South Florida doesn’t do winter. At least, not the frosty, scarf-necessary, hot-cocoa-as-survival-fuel kind. Which is why the return of real-ice skating to downtown West Palm Beach feels like a minor miracle powered by equal parts holiday spirit and serious refrigeration tech.
Winter Wonderland is back at The Ben Hotel starting November 1, transforming the waterfront lawn into a glittering holiday playground with twinkling trees, Aspen-style chalets and, of course, a 50-by-66-foot rink made of the real stuff. Yes, ice. In Palm Beach. Again.
Last year’s debut drew more than 30,000 skaters, proving locals are more than ready to trade sand for snowflakes, at least in theory.
“This year’s event will feature more ice with an expanded rink, more community with the debut of a Holiday Tree Forest and more access with a new admission structure,” said Bernardo Neto, general manager of The Ben, in an official statement. “Only guests who choose to ice skate will need to purchase tickets, while everyone else is welcome to explore the Winter Wonderland for free.”
The rink’s secret sauce is Ice America’s aluminum-coil refrigeration system, which works overtime to keep things frozen even when the forecast is more sunscreen than snow boots. The upgraded footprint means more room for spins, tumbles and holding hands like you’re in an early-2000s rom-com.
Around the rink, expect plenty of festive distractions: chalet vendors slinging gifts and sweets; a holiday bar for hot chocolate, s’mores, grown-up toddies and the debut of a Holiday Tree Forest created in partnership with local nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. There will also be themed events like Live Music Saturdays and Santa Sundays, ornament-making workshops and an opening-day curling exhibition (yes, Palm Beach now has curling athletes and, no, the tropics do not care about your winter stereotypes).
Mayor Keith James is already calling the event a seasonal staple. “The Ben’s Winter Wonderland has become an anchor for the holiday season in our city,” he said. “This event exemplifies the spirit of West Palm Beach.”
Skating runs daily from November 1 through January 4 from 10am to 9pm. Entry is free unless you’re lacing up, in which case tickets start at $25 for adults and $10 for kids 11 and under.