Even during the winter, snow and icy temperatures in the Bay Area are rare and fleeting. But there is enough chill in the air to create a yearning for classic winter activities. And that seasonal pull brings pop-up rinks to town plazas and outdoor spaces. So pull on a layer or two and get ready to glide into winter with the Chronicle’s guide to ice skating options around the Bay Area.
Many rinks are closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Nov. 27. Check websites for hours.
San Francisco
Union Square Holiday Ice Rink
The annual holiday rink, famous for its impressive decor and festive ambiance, will mark its 18th anniversary. Located in the heart of Union Square with its iconic Christmas tree and giant menorah, the rink is a popular spot for tourists and locals. Special events scheduled this year include ‘learn to skate’ mornings from 8-9 a.m. on weekends , “Drag on Ice” (6:30 p.m. Dec. 4), a “Silent DJ Skate” (7 and 8:30 p.m. Dec. 11), ’80s-themed “Flashback Fridays” (7 and 8:30 p.m. Dec. 26 and Jan. 16), weekly “Classical Sunday” mornings at 8 a.m. and a “Polar Bear Skate” (2:30 p.m. Jan. 1).
10 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. Through Jan. 19. $17-$35; skate rentals included with admission. Additional cost for some special events. Union Square, 333 Post St., S.F. 415-295-1588. https://unionsquareicerink.com
Union Square’s annual Holiday Ice Rink is scheduled to include fun themed skate events such as its popular ’80s-themed “Flashback Fridays.” (Union Square Holiday Ice Rink)
Yerba Buena Skate Winterfest
The downtown skating rink on the Yerba Buena Gardens campus will host a holiday event that’s set to feature carnival games, snow play, skating exhibitions, raffles and more. Additionally, the venue will be presenting a “Holiday Magic” ice skating show on Dec. 13 and offers daily public skate hours year-round.
6:30-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29. Free-$10. Yerba Buena Skate and Bowl, 750 Folsom St., S.F. 415-820-3521. www.yerbabuena.org/do/yerba-buena-ice-skating-winterfest
Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland series includes a synthetic skating rink with free admission on Dec. 23-24 and Dec. 26-20 in San Francisco. (Thrive City)
Thrive City Winter Wonderland Ice Skating
Glide into the holiday season ice skating on smooth synthetic ice. Sessions are between 20-30 minutes with Eventbrite registrations receiving priority admission followed by a limited number of walk-ups offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Noon-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23 and Friday-Monday, Dec. 26-29; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24 and Tuesday, Dec. 30. Free, reservations required. Thrive City, 1 Warriors Way, S.F. www.chasecenter.com
North Bay
Merry Meritage Holiday Ice Rink and Winter Village
The luxe Napa Valley compound’s seasonal celebration includes an outdoor skating rink, daily “snow” flurries, a 40-foot decorated tree, Tinsel Teas, free skating performances (5 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 20 and 31), gingerbread house making workshops, “Storytimes with Santa” and more. On Nov. 29 a Christmas tree lighting celebration is set to include live music and skating performances, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, Mickie and Minnie Mouse and Disney princesses, an artisan marketplace, family-friendly activities, a Toys for Tots gift drive and other seasonal festivities.
4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Nov. 29-Dec. 21; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, Dec. 1-Jan. 4. $19-$34. Meritage Resort, 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa. 866-370-6272. www.merrymeritage.com
Merry Meritage Holiday Ice Rink and Winter Village’s seasonal celebration at the Meritage Resert in Napa includes live figure skating performances and more. (Meritage Resort)
Luma Ice
This year the City of Petaluma’s newest holiday tradition continues for its second year with an indoor, real-ice holiday skating rink. In addition to skating, there will be family-friendly activities, a holiday lights installation, tractor rides, food vendors, a ‘howliday’ pet adoption and resource fair, a Christmas tree lot and more.
Opens Dec. 10. See website for hours. Through Jan. 6. $15-$20. Petaluma Fairgrounds Expo Hall, 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma. 707-778-4380. www.lumaice.com
Snoopy’s Home Ice rink in Santa Rosa. (Snoopy’s Home Ice rink )
Snoopy’s Home Ice
Like stepping into a scene from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” this year-round indoor rink offers plenty of room to skate and boasts serious holiday spirit, with old-school decor and a big Christmas tree. Holiday events scheduled include free live outdoor performances (Dec. 5-7), Redwood Ice Theatre Company’s “Merry and Bright” holiday skating show (Dec. 13), Toddlers on Ice Winter Wonderland Trail (Dec. 17) and more. The Warm Puppy Cafe offers a cozy spot to enjoy hot chocolate and snack bar fare.
