Ice on the Landing’s grand opening is this weekend at the Chattanooga Choo Choo gardens. FRIDAY

GLIDE INTO THE HOLIDAYS AT THE DOWNTOWN ICE-SKATING RINK

Chattanooga Presents is partnering with presenting sponsor Volkswagen Chattanooga to return the popular ice-skating rink, Ice on the Landing, to the gardens of the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

Beginning Friday, Nov. 16, the 120-foot by 40-foot, open-air rink will offer the fun and nostalgia of outdoor ice-skating surrounded by gas lanterns, fountains and the holiday grandeur of the iconic Chattanooga Choo Choo.

The rink will open at 6 p.m. Friday with a live, hour-long performance by organist Buddy Shirk.

Ice on the Landing will be open every day for a nine-week season, closing Jan. 21, 2019. Hours Nov. 16 to Dec. 19 are 2-9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 2-11 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Holiday hours will go into effect Dec. 20, which can be found on its website.

Ticket pricing is $10 for an adult ticket, $8 for children ages 12 and under. Season passes are $100 for individuals, $200 for a family of four. Admission includes skate rental and a minimum two-hour skate session.

Weekly promotions will range from charity nights to pajama nights to tacky Christmas sweater nights. Ice on the Landing can host birthday parties for groups of up to 15 people. The rink is also available for private rentals by nonprofits and businesses.

Rink-side vending will include hot chocolate, coffee, soft drinks and water, along with Nutella crepes and ham-and-cheese crepes from Adelle’s Creperie.

Ice on the Landing was recently named Best (Outdoor) Ice Rink in Ten nessee by Step Outside magazine. More than 31,000 skaters enjoyed Chatta nooga’s only open-air holiday ice rink during the 2017 holiday season.

“We love being part of the entertainment district in the Southside, and it would be hard to imagine a more picture-perfect setting than the beauti ful gardens in the Choo Choo,” says Carla Pritchard, Chattanooga Presents owner.

“We are thrilled to return to this iconic landmark that offers so many amenities for our guests, such as convenient parking, shuttle s ervices, indoor restrooms, area restaurants and a new holiday market.”

Don’t know how to skate? No problem — Ice on the Landing will offer a basic skills skating class each Saturday morning prior to opening hours.

Check www.iceonthelanding.com for updates of special theme nights and holiday hours.

CHATTANOOGA PRESENTS CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

STAFF PHOTO BY ERIN O. SMITH Skates sit on a rack ready for guests at Ice on the Landing. Parents push their small children around the rink at Ice on the Landing. The open-air rink opens Friday, Nov. 16, remaining open through Jan. 21.