Skaters will glide along Charleston Harbor again this Thanksgiving, as Ice Skating on the Point returns to Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina's Lookout Pavilion in Mount Pleasant. The synthetic rink opens Nov. 26 and runs through Jan. 18, 2027, with brand-new rental skates and skate aids meant to help everyone from toddlers to adults find their footing on the ice.
The attraction has become something of a wintertime tradition on the waterfront, having operated for five years, according to seasonal attraction organizers. This year's schedule puts the rink open on select Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Nov. 26 and Jan. 18, 2027, according to the event listing on Boldtype Tickets. Admission starts at $18 plus tax on select Thursday nights, and every ticket includes skate rental, crafts, special events and a candy wall token redeemable at the Marina Store.
Rental skates this season span toddler size 6 through men's size 13, per the same listing, so the rink is built to accommodate skaters of nearly any age or shoe size. Organizers describe Ice Skating on the Point as a non-toxic, eco-friendly alternative to traditional ice rinks, and WCBD News 2 reports the rink runs on rental skates and skate aids rather than refrigeration units.
No Water, No Freezing Required
Unlike a conventional ice sheet, the rink material is described as 100% recyclable and able to operate without water, energy or below-freezing temperatures, according to a statement the resort gave to WCBD News 2 in an earlier report on the attraction. That same report noted the rink gets cleaned every hour on days it's open, and skates are sharpened after every use.
The approach fits a broader shift happening in the ice-rink industry. Synthetic surfaces can be installed virtually anywhere without the immense amounts of energy and water that conventional rinks require, according to a C&EN report on the trend, which notes that rinks are now popping up even in sweltering desert cities such as Dubai and Riyadh. That makes a synthetic surface a practical fit for a Lowcountry winter that rarely sees a hard freeze.
Fire Pits, Gondolas and a Holiday Parade Closure
Beyond the ice itself, the resort has built out a waterfront scene around the rink. Seasonal festivities include rink-side gondolas, kid-friendly inflatables and fire pits available to rent for marshmallow roasting and s'mores, alongside gingerbread house building. Reservations are required for the rink, and tickets are nonrefundable, per Holy City Sinner's report on the rink's 2026 return.
For those wanting to extend the evening, rinkside firepit rentals cost $50 plus tax per hour for up to four people and include two s'mores kits, the outlet reports. Waterfront gondola rentals run $85 plus tax per hour for up to 10 people and come with four s'mores kits. The rink is open to resort guests and the general public alike, and organizers plan to keep the ice accessible with waterfront views of Charleston Harbor as the backdrop.
Skaters should note two scheduled closures this season: the rink will be closed Dec. 13 because the Mount Pleasant Holiday Parade shuts down traffic on Patriots Point Road, and it will also close for Christmas Day. The event is located at 24 Patriots Point Road in Mount Pleasant, and tickets for the full Thanksgiving-through-January run are on sale now.
