The chill in the air is now matched with the gleaming ice in Union Square as the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink, presented by Kaiser Permanente, opens for seasonal merrymaking. In true San Franciscan tradition, the rink's 18th season promises a bustling, festive atmosphere in the heart of the city's shopping district, with skating available through January 19, as detailed on the Union Square Ice Rink's Instagram account.
While the ice rink draws visitors with its special events, including lessons, dance parties, and drag performances, local businesses surrounding Union Square are gearing up for an uptick in holiday foot traffic. The Last Drop Tavern is transforming into a festive destination, decking the halls and whipping up holiday cocktails. "It’s the most festive and vibrant time of the year for us," said Nnan Chotiphanomvivat, general manager of the tavern, in an interview with The SF Examiner. The Beacon Grand Hotel is adding to the holiday cheer with its upcoming Holiday Tea at The Post Room, offering a variety of edible delights, including scones and eggnog cheesecake, starting the day after Thanksgiving.
Alongside the festive draw of the ice rink and local hospitality hotspots, Union Square's economic revival is visible through several new openings. This year marks the addition of pop-ups and new enterprises, including a six-month pop-up location for Dandelion Chocolate and a rotating holiday food market, which aims to transform empty spaces into lively attractions. This transformation is part of the city's Vacant to Vibrant program, which strives to inject new energy into downtown spaces, as reported by KTVU.
What's more, the buzz around Union Square is expected to rise with Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of the Union Square Alliance, praising the rink reopening as even more special as the district continues its incredible revival. Even more commercial draw is anticipated with Macy's recent commitment to reenvision their department store’s Union Square flagship. As stated by Rodriguez in the KTVU story, "This is an iconic location in San Francisco. Why not reimagine it and meet the moment."
Tickets for the rink are priced at $20 for adults and $15 for children ages eight and under. Hours of operation run daily from 10 AM to 11 PM, except for a 9:30 PM closure on New Year's Eve.
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