Is the Block 34 Ice Rink Coming Back to Stillwater? 2026–27 Dates, Hours & Where to Eat Nearby

Yes, the Block 34 ice rink is coming back to downtown Stillwater for a second season, from Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, through Saturday, Jan. 23, 2027, at 218 W. 9th Ave. According to Visit Stillwater, admission with skate rental is listed at $13. That gives downtown about eleven weeks of evenings with people gathered a block off Main Street.

When the rink was announced, Stacie McGrew, the City of Stillwater's Block 34 coordinator, told the Stillwater News Press: "When I was first hired, one of my goals was to bring an ice rink to Block 34. We hope this can become an annual holiday staple for Stillwater." It looks like it will. Hours, prices, and details can change, so check Block 34's website and social media before you go.

Season two runs ten days longer

The first season ran Nov. 12, 2025, through Jan. 18, 2026, according to the rink's 2025 ticket page. The 2026 listing opens five days earlier and closes five days later.

Opening on a Saturday means the first day falls on the weekend schedule, and last season started midweek. The added days fall in early November before Thanksgiving break and in the second half of January, after OSU's spring semester has started.

Before last season, Stillwater had gone a long time without a rink. A News Press photo caption from Stillwater's 2018 Winter Wonderland said it had been eight years since Stillwater had hosted one.

Block 34 ice rink hours

Visit Stillwater's 2026 listing posts these hours:

These hours and the $13 price for admission and skate rental match what the News Press reported for last season. The listing tells skaters to watch the Block 34 site for hours, pricing, and special events through the season, and last year the News Press noted that any delays would be posted on Block 34's social media. Check there before a cold or wet evening.

On weekdays the rink doesn't open until 4 p.m., so a school-night skate overlaps with dinner. That's the reason to plan the whole evening, not just the time on the ice.

How tickets worked last season

Last season's ticket page is a useful guide until the 2026 details are posted:

• General admission was sold at the rink.
• Season passes and gift certificates were sold online. Both included skate rental, and a gift certificate covered one session.
• Rental skates ran from toddler size 7 to adult size 13, subject to availability.
• Group rates and private rentals were handled by email at [email protected].
• Pass and certificate sales were final, and unused 2025 certificates did not carry over to the next season.

A gift certificate tucked into a stocking would need to be used before the Jan. 23 closing date. [Confirm that the 2026 ticket details are the same before you publish this section, or remove the email address if it has changed.]

Where to eat and warm up near the rink

Block 34 is a short walk from many of downtown's restaurants and cafés, so the rink is a good excuse to make a night of it downtown. These places appear in the Downtown Stillwater directory or in Visit Stillwater's listings, and all of them sit on 7th through 10th avenues. Holiday hours vary, so check each business before you go.

• Chuck's Public House, 205 W. 9th Ave. Burgers, salads, and sandwiches, across from Block 34.
• Empire Slice House, 116 W. 10th. Pizza by the slice or whole pie, salads, and garlic knots, an easy fit for a group coming off the ice.
• Tokyo Pot, 108 W. 10th St. Shabu-shabu, a hot-pot dinner for a cold January night.
• Balanced Coffee Co., 120 E. 9th Ave., Suite 2. Espresso, cold brew, manual brews, and sweet and savory treats.
• Aspen Coffee Company Downtown, 111 W. 7th Ave. Coffee and café fare.
• Stillwater Sweets Bakery, 110 W. 8th Ave. Baked goods and desserts.

On a weekday, the 4 p.m. opening gives you two easy plans: skate first and have dinner on 10th Avenue after, or grab coffee on 9th or 7th, skate once the lights come up, and stop for dessert on the way back to the car. On Saturdays, the noon opening makes it easy to fit lunch and an afternoon skate into a downtown outing.

Walking the extra block from the rink to the shops matters, too. Block 34 is still new to downtown, and local businesses benefit when skaters stay for dinner or a treat.

Holiday Parade of Lights: Thursday, Dec. 3

There's one date this season when downtown will be at its busiest. Visit Stillwater lists the 2026 Stillwater Holiday Parade of Lights in downtown Stillwater on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 6:30 p.m., free to attend. On a Thursday the rink is listed from 4 to 9 p.m., so a family could skate before the parade and still have time for dinner nearby.

It will also be one of the season's most crowded nights downtown. Arrive early, pick a dinner spot in advance, and watch Block 34's social channels for any changes to rink hours around the parade.

Frequently asked questions

When does the Block 34 ice rink open in 2026? It opens Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, and runs through Saturday, Jan. 23, 2027, according to Visit Stillwater.

Where is the Block 34 ice rink? It's at 218 W. 9th Ave. in downtown Stillwater.

How much does it cost to skate at Block 34? The 2026 listing shows $13 with skate rental, the same as last season. Check Block 34's website for current pricing.

What are the rink's hours? Monday through Thursday 4 to 9 p.m., Friday 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday noon to 9 p.m., with longer hours during Thanksgiving and winter breaks. Check Block 34's website and social media for changes.

Is there a holiday parade downtown? Yes. The Stillwater Holiday Parade of Lights is listed for Thursday, Dec. 3, at 6:30 p.m., free to attend.

Thinking about living near downtown Stillwater?

If the rink makes you wonder what it would be like to live here, I'm glad to talk it through, whether you've lived here for years or just arrived. See What Is It Like to Live in Stillwater? 7 Things Every Local Has Done or What Should You Know Before Moving to Stillwater?, or reach out and we'll start with your plans.

Thinking about moving to Stillwater? Join the Moving to Stillwater group on Facebook to ask questions and get local answers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/534271350873991

Ann Morgan is a REALTOR® with Real Estate Professionals in Stillwater, Oklahoma, specializing in new construction and OSU parent-buyer relocation. A five-time winner of Stillwater's Best Realtor award and a consistent top-3 agent in the Stillwater MLS. [Optional for community posts: Digital Mayor of Stillwater, Leadership Stillwater Class 23, Block 34 sponsor, and Saville Center board member. Confirm these are current.]

Sources: Visit Stillwater (2026 listing and Parade of Lights); the rink's 2025 ticket page; Stillwater News Press; KOSU; Downtown Stillwater directory.