Everything worth knowing before booking a mobile roller skating event.
About our events
What is Monterey Skates?
We’re a mobile roller skating experience serving the Monterey Peninsula. We bring the complete rink — skates, sound, lighting, and a DJ — to your school, business, community center, or private venue.
Are you a permanent rink?
Not currently. We ran a pop-up rink at the Monterey County Fairgrounds from May 2025 through March 2026 and continue to search for a permanent home on the Peninsula. In the meantime, the mobile setup lets us keep serving the community.
What kinds of events do you do?
School events (dances, field trips, PE, fundraisers), corporate events (offsites, holiday parties, team building), private parties (birthdays, quinceañeras, family celebrations), community events (HOAs, churches, non-profits), and sports and recreation partnerships. If you have a large enough indoor space, we can probably do your event.
How long have you been operating?
We opened in May 2025 and have served over 4,000 skaters. Earlier in 2026 we were named runner-up for “Family Fun Indoor Activity” in Monterey Bay Parent’s inaugural Family Favorites Awards.
Booking & pricing
How much does an event cost?
Every event is custom-quoted based on venue location, event length, expected attendance, and any add-ons (extra hours, additional skates, beginner lessons, custom playlists). The fastest way to get a real number is to tell us the details — we usually reply within one business day.
How far in advance should I book?
Popular Saturday dates in spring and fall: 6 to 8 weeks ahead
Summer and holiday events: 4 to 6 weeks ahead
Weekday events: often available with 2 to 3 weeks notice
Last-minute: ask us — we sometimes have availability
What’s included in the base price?
Every event includes: complete rink setup and tear-down, 380 pairs of precision quad skates from size J7 to adult 16, a club-quality sound system, DMX-controlled lighting, a DJ, a rental attendant, a floor guard, all accessories (helmets, microphones, safety gear), and insurance coverage.
What costs extra?
The most common add-ons: additional hours beyond your base package, additional skate rentals for very large events, beginner lesson segments, a custom playlist prepared in advance, upgraded lighting looks, and travel fees for venues outside our core service area.
Do you require a deposit?
Yes. A deposit secures your date — the specific amount depends on event size and is spelled out in your quote. The balance is due before or on the day of the event.
What payment methods do you accept?
Credit cards, ACH bank transfers, checks (from established institutions), and Venmo or Zelle for smaller deposits. Details in your booking agreement.
Venue requirements
How much space do we need?
Small event (up to 20 skaters): 2,500–3,000 square feet minimum
Medium event (20–40 skaters): 3,000–5,000 square feet
Large event (60–100 skaters): 7,000–10,000 square feet
Rule of thumb: roughly 100 square feet per active skater, plus room for seating and setup.
Not sure? Send us a photo of your floor and we’ll tell you. See the full venue requirements for details.
What about ceiling height?
10 feet minimum, 12+ feet recommended. Most gyms, warehouses, and event halls easily meet this.
Can we do the event outdoors?
Only in specific circumstances. We need a smooth surface (like a well-poured concrete patio), reliable weather, and access to electrical. Indoor events are almost always the better choice.
Do you need special power hookups?
Standard 110V outlets are fine. We need 2 to 4 outlets on separate circuits within about 50 feet of our setup.
Where does the step van park?
Parking within 100 feet of the event space for load-in and load-out. A dedicated parking spot for the duration of the event is required.
Skating & safety
How many pairs of skates do you have?
380 pairs of precision quad skates, from size J7 all the way up to adult 16. That’s enough to keep a very full room on wheels at the same time. Inline skates aren’t in the fleet yet, but we’re working on adding them.
What if my guests have never skated before?
Perfect — that’s a huge part of what we do. Our floor guard specifically helps beginners get comfortable. Most events have a mix of experienced and first-time skaters. If you’d like a formal lesson segment for guests who want it, we can build that into your event.
Are helmets required?
For kids’ events, we strongly recommend helmets and provide them at no extra charge. For adult events, helmets are optional — we always have them on hand for anyone who wants one.
What about injuries?
Skating carries some risk, so all guests sign a liability waiver before skating. We carry comprehensive insurance for mobile events, and our floor guard provides basic first aid and coaches beginners on how to fall safely.
Do you clean the skates?
Yes. Skates are sanitized between events and inspected before each party. We use commercial-grade skate spray to disinfect the interiors.
What should skaters wear?
Comfortable clothes they can move in. Long pants provide scrape protection if someone falls. Skip anything too loose that could catch on skates. Socks are required — bring your own, or we have some available.
Music & DJ
Can we choose the music?
Yes. We take song requests during the event and can incorporate your custom playlist if you send it in advance. For themed parties (80s night, Latin night, kids’ pop, throwbacks) we tailor the setlist.
What about explicit content?
For kids’ events and school events, we play only clean and radio-edit versions. For adult events, we take our lead from you.
Can we use our own DJ?
If you’d like to bring your own DJ, we can provide a “gear only” package (skates plus sound system plus lights, no DJ). Ask us for details.
Do you take requests during the event?
Yes. Kids love shouting song requests. Adults love hearing “this one’s for the birthday girl who asked for it.”
Insurance & liability
Are you insured?
Yes. We carry comprehensive commercial general liability insurance specifically for mobile events. Coverage limits meet or exceed industry standards.
Do you provide certificates of insurance?
Yes. We can add your venue (school district, corporate office, community center) as an “additional insured” on a Certificate of Insurance. Just let us know at booking.
Do participants sign waivers?
Yes. All skaters (or parents and guardians for minors) sign a liability waiver before skating. For scheduled events, we can pre-distribute waivers digitally so guests arrive ready to skate.
What if someone gets hurt?
We provide basic first aid and coach guests on how to prevent injuries. In case of serious injury, we call emergency services and cooperate fully with medical personnel. Our insurance handles legitimate injury claims.
Cancellations & changes
What’s your cancellation policy?
The short version: more than 30 days out, any paid balance is refunded and your deposit becomes a 12-month reschedule credit. 15 to 29 days out, half the balance is refunded and the rest becomes credit. Less than 15 days out, no cash refund, but the full amount becomes credit. Full details on the Cancellation Policy page.
What if I need to reschedule?
We accommodate rescheduling when we can — subject to availability on the new date. Rescheduling more than 30 days out to a date within 12 months is free. Get in touch as soon as you know.
What if the weather is bad?
For indoor events (99% of what we do), weather isn’t an issue. For any outdoor components, we work with you to establish a rain plan in advance.
What if you have to cancel?
Extremely rare. In the unlikely event we can’t fulfill your booking (illness, equipment failure, emergency), we provide a full refund and help you identify an alternative if possible.
Our story
Why did the Fairgrounds pop-up close?
The Monterey County Fairgrounds restructured their pricing model in early 2026 in a way that made continued operation impractical. We were on track to fully recover our startup costs and were very sorry to close. The mobile business is how we keep serving the Peninsula while we search for a permanent home.
Are you opening a permanent rink?
Yes. We’re actively evaluating permanent venues on the Peninsula. Read the About page for the full history and where we’re headed.
How can I support Monterey Skates?
Book an event, refer us to your school or organization, follow us on social media, sign up for the newsletter, and — if you know of a large indoor space (10,000+ square feet) that could work for a permanent rink — tell us.
Still have questions?
If your question isn’t answered here, reach out. The fastest path is a call to (831) 855-2758.
