Ice skating to arrive downtown as Winter Wonderland-related programming expands

Note: This story has been updated since originally published.

Ice skating arrives Friday in downtown Sioux Falls.

The city’s Parks & Recreation Department announced late Thursday that the ice ribbon at Jacobson Plaza will open at 4 p.m., just in time for Winter Wonderland’s kick-off Friday night.

The lights will turn on at Falls Park at 5 p.m., followed by two sets of fireworks beginning at 6 p.m. on the north and east sides of the park.

The annual event has grown to 29 miles of lights and holiday decor, including 260 decorated trees, 215 decorated light poles and more than one mile of garland. A team of 15 people from the city starts planning in June and decorating in early October.

“This creates an opportunity for all to explore downtown, get outside, connect with others and support local businesses,” park operations manager Josh Johnson said.

“Opening night is very busy. Please be patient, plan accordingly and expect traffic delays.”

Visitors should consider carpooling or walking to the park, he said.

Falls Overlook Cafe will be serving free ice cream from Stensland Family Farms from 5 to 9 p.m. while it lasts, plus there will be a chili bar and cinnamon rolls for purchase.

Ice ribbon latest

Ice-skating in time for Winter Wonderland was a game-time decision. As of a Wednesday media briefing, park officials weren’t ready to say the refrigerated ribbon would be ready.

“It does require some cooperating from Mother Nature to make ice on the ribbon for the first time,” said Jackie Nelson, recreation manager.

“We are hopeful and optimistic we will be ready to have ice for the start of Winter Wonderland. All this is weather-dependent depending on how the next few hours and days shape up.”

Once the ice is operational, abnormally warm and sunny days could create enough puddles that it occasionally has to close, Johnson said.

“The key is providing a safe skating surface,” he added.

Skaters will need to buy time on the ice for $5, which is a 45-minute session.

Skate rental is $3, or skaters can bring their own. New “skate helpers” shaped like seals are available to use for free.

Ice time can be purchased inside The Lodge Bar & Grill or from a counter window, and online reservations likely will open up sometime in December. There’s no option for membership.

“We’re making history here … as we get ready to open this new experience for Sioux Falls,” Nelson said. “We’re super-excited.”

Lights will illuminate the ribbon, and music will be playing, she added.

Parks & Recreation also has several special events planned at Jacobson Plaza for the holiday season and beyond, including:

• Candy Cane Hunt: From 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5, hunt for paper candy cane letter cutouts scattered throughout Jacobson Plaza, Lloyd Landing and the Falls. Unscramble the letters to reveal the secret holiday phrase, then return your card to the warming house to receive a goodie bag and enter to win a prize. Registration is required here.
• Mini Holiday Market: Lloyd Landing and Jacobson Plaza will feature local vendors and handmade goods from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 6-7.
• Cocoa Strolls: Get a behind-the-scenes look at Winter Wonderland while sipping hot cocoa from The Lodge. Meet at the Jacobson Plaza warming house. The strolls will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 9, 18 and 23. The events are free, but reservations are required.

For details on skating at Jacobson Plaza, visit here.

The Lodge, which is the restaurant and full bar at Jacobson Plaza, also has new food and drink specials, including a build-your-own hot chocolate and coffee bar.

“We’re excited to finally be at the winter season,” general manager Andy Wolf said. “We (also) offer the party room, event space rentals … birthday, corporate parties, holiday parties, we’re getting a lot of traction on those.”

If someone books a party room with 10 people or more, skate time is discounted.

Hours for The Lodge are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The lights at Winter Wonderland are on from 5 p.m. to midnight daily.

The Steel District activities 

This marks the first Winter Wonderland that the adjacent Steel District development has been fully operational, including the Canopy by Hilton hotel, which has some distinctive views of the holiday lights. The hotel is holding a ticketed event Friday on its second-floor terrace, including fire pits, warm cocktails and hot drinks, a full bar menu and snacks for purchase. Tickets can be reserved here. 

Parking is free in The Steel District ramp after 5 p.m.

Access the parking ramp from the west, entering The Steel District from either Fourth or Sixth streets, then turning on Metli Place.

After parking, exit the ramp through the second-floor skywalk, and follow the signs to level one, which will bring you right into the heart of The Steel District and a front-row view of Winter Wonderland. Hot beverages will be for sale at Brioux Falls just off the skywalk and Torrent Coffee Bar in the hotel lobby.

All restaurants at the development will be open and suggest reservations. Steel District retailers Alcove and Pasque Boutique will be open until at least 7 p.m. with special offers.

Propane heaters will be set up in the alley at The Steel District and along the riverfront patio, and the first 150 guests will receive a free blanket, limited to one per family. Big Sioux Burger and Ironwood Steakhouse will have patios open, including high-top tables to watch the lights and order food and beverages, and there will be live music from Lexi McGee from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

The lights will remain on for Winter Wonderland through Jan. 5.