The outdoor ice rink at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks is returning after a multiyear absence. The 2026-2027 season runs from Friday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Jan. 10.
Public reservations open Thursday, Oct. 15, Conejo Valley Guide reported. Caruso Signature members can reserve spots before the general public through Wednesday, Oct. 14. The membership program is free to join.
As of Monday, Oct. 12, the rink had not yet appeared on The Lakes' website at shoplakes.com.
The rink first opened in 2005 atop one of the ponds that give the Thousand Oaks Boulevard shopping center its name. It was part of developer Rick Caruso's original 2004 agreement with the city to build the 7.5-acre property next to the Civic Arts Plaza.
The rink went dark during the pandemic and was then canceled outright after Caruso struck a new deal with the city to acquire land and build apartments behind the shopping center, The Acorn reported in November 2022. Under that agreement, Caruso was no longer obligated to host the annual rink.
Andy Logan, a Thousand Oaks resident whose family skated at The Lakes three or four times each winter, told The Acorn in November 2022, when the rink was canceled: "It's sad... It brought people together."
Then-Mayor Bob Engler told The Acorn in November 2022 that the deal had been renegotiated and "the skating rink was losing money every year."
Caruso's portfolio page for The Lakes describes the attraction as Ventura County's only outdoor ice skating rink. That claim has not been independently verified.
Pricing, session lengths, rink hours and skate rental details for the upcoming season have not been announced. Residents can check shoplakes.com for updates as the Nov. 6 opening approaches.
Upcoming in the Conejo Valley
- Thursday, Oct. 15: Conejo Recreation and Park District board votes on 12 pickleball courts at Conejo Creek.
- Thursday, Oct. 15: Public reservations open for the Holiday Ice Rink at The Lakes.
- Friday, Nov. 6: Holiday Ice Rink opens for the 2026-2027 season.
