Glide into winter magic at Zalakaros Ice Rink on Karos Promenade—family-friendly skating, concerts, rentals, and late-night New Year’s fun through Jan 31, 2026. Join kids’ hockey sign-ups now!
when: 2026.01.05., Monday - 2026.01.11., Sunday
where: 8749 Zalakaros, Szőlő utca 16.
Zalakaros keeps the blades humming through January 31, 2026, as lights flicker on, the ice sparkles, and the Karos Promenade (Karos Korzó) turns into a swirl of glide-and-giggle winter vibes. Whether you’re a pro or still flirting with your first wobble, you’ll end up taking a lap. Hot drinks are coming, the lights are warming up, and yes—we can’t wait to see you.
Big Rink, Bigger Mood
Open November 30, 2025 to January 31, 2026, the giant rink covers roughly 8,611 square feet, with a 115×75-foot surface for skating. The Karos Promenade (Karos Korzó) adds Advent flair, family programs, and large-scale concerts.
Hours
Mon–Thu 14:00–20:00; Fri 14:00–21:00; Sat 10:00–21:00; Sun 10:00–20:00. Winter break: daily 10:00–21:00. Dec 31: until 02:00; Jan 01: 13:00–21:00.
Tickets and Rentals
No time limit on day passes. Child (to age 6) $4.16; Student/Senior $5.55; Adult $6.94. Skate rental (sizes 25–47) $5.55 per pair for 2–3 hours. Penguin walker $4.16/hour (+$2.77 deposit).
Maintenance & Safety
Rink closed during 20-minute maintenance sessions, 2–3 times daily depending on use. Day passes allow unlimited skating that day. Use at your own risk.
Hire the Rink
Events, birthdays, name days, sports meets, company parties: $138.88/hour.
Kids’ Hockey
Sign-ups for ages 4–14 in Zalakaros: Jan 5–11 and Jan 12–18, 2026. More dates coming soon. Total results: 25.
2025, adrienne
Pros
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Family-friendly vibes with penguin walkers for kids and wide skate sizes, plus Advent programs and concerts
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Affordable pricing by U.S. standards, with cheap day passes and reasonable skate rentals
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No time limit on day passes means you can take breaks for hot drinks or concerts without rushing
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Late hours (including New Year’s Eve until 2 a.m.) make it easy to fit into a travel day
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Easy add-on to a Zalakaros spa trip—perfect winter combo of thermal baths and skating
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Straightforward for non-speakers: prices, rentals, and hours are simple; you can manage without Hungarian
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Car access is simple in a small town, and regional buses reach Zalakaros from larger hubs like Budapest or Balaton towns
- Zalakaros isn’t well-known internationally, so fewer English-language guides and less name recognition than Vienna or Prague rinks
Cons
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Public transport can be slower/more transfers compared to big-city rinks; renting a car may be easier
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The event is charming but smaller in spectacle than iconic rinks (e.g., Rockefeller Center or Vienna Rathausplatz)
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Maintenance breaks close the ice 2–3 times daily, which can interrupt short visits
