STEUBENVILLE — The Rink at Franciscan Square will open for public ice skating at 4 p.m. Friday, officials with the Franciscan University of Steubenville have announced.

Tri-State Area residents will be able to skate under twinkling lights in a festive winter wonderland, toast marshmallows over an open fire or cozy up with a cup of hot cocoa, the officials added.

Open skating hours are 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays; and noon 7 p.m. There are also special hours for holidays; all hours are subject to change.

Regular admission is $8 for those 18 and older, and $7 for those 17 and younger. Children ages 3 and under are free. Skates in all sizes are available to rent for $5.

New offerings this year include season passes to the rink, free hockey clinics for children sponsored by the Josh Merriman Foundation and expanded pond hockey sessions for adults and teenagers. The free clinics are designed for children who want to learn to skate and the basics of pond hockey. The clinics consist of three sessions, which will be held Saturday, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6. Call (740) 275-8466 to register for the clinics.

Expanded pond hockey sessions will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays for adults and on Sunday nights for teenagers. Follow the Franciscan Square Facebook page for a full schedule, more details, and cancellations.

Party packages and private rink rentals are available, and the rink features the Igloo. Sponsored by The Steubenville Nutcracker Village, it provides a place for friends and family who are not skating to watch the skaters while being protected from the elements.

Patrons can enjoy Franciscan Square eateries — including Rubi’s Pizza and Grill, Jimmy John’s and McCarthy’s Harp and Habit — during their normal business hours.

Installed as a permanent outdoor ice-skating rink in 2023, the Rink at Franciscan Square is a community outreach of Franciscan University of Steubenville. The rink is presented by Trinity Health System and many other local sponsors whose generosity helps bring this valuable outdoor recreation to the community. It is open seasonally from November through February, weather depending.

For details on ice skating, visit the rink’s website or call the skate lodge at (740) 275-8466.