Courtesy: Palm Beach Influence
Palm trees, ocean breeze and… ice skates? Winter in South Florida just got a whole lot cooler. The Ben Hotel, Autograph Collection, is turning downtown West Palm Beach into a festive frost zone once again as its Winter Wonderland returns November 1 for a second, expanded season.
Following a debut that drew more than 30,000 skaters, the waterfront hotel is bringing back the magic with a bigger, brighter experience that blends holiday cheer with coastal charm. This year’s 50-by-66-foot real ice rink – South Florida’s only outdoor rink – sits alongside a new Holiday Tree Forest featuring decorated trees by local nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity Greater Palm Beach County and Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County.
“This year’s Winter Wonderland at The Ben is our most magical yet,” Bernardo Neto, General Manager of The Ben Hotel, tells Browardist. “It’s a celebration that brings the joy of the holidays to the waterfront in a way that has not been done before in West Palm Beach. From South Florida’s only outdoor ice-skating rink to our philanthropic Holiday Tree Forest, every detail was designed to create connection, wonder and community spirit. It’s become more than an event, it’s a holiday tradition we’re proud to share with our guests, our partners and our city.”
Expect themed weekends like Live Music Saturdays, Santa Sundays and Ugly Sweater Day, along with Aspen-style chalets, s’mores, cocoa and cocktails. The opening day will feature a ribbon-cutting with Mayor Keith James and a curling match from Loggerhead Curling Club.
Admission to Winter Wonderland is free for non-skaters, while ice skating passes — including skate rentals — range from $10 for kids (ages 4–11) to $25 for adults. The rink glides daily through January 4, 2026, making it a perfect Worth Traveling For day trip or, perhaps, an extended staycation.
For tickets and additional info, check out thebenwestpalm.com.
