Glen Ellyn gliding into the holidays with outdoor skating rink downtown

It doesn't have to be freezing outside to lace up your ice skates in Glen Ellyn.

The village will ring in the holidays with the return of an outdoor ice skating rink downtown. Skaters can take to the "ice," even if the weather is unseasonably warm. That's because the rink is installed with a synthetic surface.

The village is once again partnering with the Glen Ellyn Park District to turn the Crescent Boulevard parking lot into a "Polar Plaza," just west of Main Street. The eastern portion of the Crescent lot will be closed beginning Monday for the installation of the pop-up rink. The plaza's official opening will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 25. Residents and visitors can skate for free.

The rink will be open from noon to 9 p.m. daily through mid-February. Rentals are not available on-site, but Paul's Shoe Service, 486 N. Main St., offers used skates for sale and exchange. For details, visit gepark.org/polar-plaza.