SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Rink at Union Square: 2024 Opening Weekend

One of San Francisco’s favorite holiday traditions returns for the 2024-25 holiday season. Since 2008, The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square has delighted children and adults with its holiday-themed ice park located in Union Square.

First (100) guests skate for free during the 5:30pm and 7pm sessions for opening night – November 6, 2024!

Enjoy ice skating in San Francisco’s iconic plaza surrounded by festive lights and the sights and sounds of the season. From November 6, 2024, through January 20, 2025, locals and visitors alike can enjoy this cherished holiday tradition as it returns for its 17th season. The grand Opening Celebration on November 6 at 5 p.m., will provide a magical start to the city’s most anticipated winter attraction.

Surrounded by festive lights and the vibrant atmosphere of San Francisco’s shopping district, the rink offers a unique outdoor skating experience for all — from families and friends to couples and colleagues. For over a decade and a half, this holiday-themed ice park has captivated guests of all ages, providing a quintessential San Francisco winter experience in the city’s iconic plaza. Tickets are on sale now at www.unionsquareicerink.com.

The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink In Union Square
November 6, 2024–January 20, 2025
333 Post Street, San Francisco, Union Square

Tickets and Hours
The rink will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a special early closure at 9:30 p.m. on December 31, 2024. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children 8 and under, including skate rental. All tickets must be purchased in advance. A portion of ticket proceeds benefits the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.

Novices and naturals alike will love the outdoor ice skating experience in the middle of beautiful San Francisco. The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink’s roster of events includes the highly anticipated Drag Queens On Ice, Flashback Fridays, and Polar Bear Skate.

SKATING SESSIONS AND HOURS (2024-25)

The ice rink will be open to the public daily from November 6, 2024, through January 20, 2025.

1-hour skating sessions start at 10 am, every 90 minutes until 11 pm daily.

ADMISSION/TICKETS

Tickets for The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink are $20 for adults and $15 for children 8 and under, with skate rental included in the cost of admission. All tickets must be purchased in advance by visiting unionsquareicerink.com. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.

• General Admission including skate rental: $20 
• Children 8 and under including skate rental: $15
• Locker Rental: $5
• Skate Helper: $6
• Gloves: $5
• Socks: $5

Figure and hockey skate sizes range from toddler’s size 8 to adult’s size 15.

There are also free skate lessons (including free skate rental) on most Saturday and Sunday mornings from 8-9am (limited to 50 people per day)

Special Events: 2024-25

The 2024-25 season of outdoor skating and special on-ice events kicks off with an Opening Celebration on Wednesday, November 6 at 5 p.m. The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink’s roster of events includes the return of the highly anticipated Drag Queens On Ice, Learn to Skate presented by Kaiser Permanente, Flashback Fridays, Silent Skate, and Polar Bear Skate. New for the 24-25 season, Classical Sundays by KDFC and Black Friday with Wild 94.9.

OPENING CELEBRATION
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 | 5–7 p.m.
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente will open with a festive evening ceremony to kick off the holiday ice skating season. Guests are invited to skate before and after the celebration, which will include on-ice performances and an appearance from cast members of A Whynot Christmas Carol at American Conservatory Theater. Additional special guests will include local dignitaries and celebrities, who will be invited to take to the ice alongside guests of all ages for the first official skate of the season. First (100) guests skate for free during the 5:30pm and 7pm sessions.

LEARN TO SKATE PRESENTED BY KAISER PERMANENTE
Saturdays & Sundays | 8–9 a.m.
Kaiser Permanente invites skaters with little to no experience to The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente to learn from professional skate instructors every weekend. Lessons are free (including skate rental) to those who sign up in advance. Space is limited to 50 participants per day. Reservations will be allotted through a lottery system. Guests can enter the November lottery on the website from October 1 – 25, 2024 and December & January lottery from November 1 – 22, 2024. Enter the Lottery

FLASHBACK FRIDAYS PRESENTED BY CLASSIC HITS 103.7
November 15, December 20 & January 17 | 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. sessions
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente invites skaters to ride the retro wave by throwing it back to the musical hits of the ‘80s at “Flashback Fridays.” On the second Friday of each month, the rink will host Classic Hits 103.7 personalities who will crank up the ‘80s vibes, dropping iconic tracks from Duran Duran, Pat Benatar, Madonna, Lionel Richie, and more! Dust off the legwarmers and rock the unitard at the rad rendezvous at the rink!

DRAG ON ICE
Thursday, December 5, 2024 | 6:30–8:00 p.m. $30pp
The ice rink never sparkles more than when the City’s most radiant event, “Drag on Ice,” returns in full splendor to The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente. It’s an evening of glitz, glam, and unmatched on-ice exuberance. Attendees can lace up their skates and twirl alongside the Queens and Kings or grab a prime spot rinkside to watch the fiercest drag personalities in the San Francisco Bay Area deliver holiday performances that’ll sleigh your heart away.

SILENT SKATE
Thursday, December 12, 2024 | 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. sessions. $30pp
The popular Silent Skate party returns to The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente for one night only! It’s a silent disco on ice that transports skaters to an on-ice dance party like no other! Lace up your skates, don a cool pair of headphones, and skate the night away with WiLD 94.9’s DJ Patrix, Star 101.3’s Magic Matt, and Bay Area’s DJ Von onsite, spinning your favorite tunes.

POLAR BEAR SKATE
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 | 2:30–3:30 p.m. $25pp
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente welcomes skaters of all ages to start the New Year off in your swimsuit…on the ice…in the middle of Union Square! As a nod to the popular Canadian tradition, this version of “taking the plunge” skaters are invited to wear their wildest and most inventive beach attire, in hopes of walking away with cool prizes, awarded on theme, originality, and overall appearance.

New additions to this year’s lineup include:

CLASSICAL SUNDAYS PRESENTED BY KDFC
Sundays | 10am and 11:30am sessions
Join us every Sunday for our Classical Sunday Skate Sessions! Glide gracefully on the rink as you immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of classical music, brought to you by KDFC. Enjoy the beauty of skating to timeless melodies in a serene setting that elevates your experience.

BLACK FRIDAY WITH WiLD 94.9
Friday, November 29, 2024 | 7pm & 8:30pm sessions
Whether you are burning off Thanksgiving Dinner or unwinding after Black Friday shopping, join WiLD 949’s Jeanine da Feen as we play the biggest hits of today. Enjoy this Winter Wonderland Dance Party inside The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente.