Union Square Ice Rink Opens 19th Season
Tickets are sold online in advance, and beginners can enter a lottery for a free weekend skating lesson.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Ice Shows
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San Franciscans heading downtown this holiday season have a new skating option: the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink opened for its 19th season at Union Square on Wednesday evening. The rink runs daily through Jan. 18, 2027.
Why it matters
For families, first-time skaters and anyone who wants a seasonal outing near the shops and cable cars, the rink is a familiar fixture of the holidays downtown. Its return in a 19th season keeps a long-running Union Square tradition in place for another winter.
The rink is in its 19th season and runs daily through Jan. 18, 2027, with themed Mid-week Merriment skating starting at 8:30 p.m. each Wednesday. The source does not report ticket prices, attendance or capacity figures.
The players
Safeway Holiday Ice Rink
The seasonal rink at Union Square that opened its 19th season this week.
Brian Boitano
Olympic gold medalist figure skater and San Franciscan who headlined the opening celebration.
The details
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink at Union Square opened Wednesday evening with an opening celebration that featured Olympic gold medalist and San Franciscan Brian Boitano. Tickets can be bought in advance online, and beginner skaters can enter a lottery for a free skating lesson on a weekend. Every Wednesday this season brings a themed Mid-week Merriment night at 8:30 p.m., with past themes including Dolly Parton and KPop.
Timeline
Wednesday evening, Nov. 4, 2026: rink officially opens with an opening celebration.
Every Wednesday this holiday season: Mid-week Merriment themed skating at 8:30 p.m.
Through Jan. 18, 2027: rink open daily for the season.
Across the Bay
The rink marks its 19th season, continuing a Union Square holiday ritual that has run for nearly two decades. This winter's schedule follows the same pattern of daily public skating with themed weekday nights.
If you want to skate, buy tickets online ahead of time and check the Wednesday 8:30 p.m. themed sessions. Beginners can enter the free lesson lottery for a weekend slot before the season ends on Jan. 18.
The takeaway
The rink is open daily through Jan. 18, 2027, so there is a clear window to plan a visit. Enter the beginner lesson lottery early and buy tickets in advance online to secure your spot.
What happens next
The rink closes its season on Jan. 18, 2027, the last day it is open this year.
Further reading
For more seasonal skating options, browse the Ice Shows section.
Live Poll
Do you plan to visit a downtown holiday ice rink this season?
