Union Square’s Ice Skating Rink Opens for 2016
The Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square celebrates with special ceremony on Wednesday, November 2, 2016. The ice rink will open with all the festive fanfare befitting the icy paradise. Twirl in for this special San Francisco event and enjoy the fun.
Ice Breaking Ceremony
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Union Square, San Francisco
FREE to watchA special performance from Buyi Zama, who plays “Rafiki” in the North American touring production of Disney’s “The Lion King”, a guest appearance from the San Francisco Giants’ very own Lou Seal, and DJ Von spinning live for the inaugural session.
> Free Weekend Skating Lessons: Join for free skate lessons (with registration) and learn fundamentals from pros and improve your confidence – and up the fun factor – on the ice. Available for ages 3 to 300, lessons will last 30 minutes and skaters will then have 30 minutes to free skate and practice their skills.
About the Union Square Holiday Ice Rink
Ticket prices are $12 for regular admission and $7 for children eight years old and under. Ice skate and hockey skate rentals are $6. Ice rink hours are from 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. daily.
2016 Ice Rink Schedule & Special Events
Skating Sessions and Hours
Ice rink hours are from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., daily from November 2, 2016, until January 16, 2017 . Ice skating sessions in Union Square begin every even hour and last for 90 minutes:
Admission
General Admission $12, Kids (8 and under) $7, Skate Rental $6
Opening Celebration
Wednesday, November 2 | 9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
The ice rink will open with all the festive fanfare befitting our icy paradise. Twirl in for this special San Francisco event that includes a performance from Disney’s The Lion King and an appearance by the San Francisco Giants’ lovable Lou Seal. Usher in the ice skating season with us.
Learn To Skate presented by Kaiser Permanente
Saturday, November 5 | 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Sign up here
Sunday, November 6 | 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Sign up here
Saturday, December 3 | 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Coming soon!
Sunday, December 4 | 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Coming soon!
Saturday, January 7 | 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Coming soon!
Sunday, January 8 | 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Coming soon!
New to ice skating? Join us for free skate lessons courtesy of Kaiser Permanente. Learn fundamentals from our pros and improve your confidence – and up the fun factor – on the ice. Available for ages 3 to 300, lessons will last 30 minutes and skaters will then have 30 minutes to free skate and practice their skills.
Simba Saturdays
Every Saturday in November and December | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. & 8:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Have a roaring good time when you skate during Simba Saturdays, complete with magical gold rink lighting and songs from Disney’s The Lion King live musical soundtrack.
Tots On Ice presented by SF Gate
Tuesday, November 8 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. & 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 13 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. & 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 10 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. & 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Special sessions for our littlest of skaters! We invite parents and caregivers to bring children aged 3 – 6 for this charming San Francisco event – a fun and age-appropriate ice skating adventure.
Flashback Fridays
Friday, November 11 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. & 8:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Friday, December 9 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. & 8:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Friday, January 13 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. & 8:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Bust out your best 80s garb and get ready to flashback with iHeart80s @ 103.7 personalities. Grab your neon, pull out the scrunchies and shoulder pads and pull on your parachute pants; special prizes will be handed out the best 80s getups.
Drag Queens on Ice presented by Alaska Airlines
Thursday, December 8 | 8:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Fierce, fabulous and always cool, Bay Area drag queens return to the ice for this wildly popular annual event. Over the top, outrageous and the most entertaining spectacle on blades, this performance guarantees to make audiences of all ages laugh and dance. Sore cheeks from smiling for 90 minutes straight included. A truly glittering and glamorous San Francisco event.
Silent Night Skate Party
Thursday, December 15 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. & 8:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Boogie across the ice at our first-ever silent disco! Skaters will sport wireless headphones and listen to one of three channels available via the headphones including hits from WiLD 94.9.
Polar Bear Skate: The San Francisco Edition Event
Sunday, January 1, 2017 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Join us for our own icy take on this Canadian New Year’s tradition. Skaters of all ages are invited to don their bathing suits, grab their sunnies and glide into 2017 at the ice rink in Union Square. Plush polar bear hats will be given to the first 100 skaters dressed to participate in our Polar Bear Skate “Best Ensemble” contest, and amazing prizes will be awarded to contest winners.
