Where to Find Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks Around the Bay Area

Holiday time means outdoor skating rinks!  Here is our list of San Francisco Bay area outdoor skating rinks for 2018.  Holiday planning tip: San Jose’s Downtown Ice is open through January 27, 2019 for fun during the BCS Championship game and the NHL All Star game. New for 2018:  holiday rinks at Cal Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, Civic Center in San Francisco and Bumper Ice sessions in San Mateo. and  Please check the respective website to confirm dates as sometimes there are private events booked.

San Jose Downtown Ice at Circle Palms

November 16 – January 27, 2019. Downtown Ice will become call it “Championship Ice” Jan. 4-7 for the BCS Championship Game on Jan 7 and will be open until Jan 27 for the NHL All Star Game at SAP Center. Admission is $15 for children 10-under and military and $17 for skaters 11-older.  Those who bring their own skates will be admitted for $10.  Hours and specials are posted at http://downtownicesj.com.  San Jose Downtown Ice is ‘all you can skate’ (as opposed to buying a ticket for a ‘session’).  Season pass $80 includes skating once a day throughout the season.

Santa Clara – Outdoor Ice Rink at Central Park

November 19 – January 21, 2019.  Located at Central Park in Santa Clara. Ice rink hours are from M-Th 2pm-8pm; Fri 2pm-10pm; Sat 1pm-10pm; Sun 1pm-8pm.  Visit the site for special hours during 12/21-1/7).  Admission per two hour session: $10 Kids (4-12); $15 Adults; Free for (child 3 & under with paid adult).  All-Day Skating Pass (Monday-Thursday on non-holidays) are $15 Kids (4-12); $22 Adults; Free for (child 3 & under with paid adult).  Frequent Skater Pass Youth (4-12) – 1 person for 12 admissions $150, Frequent Skater Pass Adults (13+) – 1 person for 12 admissions $180.  santaclaraonice.com

San Francisco Ice Skating in Union Square

November 7 – January 21, 2019.  Located Ice rink hours are from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., daily. Ice skating sessions in Union Square begin every even hour and last for 90 minutes.  Admission: General Admission $18; Children (Eight and Under) $13; Skate Helper Rental $6; Locker Rental $3.  Free skating lessons are offered every Saturday and Sunday. Space is limited to 50 participants per day, and you must register in advance.  Union Square Ice Rink

Walnut Creek on Ice

November 9 – January 21, 2019.  General admission is $12-$15. Hours vary but most skating begins at 11 am or 12 pm.  Frequent Skater Passes are available to purchase at the rink. Each pass is good for 10 visits at the special price of $109. Family Skate nights on Tuesdays. $35 for a family of 4 includes admission & skate rental (11/13, 11/27, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18, 1/8, 1/15). Frosty & Friends, special skate event for kids on January 12, 2019.  Walnut Creek on Ice

The Little Ice Rink, Alameda

Nov 3 – January 15, 2019.  Located at South Shore Center in Alameda.  General admission $17 for adults (9+), $13 for children. $6 discount if you bring your own skates.  Skate helper rental (Bobby the Seal) $8.  Hours: Monday – Friday 3 pm – 10 pm, Saturday-Sunday 10 am – 10 pm.  Extended weekday hours on school holidays 12 pm – 10 pm. Season Passes $169 – $219. Weekly Performances Every Friday Night at 7:45PM by Skaters from Oakland Sharks Ice! Link

WinterFest at CA Great America, Santa Clara

November 23 – December 31, 2018. $15 per 45 minute session (includes skate rental). Buy 4 or more for $12.50 each.  Check the CA Great America site for specific dates and times.  WinterFest will include live shows, carollers, tree lightings, and other events.  Link

Downtown Ice – Martinez

Unfortunately Downtown Ice Martinez has been  cancelled for 2018.  Hopefully it will be back for 2019.

San Mateo on Ice – San Mateo

November 10 – January 13, 2018. Located in Central Park, San Mateo. $16 per person; $13 for Active military, fire, and police. Must show ID. $5 same day re-entry. $3 all day locker rental-key.  For 2018, San Mateo Ice offers Bumper Car on Ice sessions.  $15 per bumper car.  Bumper Car Sessions run every 20 mins from 12pm-8pm daily.  Daily hours vary, please check their calendar for specific hours. Link

Marin on Ice – San Rafael

November 9 – January 7, 2019. Located in the Oaktree Plaza at North Gate Mall. $15 per person including skate rental. $13 Military, Police, and Fire personnel (Must Show ID). Daily hours vary, please check their calendar for specific hours. $120 for 10 tickets. $5 all day locker rental-key deposit required.  Link

Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center San Francisco

November 7 through January 6, 2019. Located at Justin Herman Plaza, adjacent to Four Embarcadero Center. General Admission $12; Children (8 & under) $7; Skate Rental $5.  Hours: Sunday – Thursday 10am-9:30pm; Friday – Saturday 10am-11:30pm.  Ice skating sessions begin every even hour and last for 90 minutes. Link

Holiday Ice Rink at Cal Academy of Sciences

November 16 through January 6, 2019. Located in the East Garden of the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. Tickets $10 for daytime skating (plus museum admission).  $15 per person/$10 members for skating sessions on Sundays from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm when the exhibits are closed (so on museum admission is required).   Hours: Morning Skate: Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 12:30 pm; Sunday, 11 am – 12:30 pm; Afternoon Skate: Daily, 1 pm – 4:30 pm.  Link

The Winter Park at Civic Center

November 30 through January 6, 2019. Located at Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco. Tickets Adults: $20 (all sessions), Children 8 and under: $15 (sessions 4pm, 6pm, 8pm);  Children 8 and under: $5 (sessions 12pm, 2pm). Skate Helper: $6 and Lockers $3.  Parking is $3-$6.  Hours at 12 pm – 10 pm.   Granite Curling Club will offer curling lessons every Sunday. Cost is $20 per person.  Link

Other Discounts and Special Prices for Outdoor Ice Rinks

Groupon.  Also visiting the web sites and subscribing to the newsletter.  And of course, the Local Discount section of CelebrateFamily.us!