The City Rink returns to downtown Dallas

The City Rink is back at Main Street Garden for another holiday season, and this year it runs from November 20 all the way to January 5. It's the same setup Dallas has come to expect: the rink sits at 1902 Main Street, right in the middle of downtown, and it's presented by Fossil and put together with Downtown Dallas, Inc. Ice Rink Events manages the day-to-day, so it's a well-oiled machine by now.

Hours shift depending on where you land in the season. From November 20 through December 17, it's open weekdays from 4:00 to 10:00 pm, Saturdays from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, and Sundays from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Once the school holidays hit — November 23 to 27 and December 18 through January 5 — the doors open at 10:00 am Monday through Saturday, with Sundays staying 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. The big holidays get their own hours: Thanksgiving Day 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, Christmas Eve 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, Christmas Day 1:00 to 7:00 pm, New Year's Eve 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, and New Year's Day 1:00 to 7:00 pm.

General admission is $18 plus taxes and fees, which covers 75 minutes on the ice and your skate rental. If you're planning to go more than a few times, a $65 season pass gives you unlimited entry and rentals for the whole run, though they only make a limited number of them. There are also a couple of ways to skate cheap: Cheap Skate Mondays on November 30, December 7 and 14 drop the price to $9, and Two-for-One Tuesdays on December 1, 8 and 15 get two people on the ice for $18. Groups of 10 or more can book a block on Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 pm between December 2 and 17, and private holiday parties are available by reservation for 50 or more guests.

Two dates are worth circling. The tree lighting ceremony is Saturday, November 21, with entertainment, ice performances and hot cocoa, and a rain date of November 28. Then the Dallas Holiday Parade rolls through on Saturday, December 5, from 9:00 to 11:00 am, and the rink stays open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm that day, so you can skate before or after the parade.

A few ground rules are worth knowing before you go. Kids under 12 need an adult with them, children who can't walk aren't allowed to skate, and you can't carry kids while you're on the ice. Socks are required, though you're welcome to bring your own skates as long as they're in good shape. Rentals cover sizes from toddler 8 to adult 15, plus double-runner skates. The venue is wheelchair accessible, with skate assists available for $7 a session on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are non-refundable but can be rescheduled, the venue is cashless, and everyone needs to sign a waiver each time they skate, with parents signing for minors.

Getting there is easy. Main Street Garden is bordered by Main, St. Paul, Commerce and Harwood streets, with garages, surface lots and street meters nearby — many meters go free after 6:00 pm and on weekends. It's also close to several DART bus and light rail stops, so you can leave the car at home.