San Francisco eases into the holidays the moment the ice goes down in Union Square. On Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink returns to the heart of downtown, open daily through Monday, January 18, 2027. It is the unofficial start of the season in the city, set beneath the plaza’s towering holiday tree and the lights of Post Street.
Now in its 19th season, the rink has been a downtown fixture since 2008, drawing families, couples, and first timers onto the open air ice in the middle of the shopping district. Opening night brings a festive ceremony from 5 to 7 p.m., with performances on the ice and free skating for the first 100 guests during the 5:30 and 7 p.m. sessions. A portion of every ticket supports the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, which makes a night out here feel a little more like giving back.
What to Expect on the Ice
Skating runs in hour long sessions that start every 90 minutes, so there is room to glide a few laps and warm up with a cocoa between turns. Across the season the rink leans into its theme nights, from the return of Drag on Ice and the Silent Skate disco to Flashback Fridays and a new run of Wednesday evening themed skates. It is cheerful, a little nostalgic, and built for all ages.
A few practicals: general admission is $22 and includes skate rental, with children 8 and under at $17 and lockers available for $5. The rink is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., closing earlier at 9:30 p.m. on December 31, and tickets are best booked in advance. Downtown parking is tight, so Muni or a short walk from the Powell Street BART station is the easy way in.
Part of the appeal is where it sits. Union Square is the crossroads of downtown San Francisco, walkable from the theaters, department stores, and hotels that define this stretch of the city, and a quick ride from nearly every neighborhood on the Muni map. For residents, a season of skating under the lights is a reminder of how much the city packs into a few square blocks, and how easily a weeknight here turns into a small occasion.
When: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 through Monday, January 18, 2027 (open daily, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; 9:30 p.m. close on December 31)
Where: Union Square, 333 Post Street, San Francisco (near Geary and Powell)
Learn More: Union Square Holiday Ice Rink
Sources: unionsquareicerink.com
