Frost on 5th Santa Monica Opening Celebration

Frost on 5th, the Santa Monica ice rink formerly known as ICE, opens its 2026 season on Thursday, November 5 with a free community celebration. If you are scanning for LA events this weekend or later in the week, this one lands a few days ahead of it and costs nothing to attend.

When: Thursday, November 5, 2026, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Where: Frost on 5th Santa Monica, 1324 Fifth Street, Santa Monica Price: Free Ages: All ages

What to expect

The evening is built around the rink. The listing promises on-ice skating performances, freebies from local businesses and a few holiday surprises. A DJ keeps the music going while on-ice entertainers add some spectacle to the skating experience, so even people who never lace up skates have something to watch from the side.

The listing gives this rough schedule:

• 5:00 PM: doors open
• 5:45 PM: opening remarks and special performances
• After the ceremony: free skate

The free skate runs first come, first served. Space is limited, and the organizers ask guests to reserve a spot through the event's website, so it is worth doing that before you head over rather than hoping for a walk-up place.

Who it suits

Families will get the most from it. The event is open to all ages, and Mommy Poppins files it under kids, tweens and teens activities. Couples and friends looking for a low-cost night out on the Westside will also find plenty to do, from watching performances to browsing the local business giveaways. It is a good example of the things happening in Los Angeles at the start of the holiday season, when pop-up rinks and seasonal events start filling calendars.

Getting there

The rink sits at 1324 Fifth Street in downtown Santa Monica. The Downtown Santa Monica station on Metro's E Line is within walking distance, which saves you from hunting for downtown parking on a busy night. Rideshare drop-off is also easy on Fifth Street. Arrive a little early, since doors open at 5:00 PM and the opening remarks start at 5:45 PM.

Plan ahead

Dates and times for this kind of event can change, so check the source listing before you go. If you are building a plan around upcoming events in Los Angeles, keep in mind that the free skate is limited by capacity and depends on the reservation. Dress warmly, because an outdoor rink at night in November is cooler than it looks from the sidewalk, and bring socks if you plan to rent skates. Browse more arts and culture events across the city, or see what else is on in Santa Monica.