SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Session at Union Square (New Year’s Eve)
Union Square Park | Geary and Powell, San Francisco, CA
Event Details
SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Rink at Union Square (2025-26)
One of San Francisco’s favorite holiday traditions returns for the 2025-26 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.
Gather your family and friends for a beloved holiday tradition! The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente is back for another magical season of outdoor skating and holiday festivities in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Ice skate outdoors daily November 5, 2025 through January 19, 2026.
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 5, 2025–January 19, 2026
333 Post Street, San Francisco, Union SquareTickets and Hours
Hour-long sessions start every 90 minutes. General admission is $22 or $17 for kids 8 and under; prices include skate rental. Don’t miss our special events throughout the season, including Drag On Ice, Silent Skate, Polar Bear Skate and more! Be sure to follow us on social media at @UnionSquareRink.
ADMISSION/TICKETS
Tickets for The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink are $22 for adults and $17 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: $22
- Children 8 and under including skate rental: $17
- Locker Rental: $5
Figure and hockey skate sizes range from toddler’s size 8 to adult’s size 15.
LEARN TO SKATE
Kaiser Permanente invites skaters with little to no experience to The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente to come learn from professional skate instructors.
The Learn To Skate program will be implemented as a random lottery system to give everyone a chance for one free ice skating lesson.
The November Learn to Skate lottery entry is open Wednesday, October 1, 2025 until Saturday, October 25 at 11:59 PM .
Special Events: 2025-26
The 2025-26 season of outdoor skating and special on-ice events kicks off with an Opening Celebration on Wednesday, November 5 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, Polar Bear Skate and Classical Sundays.
OPENING CELEBRATION
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | 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. 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. Enter the LotteryFLASHBACK FRIDAYS PRESENTED BY CLASSIC HITS 103.7
November 21, December 26 & January 16 | 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. sessions
Get ready to rewind the clock and skate to the sounds of the 1980s! On the second Friday of each month, join us for Flashback Fridays—a totally tubular night of throwback jams, big hair, and even bigger energy. Classic Hits 103.7 will be live at the rink, spinning iconic tracks from legends like Madonna, Michael Jackson, Queen, Prince, Pat Benatar and more. Break out the neon, lace up those skates, and let’s party like it’s 1985. It’s going to be radical.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 Classical California KDFC 90.3 FM. Enjoy the beauty of skating to timeless melodies in a serene setting that elevates your experience.DRAG ON ICE
Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 6:30–8:00 p.m. $35pp
Get ready for a night that shimmers, shines, and slays! The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente is proud to welcome back Drag on Ice—San Francisco’s most dazzling celebration of holiday spirit and self-expression.Experience the sparkle like never before as local drag superstars bring the glam to the ice with unforgettable performances full of sass, style, and seasonal magic. Whether you’re skating alongside the drag performers or cheering them on from the sidelines, this is one festive night you won’t want to miss. Buy Drag on Ice Tickets
SILENT SKATE
Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. sessions. $35pp
The fan-favorite Silent Skate Party is back at The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente—for one night only! Get ready to glide, groove, and vibe at this one-of-a-kind silent disco on ice.Throw on a pair of wireless headphones, choose your channel, and skate to the beats of WiLD 94.9’s Jeanine da Feen, Star 101.3’s Magic Matt, or the Bay Area’s own DJ Von—each spinning live on-site with their signature sound. It’s an immersive on-ice dance party where you control the music and the moves. Lace up. Tune in. Let loose. Buy Silent Skate Tickets
POLAR BEAR SKATE
Friday, January 2, 2026 | 2:30–3:30 p.m. $30pp
Start the year with a splash of boldness at The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente! Inspired by the famous Canadian tradition, our New Year’s Day Polar Bear Skate invites skaters of all ages to hit the ice in their most outrageous swimwear on ice in the heart of Union Square!Break out your beachwear, bring the sunshine vibes, and skate into the new year in style. Prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed based on theme, creativity, and all-around fabulousness. It’s chilly, it’s cheeky, and it’s the coolest way to kick off 2026. Buy Polar Bear Skate Tickets
Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.
Cost: $22
Categories: **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Fun & Games, In Person, Kids & Families, Sports & Wellness
