You can now go roller skating for free at a Toronto transit station

The roller skating community in Toronto may have taken a major hit with the closure of the city's largest indoor roller rink earlier this fall, but absolute beginners and pros alike are about to get another chance to rock and roll with the return of a groovy (and, most importantly, free) indoor roller rink at the country's largest transit hub.

Back for its second year, the Roller Express at Union Station first arose as an alternative to the station's well-loved outdoor skating rink, offering residents of the city and visitors alike the chance to partake in some good-old-fashioned winter fun in the heart of downtown.

Nowadays, it should come as no surprise that winters in Toronto (and, let's face it, the rest of the world) are becoming increasingly unpredictable in terms of weather, so a more easily controlled, indoor alternative comes as a welcome change for both the event's organizers and those unwilling to brave the elements for a turn around the rink.

Enter Roller Express.

From Nov. 28 to Feb. 2, the 5,500 square-foot rink takes over the TD West Carriageway with lively tunes, a light-up tunnel and special weekly events that allow you to mix and mingle while you roll the day away. Or, if you fall on the less-coordinated side of the spectrum, hobble.

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"Union Winter Presented by TD has been operating for 5 years, and in 2023 we wanted to offer a brand new experience jumping on the renewed popularity of roller skating," Alexa Polenz, a representative for Union tells blogTO.

"We saw incredible reception and attendance last year, so we're excited to bring it back again this year," she adds, acknowledging last year's whopping attendance of around 40,000 skaters rolling through the rink.

This year, the rink will be hosting special skate nights every Friday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., featuring beats from a sizzling lineup of local DJs and 19-plus mixers with adult beverages on tap every Saturday from 6:30 to 11 p.m. 

If you're one of those uncoordinated folks I just mentioned (don't worry, I am too), you can also attend free lessons every Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. to hone your craft.

If you're trying to save a few bucks this holiday season — and who isn't? — you're in luck! The rink is completely free and offers complimentary skate and protective gear rentals; all you have to do is pre-register for a two-hour time slot through Union's website and make sure to bring a physical copy of any government-issued photo ID.

For the roller pros among us, you're also welcome to bring your own gear as long as it's clean. 

The rink is open Sunday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., all-ages on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 19-plus from 6:30 to 11 p.m. It'll also be open from 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, but closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

The rink is just one part of Union's broader winter programming schedule, which includes live music performances held in the station all season long alongside free samples from the likes of Emergen C, Hero Pimple Patches and Batiste Dry Shampoo being handed out.

You can view Union's complete winter programming schedule on their website.