Independent guide. Not affiliated with any city or municipality. Always confirm on the official page before you go.

Free & outdoor skating in the Lower Mainland

Outdoor and covered rinks, free and very low-cost skates, and outdoor boxes the city says are free or lit. Everything here comes from an official page we read on Nov 1, 2026, with the link beside it. Seasonal rinks that have not posted this season’s dates are marked as not confirmed.

Last checked Nov 1, 2026
Seasonal rinks change. Opening dates, hours and weather closures are the operator’s call. Check the linked page before you go.

Outdoor and covered rinks (seasonal)

Skating at Civic Plaza (Surrey)

City has posted datesOutdoor / covered

The City lists daily skating from Nov 26, 2026 to Feb 15, 2027. It is not open yet.

Surrey Civic Plaza, 13450 104 Ave, Surrey (covered outdoor rink in a tent)

  • Surrey Tree Lighting Festival weekend, Nov 21 and 22, 2026, 12 pm to 7:40 pm: free skating; bring your own skates and helmet or rent them free on site; wristbands for 40-minute timeslots. Source: surreytreelighting.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
  • After the festival the rink is open daily Nov 26, 2026 to Feb 15, 2027. Regular hours: Mon-Fri public skate 3-9 pm; Sat-Sun 12-9 pm; 40-minute sessions followed by 20 minutes of ice cleaning. Wristbands are required. Source: surrey.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
  • The Festival page says visitors can keep enjoying free skating through the winter season. Source: surreytreelighting.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
  • City page (read Nov 2, 2026): skate rental is $5 a pair per timeslot, debit or credit card only; helmets are free to rent, strongly recommended for everyone and required for kids 12 and under. Source: surrey.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
  • Winter-break and holiday hours on the City page still show last season's dates, so those are not confirmed for this season. Paid parking is under the plaza. Source: surrey.ca, read Nov 1, 2026

Skate Plaza at The Shipyards (North Vancouver)

Opening date not announcedOutdoor / covered

The City says it reopens in late November 2026 and has not posted a date.

The Shipyards, Lower Lonsdale waterfront, City of North Vancouver (covered rink)

  • Reopening for the 2026/2027 season in late November; follow the City's social media or CityView eNews for the date. Source: cnv.org, read Nov 1, 2026
  • During the season: daily skating; guests who bring their own skates skate for free; free helmets and skate aids. Rental skates (limited quantities) $8 adults, $5.50 kids; helmets mandatory for kids 12 and under. Source: cnv.org, read Nov 1, 2026
  • Ice cleaning closes the rink at 1:30, 3:30 and 5:30 pm daily for about 30 minutes; rentals close at 7:30 pm. Season hours are not posted yet. Source: cnv.org, read Nov 1, 2026

Robson Square Ice Rink (Vancouver)

Not confirmed for this seasonOutdoor / covered

The official site says the rink is closed for the season and plans to re-open in December 2026. No dates are posted.

800 Robson St, Vancouver (outdoor rink)

  • "CLOSED for the season, with plans to re-open in December 2026. Please check back for more information as we approach next season." Source: robsonsquare.com, read Nov 1, 2026
  • Last season (not this one): open Nov 28, 2025 to Feb 28, 2026, 9 am-9 pm daily, weather permitting. Rentals were $5 including tax; helmets free with a skate rental and mandatory for 12 and under. Source: robsonsquare.com, read Nov 1, 2026
  • The official pages we read list rental prices but do not state an admission price, so we do not call it free. Check the site once dates are posted. Source: robsonsquare.com, read Nov 1, 2026

Dated free and $1 skates at indoor rinks

RinkWhenWhatSource
Pitt Meadows Arena ComplexFri Nov 27, 2026, 12-2 pm$1 Pro-D Day skatepittmeadows.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Pitt Meadows Arena ComplexMon Feb 15, 2027, 12-2 pmFree family skatepittmeadows.ca, read Nov 1, 2026

Weekly skates priced under $5 in the listings

Sessions whose own listing gives a price under $5 (Toonie skates and similar named skates, plus a few other low-priced sessions). Not every city names one; where it does not, nothing is listed here, which does not mean there is none.

