Looking for the best ice rink lights for your backyard this winter? You’ve come to the right place!
Are you tired of being kicked off your backyard ice rink every night just because it gets dark? Do you feel you aren’t getting enough skate time because it gets dark so early? Do you want to get more out of your backyard ice rink investment?
If so, backyard ice rink lights are a great way to enjoy skating after hours in the privacy and comfort of your own backyard. Although you can pay to have a professional set up your backyard ice rink links, we recommend doing it yourself at a fraction of the cost.
With your fully-equipped backyard ice rink, you’ll wonder why it took so long to install lights for skating after hours.
5 Best Backyard Ice Rink Lights
Having outdoor lights for your backyard ice rink is a great way to continue the fun and enjoyment of ice skating into the late hours of the evening.
Below, we will go through several ice rink lighting options to get you skating at night in no time:
1. GLORIOUS-LITE
These Glorious-Lite outdoor lights are a great asset to your backyard ice rink. They come in a pack of two and you have the option of purchasing either 50 watts (5,000 lumens), 100 watts (10,000 lumens), or 150 watts (15,000 lumens).
At approximately 3 pounds each, these lights are light yet durable and easy to mount on a pole or a flat wall surface. Powder-coated with a black finish, they not only look stylish but are protected from the weather and elements, which means they should last for years to come.
Note, however, that these outdoor lights are not equipped with motion sensors. They are also unable to dim and do not have a dusk to dawn function. Be very careful as the plug and the switch are not waterproof when operating in the rain or snow.
Pros
✅ Waterproof
✅ LED Lights to save up to 80% electricity
✅ Options for 50 watts, 100 watts, and 150 watts
✅ Can be indoor or outdoor
✅ Aluminum frame
✅ Powder-coated black finish
Cons
❌ Does not include a motion sensor
❌ No timer function
❌ Does not have a “dusk to dawn” function
❌ Plug and switch are not waterproof
❌ Does not have a dim function
Specs
👉 Lumens: 10,000
👉 Cable Length: 1.5 meters
👉 Dimensions: 11 inches x 3.66 inches x 9 inches
👉 Weight: 3.2 pounds
👉 Voltage: AC 120 Volt (100 Volt -130 Volt), 60 Hertz
👉 Wattage: 100 watts (available in 50 watts as well as 150 watts)
👉 No Batteries Required
👉 Wall Mounting Type
Check prices for GLORIOUS-LITE Outdoor Lights on Amazon here!
2. LEPOWER 50W LED Flood Light Outdoor
The Lepower LED outdoor flood light comes in a pack of one, and you have the option of purchasing in either 50 watts, 100 watts, or 150 watts.
The description states that the light is waterproof; however, it warns you not to submerge in water. This light is actually water-resistant rather than waterproof. Always take caution when operating the lights in rain or snow.
The LEPOWER outdoor lights do not have a dimmable function, nor do they have motion sensors. However, they are very bright and energy-efficient. The heatsink fins on the case also help control the heat on the case surface to prevent overheating.
With a 4.7 out of 5-star ratings with over 3,000 reviews on Amazon, the LePower LED outdoor lights seem to perform quite well.
Pros
✅ Waterproof
✅ 120° Beam Angle
✅ LED Lights -Improved Efficiency over Halogen
✅ 3,500 – 4,000 lumens bright white light (50 Watts)
✅ Shadow free and anti-glare
✅ Can be indoor or outdoor
✅ Aluminum housing
✅ Heatsink fins to dissipate heat
Cons
❌ Does not have a dim function
❌ No timer function
❌ Does not have a “dusk to dawn” function
❌ Plug and switch are not waterproof
❌ Does not include a motion sensor
Specs
👉 Lumens: 3,500 – 4,000
👉 Cable Length: 59 inches
👉 Dimensions: 2.6 inches x 9.3 inches x 11.6 inches
👉 Weight: 3.04 pounds
👉 Voltage: 120 watts
👉 Waterproof Rating: IP66
👉 Color Temperature: 6500 Kelvin
Check prices for LEPOWER 50W LED Flood Light Outdoor on Amazon here!
