It's official: Ice skating rink returning to Marietta this year

Plan to lace up starting Nov. 18. And no matter if you're old, young, teacher or student, the price is $12.

But get there quick, because an estimated 15,000 people came to the first last year and paid about $180,000.

Here are the hours, starting Nov. 18, when school is in session:  

» Monday to Thursday: 4:30 to 9 p.m.

» Friday: 4:30 to 11 p.m.

» Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

» Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m.

» Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

» Friday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to  11 p.m.

» Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m.

» Thanksgiving Day: 2 to 10 p.m.

» Christmas Eve: 10 am. to 6 p.m.

» Christmas Day: 2 to 9 p.m.

» New Year's Eve: 10 a.m. to "LATE"

» New Year's Day: 2 to 9 p.m.

As for the rest of the activities, the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held Dec. 1 along with the arrival of Santa Claus. Local school chorus performances kick off the day at 4:30 p.m. before Santa enters the scene on a City of Marietta firetruck at 5:20 p.m. followed by the Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m.

Oh, and the kiddies can meet Santa until 8 p.m. Eventually, families will be able to reserve a time with Santa online. Pro tip: Santa will be available Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. for photos with your pets.

» Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

» Sundays: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

» Dec. 21 to Dec. 23: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

» Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It all culminates with the New Year's Eve extravaganza.

"Attendees can write resolutions on the Resolution Wall, play putt-putt golf, browse food trucks, and even test their skill in an escape room experience," the city said.

And if none of that does it for you, maybe ice-carving contests and roaming magicians will.

After the sun goes down, the adults come out. Live music and a "surprise drop" are in order. Last year, the city switched out the ball drop for the controversial "human drop" of a dancer instead.

This year, the city has only called it an "object drop," which is what it called the display last year.