered for camps and special events, and some days may be closed. Check the current schedule and call ahead if you are driving any distance on a holiday weekend.
How much does public skating cost in Nashville?
It varies by rink. Centennial Sportsplex is on the affordable end with skates included; the Ford Ice Centers run a higher matinee and evening rate, skates included; Gary Force does not post prices publicly. See each rink's page for current pricing.
Can I just walk in, or do I need to book ahead?
Plan to book online. Centennial and the Ford Ice Centers use DaySmart for current schedules, waivers, and registration. Gary Force uses the events calendar on its website. Confirm the selected location and session before you leave home.
Start with the full Nashville ice skating guide to compare every rink, or read Public Skating in Nashville for schedules, times, and prices in depth.
Related planning guide
For crowd timing, fresh ice, and the quietest windows, read the best time to go ice skating.