BETHLEHEM, Pa. — ArtsQuest's Ice Rink at SteelStacks, which in its second season drew more than 10,000 patrons, will return for a third year — with a reduced cost, the agency announced Tuesday.
The rink, which again will be erected in front of the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks stage at the foot of the blast furnaces, is scheduled to open Friday, Nov. 22, and run through Jan. 5.
The rink also will operate during Christkindlmarkt on the SteelStacks campus Nov. 22-Dec. 22.
“I can’t wait to see the Ice Rink at SteelStacks come back this season. ArtsQuest’s stellar operations and productions teams make the rink look like nothing else in the Lehigh Valley."ArtsQuest Senior Director of Programming Ryan Hill
The rink will again hold fun theme nights — Taylor Swift night returns Dec. 10 — and this year there will be added options for birthday parties and private events, according to an ArtsQuest news release.
“I can’t wait to see the Ice Rink at SteelStacks come back this season,” ArtsQuest Senior Director of Programming Ryan Hill said.
“ArtsQuest’s stellar operations and productions teams make the rink look like nothing else in the Lehigh Valley; it ties Christkindlmarkt and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks together beautifully during the holiday season."
This year's run will be 11 days shorter than last year's, when the rink stayed open until Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but closer to its initial run in 2022-23.
But the cost to skate will be $5 cheaper than last year: $18-$21 for ages 14 and older, and $15-$18 for 13 and younger. The cost for ArtsQuest members and for groups of 15 or more is $14-17.
Ticket prices include the cost of skates and a $1 fee. Patrons can bring their own skates, but the ticket price is the same.
Sessions and birthdays
Skating sessions will last 60 minutes, with 30-minute breaks between.
Tickets are on sale on the SteelStacks website.
On non-holiday Mondays, ages 12 and younger skate for half price — $7.50 at the 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. skating sessions.
Sensory friendly skate sessions also will be on non-holiday Mondays at 5 p.m. At those times, music and all blinking lights, including our lighted holiday decorations, will be turned off or lighted solid.
Skate aids will be free to rent, while supplies last.
On Tuesday December 3, 10 and 17, students with any student ID skate for $2 off during the 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. skating sessions.
Groups looking to the rink for exclusive sessions or for a birthday party at the rink should email Programming Specialist Alexis Kuczek at akuczek@artsquest.org with the desired date and time and the approximate number of skaters.
Birthday rentals are $200 and include covered seating for 90 minutes and five free skate admissions, and $15 for each additional skater.
Birthday party add-ons include a storybook party character appearance starting at $125 for 30 minutes, plain 16-inch Levy Pizza for $22 each (pepperoni $26 each), chicken tenders and French fry basket for $11 each and hot chocolate service at $5.50 per person for two hours.
Eagles, emo, 'Frozen,' Beyonce theme nights
The scheduled theme nights will run 6:30-8 p.m., unless listed otherwise. DJ Nights are only for skaters 21 and older; there will be drink specials at the bar.
The theme night schedule is:
• Bridgerton Skate - Nov. 25
• Elf Skate – Dec. 3
• Beyonce Skate – Dec. 4
• DJ Night: Brad Scott – Dec. 5
• Star Wars Skate - Dec. 7 (10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.)
• Frozen Skate – Dec. 8 (10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.)
• Pride Night – Dec. 8 (6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.)
• Taylor Swift Skate – Dec. 10 (5 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.)
• Emo for the Holidays – Dec. 11
• DJ Night: Jamal Knight – Dec. 12
• Bluey Skate – Dec. 14 (10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.)
• Grinch Skate – Dec. 15 (10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.)
• Eagles vs. Steelers Skate – Dec. 15 (4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.)
• HOT TO SKATE! – Dec. 17
• Y2K Skate – Dec. 18
• DJ Night: DJ Discowolfe – Dec. 19
• Holiday PJs Skate – Dec. 21 (10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.)
• Phantoms Skate - Dec. 22 (10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.)
• La Mega Skate – Dec. 22 (6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.)
Those who show up wearing something on theme for the Eagles vs. Steelers Skate, Holiday PJs Skate and Phantoms Skate get a discount.
