The Free Winter Hangout You Didn’t Know You Needed
The centre of the Kamloops Riverside Park skating rink, showcasing food trucks and fire pits, February 12.
The City of Kamloops unveiled the brand new hangout spot, a skating rink within Riverside Park that is a blast for people of all ages.
On January 7th, 2026, the city opened a free community skating rink in downtown Kamloops, right in the centre of the beautiful Riverside Park. Surrounded by nature and warm glowing string lights, the rink features fire pits, food trucks, bumping music, and a 400-foot long skating loop.
A free alternative to other drop-in skating rinks and activities in town, the rink is a great option for students who want to get outside, enjoy nature, and get active in an entertaining way. Amarah Mahal, a student of Thompson Rivers University herself, says, “It doesn’t matter if you suck at skating like me, or if you’re like a pro like all of the little kids that gap me all of the time, it’s such a good experience.”
The Kamloops Riverside Park skating rink at night, with skaters gliding beneath warm string lights that curve along the pathway, February 12.
Open Sunday to Thursday 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, and after a long day of studying or working, the rink is a perfect way to unwind and have a good time solo or with friends. The rink is situated inside of Riverside Park, just 10 minutes from Thompson Rivers University, and “the fact that you get to be at the park, be in nature, and still do something that’s super fun but not super out of the way is awesome”, Mahal states.
The rink has brought the Kamloops community together, with hundreds of people, young and older, attending every weekend. “You see all kinds of ages there,” says Mahal when asked about how the rink brings the people of Kamloops together. “All different ethnicities, just everybody looking to have a good time, get their skates on, try something new, or do something that they’ve been doing for years. It’s awesome to see.”
Skaters glide past the Thompson River next to a decorative winter light display at the Kamloops Riverside Park skating rink, February 12.
Whether you are from Kamloops and want to try the city’s newest attraction, or a student new to the area who wants a place to go with friends and connect with the community, the Riverside Park Skating Rink is sure to bring out laughs, a few falls, and fun memories for years to come. Still, visitors should be mindful of timing. As Mahal explains, “There can be sometimes a lot of people, it’s just a hit or miss depending on the time you go.”