Hartford's 'Winterfest' Opens Friday With Free Skating

HARTFORD, CT — For folks living in the greater Hartford area, there is no doubt what time of year it is.

And while the calendar still says "late fall" and leaves are still an issue, winter unofficially arrives Friday, Nov. 25, with the opening of Winterfest 2023 at Bushnell Park, namely the opening of the park's free ice skating rink.

Located at 60 Elm St., Winterfest and its activities promise to be a local hotspot for wintertime fun, namely ice skating. (But not too hot ... that would be bad in a place where ice is center stage.)

The skating at the park's temporary ice rink is not only free, but the parking there is as well, with the Hartford Parking Authority allowing for free parking on Elm and Jewell streets during Winterfest.

But it gets better as ice skate rentals are also free, according to event organizers and the Winterfest website. Just show up and skate.

For those without automobile transportation, Bushnell Park is also easily accessible via CTtransit and CTfastrak buses, with stops at several locations nearby.

Winterfest is being produced by the iQuilt Partnership, a consortium of Hartford officials, advocates, community liaisons, and nonprofits, to promote what the city has to offer.

For more information on Winterfest 2023, click on this link.

For more information on the iQuilt Partnership, click on this link.