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SF’s Union Square Ice Rink is Back for 2023-24 (Nov. 1 – Jan. 15)

San Francisco’s only outdoor ice skate rink returns for the holidays with 60 minute sessions, tons of special events and free skate lessons on weekends
By - posted 9/19/2023 No Comment

San Francisco’s only outdoor ice rink, the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink returns to Union Square for the 2023-24 holiday season and will host favorite on-ice traditions including Learn to Skate, Drag Queens On Ice, Flashback Fridays, Simba Saturdays, Silent Skate, and Polar Bear Skate.

SKATING SESSIONS AND HOURS (2023-24)

The ice rink will be open to the public daily from November 1, 2023, through January 15, 2024.

The hours for the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente are 10 a.m.–11 p.m. daily through January 15, 2024, with special extended hours December 18–29 (8:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.) on weekdays. The rink will close at 9:30 p.m. on December 31, 2023.

1-hour skating sessions start every 90 minutes

  • November 1 – December 17
    10:00am – 11:00pm Daily
  • December 18 – December 29
    8:30am – 11:00pm Monday – Friday
    10:00am – 11:00pm Saturdays & Sundays
  • December 30 – January 15
    10:00am – 11:00pm 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.

Bring your own skates? Get $5 off!

If you’d like to bring your own skates, let them know upon arrival and they’ll put $5 back on the credit card used in your original order.

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 – 2023-24

The 2023-24 season of outdoor skating and special on-ice events kicks off with an Opening Celebration on Wednesday, November 1 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, Simba Saturdays presented by Disney’s The Lion King, Flashback Fridays presented by 80s+, Silent Skate, and Polar Bear Skate.

OPENING CELEBRATION
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | 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 a performance from a cast member from Disney’s The Lion King. 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.

LEARN TO SKATE PRESENTED BY KAISER PERMANENTE
Select 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. All registered skaters must check-in no later than 7:30 a.m., or spot will be released to another guest. Advanced registration opens 2 weeks before each lesson date. Reservations will be allotted through a lottery system.

SIMBA SATURDAYS PRESENTED BY DISNEY’S THE LION KING
Saturdays through December 30 | 5:30 and 7 p.m. sessions
This season, “Simba Saturdays” roar to life at The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente. Guests will glide across a golden-hued wonderland transporting every skater to the heart of the Pride Lands. Sway and skate to the iconic tunes from the original Broadway cast recording of Disney’s The Lion King. Whether skaters are mastering their roar or their rink moves, families of all ages will find magic on the ice. A roaring good time awaits with special giveaways for the first 100 guests at each session.

FLASHBACK FRIDAYS PRESENTED BY 80s+
November 10, December 8 & January 12 | 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 80s+@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 QUEENS ON ICE
Thursday, December 7, 2023 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
The ice rink never sparkles more than when the City’s most radiant event, “Drag Queens 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 or grab a prime spot ringside to watch the fiercest drag queens in the San Francisco Bay Area deliver holiday performances that’ll sleigh your heart away.

SILENT SKATE PARTY
Thursday, December 14, 2023 | 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. sessions
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 Magic Matt, Star 101.3’s Janine Da Feen, and Bay Area’s DJ Von onsite, spinning your favorite tunes.

POLAR BEAR SKATE
Monday, January 1, 2024 | 2:30–3:30 p.m.
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.