3. Olafus 2 Pack 100W LED Flood Light Outdoor
The Olafus 2 pack outdoor LED lights are a great addition to your backyard ice rink. These lights offer a generous 100 watts (11,000 lumens) of bright, clear LED lighting, adequately lighting up approximately 1,100 square feet of your ice rink.
It has a metal bracket attached to the heat dissipation aluminum case. This bracket will allow you to attach it to any firm surface and adjust the light a full 180 degrees.
Although the lights do not come with a dimmable function, motion sensors, or dusk to dawn function, it is possible to add these features with a third-party adapter.
Pros
✅ Waterproof
✅ 180° Beam Angle
✅ LED Lights -Improved Efficiency over Halogen
✅ 11,000 Lumens
✅ Heat dissipation aluminum case
✅ Tempered glass
Cons
❌ Does not include a dim function
❌ No timer function
❌ Does not have a “dusk to dawn” function
❌ Plug and switch are not waterproof
❌ Does not include a motion sensor
Specs
👉 Lumens: 11,000
👉 Waterproof Rating: IP66
👉 Color Temperature: 5,000 Kelvin
👉 Weight: 8.47 pounds
Check Prices for Olafus 2 Pack 100W LED Flood Light Outdoor on Amazon here!
4. STASUN LED Flood Light
The STASUN LED Outdoor Flood Light is an excellent choice for any backyard ice rink and comes in multiple color options to choose from.
The daylight white lights offer a cooler color temperature and improved visibility for those looking for the brightest light possible. On the other hand, the warm white lights illuminate your space with a softer “yellowish” glow.
Both of these color options will work great for your backyard ice rink but provide a very different feel and atmosphere while skating late into the evening.
Pros
✅ Waterproof
✅ Adjustable pivot to 160 degrees side to side
✅ LED Lights – Improved Efficiency over Halogen
✅ Mounting bracket can pivot 180 degrees up and down
✅ Heat dissipation aluminum case
✅ Shock-resistant glass
Cons
❌ Does not include a dim function
❌ No timer function
❌ Does not have a “dusk to dawn” function
❌ Plug and switch are not waterproof
❌ Does not include a motion sensor
Specs
👉 Lumens: 13,500 (150 watts)
👉 Waterproof Rating: IP65
👉 Color Temperature: 5,000 Kelvin
👉 Weight: 8.88 pounds
Check prices for STASUN LED Flood Light on Amazon here!
5. WERISE 200W LED Flood Light Outdoor
The WERISE 200 Watts LED Outdoor Lights are one of our favorite lighting options for your backyard ice rink. We love the versatility of the lighting options, as well as the ability to angle each light bar to virtually any direction you want.
With a lighting angle of 120 degrees and the option of rotating the individual light bars up to 360 degrees, you will never have to worry about dark patches of ice.
Like the STASON lights, you can purchase the WERISE lights in several different lighting configurations to suit your needs.
Pros
✅ Waterproof
✅ Adjustable pivot to 360 degrees
✅ LED Lights – Improved Efficiency over Halogen
✅ Advanced heat dissipation aluminum case
Cons
❌ Does not include a dim function
❌ No timer function
❌ Does not have a “dusk to dawn” function
❌ Plug and switch are not waterproof
❌ Does not include a motion sensor
Specs
👉 Lumens: 18,000 (200 watts)
👉 Waterproof Rating: IP66
👉 Color Temperature: 6,000 Kelvin
👉 Weight: 8.8 pounds
👉 Volts: 110
👉 Cord length: 5 feet
👉 Aluminum housing
Check prices for WERISE 200W LED Flood Light Outdoor on Amazon here!
Extension Cords For Your Backyard Ice Rink Lights
Depending on the size of your ice rink and the location of your electrical outlets, getting power to your rink lights for a night filled with skating may require an extension cord or two.