See website for daily schedule. $8-$18, skate rentals available. Snoopy’s Home Ice, 1667 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. 707-546-7147. www.snoopyshomeice.com
Iceless Skating at the Bay Area Discovery Museum
Experience a winter wonderland as the children’s museum hosts a synthetic rink for slipping and sliding with safety for small guests in mind.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Through Feb. 8. Included with museum admission. Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito. 415-339-3900. www.bayareadiscoverymuseum.org
This year’s Holiday Ice Rink at City Center Bishop Ranch will include a morning skating clinic with Kristi Yamaguchi on Dec. 6 at the San Ramon pop-up ice arena. (Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink)
East Bay
Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink
This year’s rink has rink-side fire pits available to rent and special events scheduled include a Disney’s “Elsa” night (Dec. 3), a morning skating clinic with Kristi (Dec. 6), “Elf” night (Dec. 10), ugly sweaters skate (Dec. 17), New Year’s Eve Glow night (Dec. 31), K-Pop (Jan. 1), Sabrina Carpenter (Jan. 2) and Taylor Swift nights (Jan. 4).
11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sunday; 1-8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Through Jan. 4. $10-$144. City Center Bishop Ranch, 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon. 925-815-1902. www.citycenterbishopranch.com
Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink will host special events including a New Year’s Eve Glow night on Dec. 31 at City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon. (Studio Blanc/Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink)
Oakland Ice Center
Special holiday hours are available at the indoor, year-round skating rink, owned and operated by the parent company of the San Jose Sharks.
$12-$25; see website for daily public skate schedule. 519 18th St., Oakland. 510-268-9000. www.oaklandice.com
TriValley Ice
The rink that both Brian Boitano and Kristi Yamaguchi have trained at, formerly known as Dublin Iceland, is under new ownership but continues to offer similar programming including year-round public skate sessions, figure skating lessons, ice hockey and more.
$12-$17; see website for schedule. TriValley Ice, 7212 San Ramon Road, Dublin. 925-829-4444. www.dublinice.com
Figure skater Brian Boitano, seen here in 2017 at the Yerba Buena skating center in San Francisco, trained at TriValley Ice in Dublin, then known as Dublin Iceland. (Paul Chinn/The Chronicle)
Ice at the Veranda
This seasonal, open-air mall courtyard rink offers individual and season pass ticketing options.
Open daily. See website for schedule. $20-$159, includes skate rental. Fountain Pavilion Park, the Veranda, 2001-2003 Diamond Blvd., Concord. 925-265-6755. www.shoptheveranda.com
Walnut Creek on Ice
The seasonal, outdoor rink offers cozy rink-side fire pits for rent during your skating session and ice slide tubing. Special events scheduled include pick-up hockey games, a cafe and more.
Open daily. See website for schedule. Through Jan. 19. $18.36-$44, includes skate rental. Civic Park, 1365 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. 925-935-7669. www.walnutcreekdowntown.com/walnut-creek-on-ice
Peninsula
San Mateo on Ice
An outdoor pop-up rink offers free community skate days on Dec. 2 and 16. Tent for parties available to rent.
$18-$33, skate rentals included. Through Jan. 11. Central Park, 50 E. Fifth Ave., San Mateo. 650-344-7465. www.onicerinks.com
Nazareth Ice Oasis San Mateo
You can sign up for public skates, figure-skating lessons, pickup hockey games and more at this year-round indoor ice rink.
$19-$25. See website for schedule. 2202 Bridgepointe Pkwy., San Mateo. 650-574-6033. www.nazarethice.com
Merry Meritage Holiday Ice Rink and Winter Village’s seasonal celebration at the Meritage Resert in Napa includes free Storytime with Santa and more. (Meritage Resort)
South Bay
Winter Lodge
Open since 1956, the outdoor ice rink has charming vibes and holiday decorations, including cozy fireplaces and an illuminated Christmas tree.
3-7:30 p.m. Sunday; 3-5 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; 8-10 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday; 3-10 p.m. Saturday. Through April 12. $20-$26. 3009 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. 650-493-4566. www.winterlodge.com
Skate Under the Palms: Downtown Ice San Jose
Since 1994 the San Jose Downtown Association has curated this creative, circular outdoor ice skating rink for the winter holiday season. Downtown San Jose pumps up the holiday spirit even higher with its Christmas in the Park holiday lights and Winter Wonderland festival events right around the corner.
Opens Nov. 26. Through Jan. 19. See website for schedule. $24.15, includes skate rental. Circle of Palms, 120 S. Market St., San Jose. www.skateunderthepalms.com
Gilroy Gardens’ North Pole Nights
Visit with Santa and enjoy live entertainment, ice skating under the stars, illuminated displays, as well as seasonal food and drink vendors throughout the park.
Opens Nov. 28. Through Dec. 31. See website for schedule. $45-$70. Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway. 408-840-7100. www.gilroygardens.org/holiday
This article originally published at 2025 Bay Area holiday guide: Where to go ice skating this winter.