By Matt Mueller Culture Editor Published Jan 18, 2024 at 3:16 PM

This recent brutal cold stretch is finally on its way out, which means we actually get to enjoy the snow and winter fun. That now includes one of the biggest tiny attractions of the season, as the Milwaukee Public Market announced the return of The Dinky Rink starting this weekend.

Returning for its third winter beginning Friday, Jan. 19, The Dinky Rink is a micro-rink less than 1,000 square feet big found on the north side of the Third Ward dining and shopping staple.

Available for free 90-minute sessions, the small slick attraction holds a maximum of eight people at a time for skating fun – or maybe some curling action for those who prefer bricks and brooms over blades. A reservation on the ice rink also offers covered seating and heaters as well as complimentary Admirals merch while supplies last – plus easy access to all the wonderful vendors inside the market with food and drink to purchase and help refuel for more small-scale skating shenanigans.

 
 
 
 
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The ceremonial "first skate" will hit the itty-bitty ice attraction on Friday, Jan. 19 at 9 a.m. with special guest – who else? – #MilHockey ice icon Roscoe, the Milwaukee Admirals mascot. From there, The Dinky Rink will be open every day during general Milwaukee Public Market hours – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays – for "as long as Mother Nature allows," according to a press release. So, judging by the standard Wisconsin winter, probably somewhere around Easter. 

To reserve your 90-minute session on the fun-sized frozen pond, book a reservation at the Milwaukee Public Market's website – and be sure to bring your own skates! For more info on The Dinky Rink's rules and regulations, click here

And for even more fun winter ideas, check out OnMilwaukee's 100 things to do during a Milwaukee winter!

Matt Mueller Culture Editor

As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.

When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.