If you find the need for an extra-long cord, it may be tempting to opt for a lighter duty extension cord to save money. However, it is essential to remember that the longer the cable, the more voltage will be lost as it travels from the outlet to your lights.
To help you understand the different gauges available and which would be best for your backyard ice rink, below is a list of typical use cases for each extension cord type.
16 Gauge Extension Cord
⚡️ Intended for light-duty power. The type of tools or appliances ideal for the 16 gauge extension cord would be lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, household tools, and fans.
14 Gauge Extension Cord
⚡️ Intended for medium-duty power. The tools or appliances ideal for the 14 gauge extension cord are power drills, belt sanders, routers, or table saws.
12 Gauge Extension Cord
⚡️ Intended for heavy-duty power. The 12 gauge extension cord is extremely helpful when using lots of energy or operating for extended periods.
The items best suited for this cord are circular saws, chain saws, grinders, or worm drives.
10 Gauge Extension Cord
⚡️ Intended for extra heavy-duty power. Typically used for things like a generator, air compressor reciprocal saw, or rotary hammers.
The gauge most appropriate for your scenario will be based upon the length of cord you need as well as how much power your specific light requires. For most cases, we recommend using at least a 12 gauge extension cord.
Below are our top picks for 12 gauge extension cords.
Clear Power 100 ft Heavy Duty Outdoor Extension Cord
The Clear Power 100 ft Heavy Duty Outdoor Extension Cord is a great option for just about anything you need around your house, including your backyard ice rink lights.
The Clean Power 100 foot 12/3 gauge extension cord is well equipped to handle the voltage and wattage of powering your LED outdoor lights, even for extended periods.
It is water, weather, and abrasion-resistant as well as flame-retardant. Weighing roughly 13 pounds, this heavy-duty cord will have no problem powering any of the lights we reviewed above.
Southwire 2589 100-ft Heavy Duty Outdoor Extension Cord
The Southwire 2589 12/3 Gauge Extension Cord is another great option at an affordable price.
This all-purpose extension cord is weather, water, abrasion, and sun resistant and can handle even the harshest weather conditions.
One of the features we love about this extension cord is that the female end illuminates when plugged into an outlet, letting you know there is hot power to the cable.
How Many Lumens Do You Need To Light A Backyard Ice Rink?
Lumens are a measurement of the brightness of lights. When determining how many lumens you need to light up your ice rink, it will depend on the size of your rink as well as the placement of your lights.
We recommend aiming for between 1,000 lumens to 1,500 lumens per square foot as a starting point. For example, if you have a backyard ice rink that’s 1000 square feet, choose a set of lights with a brightness of 10,000 lumens to 15,000 lumens.
More Backyard Ice Rink Lighting Ideas
The greatest thing about having your own backyard ice rink is that you can design it any way you like. You have complete control over creating the perfect atmosphere that makes you want to skate all night long.
Below are some more ideas on how you can use unique lighting setups to turn an ordinary sheet of ice into your very own backyard winter wonderland.
Under Ice LED Lights
One cool way to spice up your lighting setup is to install colored LED light strips under the ice. With just a couple of light strips, you can create any design you like and even simulate a professional hockey rink with all of the lines and face-off circles.
Creating your own colorful designs not only looks epic, but it is also a great way to set your rink apart from anyone else’s in the neighborhood.
Outdoor String Lights
Another great way to customize your light setup is to install string lighting around your rink.
String lights offer a softer glow than the brighter flood lights reviewed above and provide a very different feel and atmosphere. Although they are not as bright, they can provide adequate lighting when placed throughout your ice rink.
To see examples and tips on installing string lighting, check out the video below.
Conclusion: Backyard Ice Rink Lights
Installing lights for your backyard ice rink is the best way to get the most out of your setup. With the sun going down earlier and earlier, your ice rink lights will make sure you never miss an opportunity to skate with family and friends.
I hope this article helped you decide which lights are best for your ice rink and inspired you to create your unique setup that will lead to great memories for years to come.
Happy skating!