Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa is being transformed into a Winter Village complete with holiday decorations, a cafe and the city's only outdoor ice skating rink.
- Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park now through Dec. 25
- Ice skating, shops, decorations
"I'm have a great time. I came with my grandma," said Danilo Vargas, 10.
It's a family friendly event with skaters of all kinds.
There are first-timers who are a little unsure on their feet.
"I'm a little dangerous. I've done some skiing and snowboarding but not the ice skating," said Shaun Coniglio.
Others said they've been to the rink in the past so they consider themselves old pros.
"This is actually my third time doing this and I learn pretty quickly," said Makayla Hess, 8.
Hess had some kind words for others on the ice.
"I think a lot of people are learning pretty quickly and it's actually very fun for them and I just think they're having a wonderful time," she said.
"Getting people downtown for the holidays is the real way to celebrate a city. Every city and every great downtown has a great holiday experience and now Tampa definitely has that as well," said Ashly Anderson with the Tampa Downtown Partnership.
The Winter Village will be open daily from November 18 through December 25.
Tickets are $12 per person for 90 minutes of skating and that includes the skate rental.