RinkSessionPriceWhen (weekly)Source
Abbotsford Recreation Centre (ARC)
Abbotsford
Ice Experience - Toonie Skate$2Mon 8 pm–9 pm; Fri 8 pm–9 pmabbotsford.perfectmind.com, read Nov 1, 2026
Abbotsford Recreation Centre (ARC)
Abbotsford
Public Skate - Toonie Skate$2Thu 2:45 pm–3:45 pmabbotsford.perfectmind.com, read Nov 1, 2026
Bill Copeland Sports Centre
Burnaby
Toonie Skate$2Wed 12 pm–1:15 pm; Fri 1:30 pm–3:15 pmburnaby.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Kensington Complex
Burnaby
Toonie Skate$2Mon 11:45 am–1:15 pm; Thu 11:45 am–1:15 pmburnaby.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre
Burnaby
Teen Toonie Skate & Activities$2Sat 7:30 pm–8:45 pmburnaby.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre
Burnaby
Toonie Skate$2Tue 11:45 am–1 pm; Thu 11:45 am–1 pmburnaby.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre
Burnaby
Toonie Skate & Activities$2Thu 3:15 pm–4:45 pmburnaby.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Chilliwack Coliseum
Chilliwack
Parent & Tot$3.65Tue 12 pm–1:15 pm; Thu 1:45 pm–3 pmchilliwack.com, read Nov 1, 2026
Chilliwack Coliseum
Chilliwack
Sensory Friendly Skate$2Thu 3:15 pm–4:45 pmchilliwack.com, read Nov 1, 2026
Chilliwack Coliseum
Chilliwack
Toonie Public Skate$2Tue 3:15 pm–4:45 pmchilliwack.com, read Nov 1, 2026
Sardis Sports Complex (formerly Twin Rinks)
Chilliwack
Parent & Tot$3.65Mon 11:45 am–1:15 pm; Wed 11:30 am–1 pmchilliwack.com, read Nov 1, 2026
Sardis Sports Complex (formerly Twin Rinks)
Chilliwack
Sensory Friendly Skate$2Mon 1:30 pm–2:45 pmchilliwack.com, read Nov 1, 2026
Sardis Sports Complex (formerly Twin Rinks)
Chilliwack
Toonie Public Skate$2Mon 3:15 pm–4:45 pm; Wed 3:15 pm–4:45 pmchilliwack.com, read Nov 1, 2026
Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex
Coquitlam
50+ Toonie Skate$2Mon 1:30 pm–2:30 pmcoquitlam.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex
Coquitlam
Adult & Child Toonie Skate (0-6 yrs)$2Mon 12:15 pm–1:15 pm; Fri 11 am–12 pm; Sun 9:15 am–10:15 amcoquitlam.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex
Coquitlam
Family Skate$3.6Sun 2:45 pm–4 pmcoquitlam.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex
Coquitlam
Toonie Skate$2Mon 8:15 pm–9:15 pm; Tue 11:30 am–12:45 pm; Thu 11:30 am–12:45 pm; Fri 12:15 pm–1:30 pmcoquitlam.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex
Coquitlam
Youth Toonie Skate (11-18)$2Fri 8:30 pm–9:30 pmcoquitlam.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre
North Vancouver
$2 Family Skate$2Wed 11 am–12:30 pm; Fri 3:45 pm–5:45 pmnvrc.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre
North Vancouver
$2 Parent Participation Skate$2Wed 9 am–10:30 amnvrc.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Karen Magnussen Community Recreation Centre
North Vancouver
$2 Family Skate$2Wed 3:45 pm–5:15 pmnvrc.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Port Coquitlam Community Centre (Arenas 1 and 3)
Port Coquitlam
Toonie Skate$2Mon 12 pm–1 pm; Tue 12 pm–1 pm; Wed 12 pm–1 pm; Thu 12 pm–1 pm; Fri 12 pm–1 pmportcoquitlam.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Port Moody Recreation Complex (2 arenas)
Port Moody
Toonie Skate$2Fri 1 pm–3 pmportmoody.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Minoru Arenas
Richmond
Adult Toonie Skate$2Mon 12:15 pm–1:15 pm; Tue 12:15 pm–1:15 pm; Thu 12:15 pm–1:15 pm; Fri 12:15 pm–1:15 pmrichmond.ca, read Nov 1, 2026
Kerrisdale Cyclone Taylor Arena
Vancouver
Discount Public Skate$3.97Tue 10:15 am–11:45 am, 12 pm–1:45 pmanc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com, read Nov 1, 2026
Killarney Rink
Vancouver
Discount Skate$3.96Thu 1:30 pm–3:15 pm; Fri 3:15 pm–4:45 pmanc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com, read Nov 1, 2026
Kitsilano Rink
Vancouver
Discount Public Skate$3.97Wed 3:15 pm–4:30 pmanc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com, read Nov 1, 2026
Trout Lake Rink
Vancouver
Discount Skate$3.96Mon 1:30 pm–3:15 pmanc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com, read Nov 1, 2026
West Vancouver Ice Arena
West Vancouver
Toonie Public Skate$2Wed 6:15 pm–7:45 pm; Fri 2:45 pm–3:45 pmwestvancouver.ca, read Oct 31, 2026

Outdoor boxes the city lists as free to use

BoxSportsCost per the sourceChecked
Sohen Gill Sports Box at Confederation
Burnaby
lacrosse, ball hockeyFree drop-in2026-11-01
Jack Crosby Sports Box at Riverway
Burnaby
lacrosse, ball hockeyFree drop-in2026-11-01
Cariboo Hill Sports Box
Burnaby
lacrosse, ball hockeyFree drop-in2026-11-01
Moody Park lacrosse box
New Westminster
lacrosse, ball hockey, roller hockeyFree, first come first served2026-10-30
Hume Park lacrosse box
New Westminster
lacrosse, ball hockey, roller hockeyFree, first come first served2026-10-30
Grimston Park lacrosse box
New Westminster
lacrosse, ball hockey, roller hockeyFree, first come first served2026-10-30

Outdoor boxes with confirmed lights

BoxSportsLights, per the sourceChecked
Sohen Gill Sports Box at Confederation
Burnaby
lacrosse, ball hockeyLights are available 7:30 am-10 pm. Press the green buttons. Lights stay on for 2 hours at a time and turn off automatically at 10 pm.2026-11-01
Jack Crosby Sports Box at Riverway
Burnaby
lacrosse, ball hockeyLights are available 7:30 am-10 pm. Press the green buttons. Lights stay on for 2 hours at a time and turn off automatically at 10 pm.2026-11-01
Myrtle Park lit lacrosse box (District of North Vancouver)
North Vancouver
lacrosse, ball hockeyYes (listed as "lit" by NVRC; light hours not confirmed)2026-10-30
Brent Boutilier Memorial Multi-Use Sports Box (Centennial Park)
Mission
lacrosseYes (available during operating hours)2026-11-01

0 of 48 boxes in our list have lights marked “not confirmed”; that is not the same as “no lights”. See the full box guide.