Rice Park Opens For Skating Season With New Warming House

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - With all the cold temperatures, you might as well get out and enjoy the elements this holiday weekend.

One place open for skating, starting Saturday, is Rice Park in St. Paul.

The skating season starts at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Free rentals will be provided on opening night.

This year, the park features a new warming house, built by McGough Construction.

The house features several plush couches, donated by a local furniture company, Becker Furniture World.

The gigantic tree in Rice Park will be lit 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with 15,000 energy-efficient LED lights. The park will sparkle with millions of twinkling lights, classic Nutcracker and angel statues, and other holiday décor.

Here's the schedule for opening night Saturday: 

Stage Schedule:

4:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.: The Choo Choo Bob Band
5 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Tree Lighting, including performances by Ordway's production of A Christmas Story, Saint Paul Hotel's It's A Wonderful Life ~ A Live Radio Play and the Minnesota Dance Collaborative's glamorous high-kick precision line, Illuminaires.
5:30 p.m.: Fireworks

Wells Fargo WinterSkate Rink:

4 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Skating demonstrations
5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Open Ceremonies & Ribbon Cutting with The Wells Fargo Choir
6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.: Free open skate and skate rental