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Safeway Holiday Ice Rink Returns to Union Square with a New and Exciting Season of Outdoor Ice Skating and Holiday Festivities

September 28, 2015

Safeway Holiday Ice Rink Returns to Union Square with a New and Exciting Season of Outdoor Ice Skating and Holiday Festivities
San Francisco’s Most Bustling, Festive Holiday Locale Celebrates 8th Anniversary
November 4, 2015 – January 18, 2016

SAN FRANCISCO (September 28, 2015)  – The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West, a San Francisco holiday tradition, will kick off the ice skating season on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 with a lineup of jubilant and festive activities for all ages. The ice rink will remain open through Monday, January 18, 2016. The ice rink in Union Square, which the “TODAY” show calls one of the “Best Ice Skating Rinks in the U.S.,” is the premier location for outdoor ice skating amongst the vibrant lights and popular shopping destinations in San Francisco.A portion of this year’s proceeds benefit the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.

Advance tickets go on sale on Monday, October 26 at www.unionsquareicerink.com. Starting Wednesday, November 4, 2015 tickets will be available at the ice rink ticket window in Union Square Park. Group rates and private parties are also available at www.unionsquareicerink.com/private-parties.

“We are thrilled to return for another great year of ice skating in the heart of San Francisco with memorable festivities and traditions as well as exciting new events,” says Willy Bietak, Safeway Holiday Ice Rink producer and president of Willy Bietak Productions.  “The Ice Rink is a part of the very fabric of the City, and it’s truly a perfect place where everyone from families, couples and friends can expect to be charmed by the festive lights of Union Square and the magic of ice skating in one of the most treasured locales in the country.”

The ice rink will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., with the exception of closing at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2015. Ticket prices for regular admission are $11 and $7 for children eight years old and under. Figure skate and hockey skate rentals are $6.

Kaiser Permanente Skate-o-meter Feature in Mobile App for 2015-2016: The Kaiser Permanente Skate-o-meter returns to the ice rink mobile app this season allowing skaters at the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West to track their calories burned while skating. The Skate-o-meter is included in the ice rink mobile app available November 1, 2015 through iTunes and GooglePlay App Stores.

Special Events This Season: The ice rink will host a variety of exciting events perfect for enjoying the holiday season.

Icebreaker: Opening Ceremony | Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | 9:30 a.m.—10:00 a.m.
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West will open with a special ceremony to “break the ice” and kick off the holiday ice skating season with a special performance. #unionsquarerink

Dungeon on Ice | Friday, November 13, 2015 | 8:00 p.m.—10:30 p.m.
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West will host a brand new event for the 2015-2016 season partnering with the cast from the wildly popular The San Francisco Dungeon for a unique “Friday the 13th” spin on the traditional holiday skating outing. The San Francisco Dungeon will also provide complimentary admission tickets, which is a $26 value, for all paying ice rink guests during the specific “Dungeon on Ice” skate period. #dungeononice

Bank of the West Wednesdays | Every Wednesday| 10:00 a.m.—11:30 p.m
Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West is excited to announce that every Wednesday this holiday season at the rink will be known as “Bank of the West Wednesdays”, and will include free skate rentals to all patrons plus free admission to all Bank of the West customers. #skatewest

Single in the City: A Single’s Event | Thursday, December 3, 2015 |  8:00 p.m.—9:30 p.m.
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West is celebrating being single in the city for an ice skating event for all singles to enjoy. Grab your single friends and head down to the ice rink for a single’s night mixer!  #singleinthecitySF

Drag Queens on Ice: Fa-la-la-la-abulous! | Thursday, December 10, 2015 | 8:00 p.m.—9:30
The fierce and “fa-la-la-la-abulous” drag queens of the Bay Area are returning to the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West for one of the City’s most popular holiday events. The wildly exciting drag performers are sure to shine in a night full of lip-syncing and lipstick that is guaranteed to make audiences of all ages laugh and dance with #dragqueensonice

Polar Bear Skate: The San Francisco Edition | Friday, January 1, 2016 | 2:00 p.m.—3:30 p.m.
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West is excited to bring back the San Francisco take on the popular Canadian tradition. In this version, however, ice skaters of all ages are encouraged to put on their bathing suit, grab their shades and come to the ice rink to “take the plunge” and join this fun and exciting New Year’s Day Union Square tradition.  #polarbearskate

Sponsors: Safeway, Bank of the West, PayPal, Alaska Airlines, Kaiser Permanente, Macy*s, SKANSKA, Marmot Mountain, Sugar Bowl Resort, Union Square Business Improvement District, CLIFT San Francisco, Galleria Park Hotel, Hotel Rex, John’s Grill, Grand Hyatt San Francisco, SFMTA, NBC BAY AREA, The San Francisco Chronicle, BART, STAR 101.3, 98.1 KISS FM, 106.1 KMEL, BIG 103.7, WiLD 94.9, KGO 810 and Telemundo 48.

Social Media Links

#unionsquarerink

Facebook          Facebook.com/UnionSquareRink

Twitter              @UnionSquareRink

Instagram        @UnionSquareRink

Ice Skating B-Roll Video

To download, please click here and save the video file to your desktop.

About the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West
Since 2007, the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West has delighted children and adults with a holiday-themed ice park located in San Francisco’s Union Square.  Ticket prices are $11 for regular admission and $7 for children eight years old and under.

Figure skate and hockey skate rentals are $6. Ice rink hours are from 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. daily.  A portion of ticket proceeds benefit the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.  For tickets or more information, please visit www.unionsquareicerink.com or call 415-781-2688.

About Willy Bietak Productions
Santa Monica-based Willy Bietak Productions is a full-service production company specializing in the development and production of high quality family entertainment. With a staff of award-winning designers, directors, choreographers and musical arrangers – backed by a talented production and management team – Willy Bietak Productions conceives, packages and tours international entertainment spectaculars as well as special events. For more information, please visit www.bietakproductions.com.

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For more information and additional holiday images, please contact:
James Smith | Charles Zukow Associates | moc.wokuzselrahc@SsemaJ | (415) 296-0677

Keep up with the latest – and coolest – news straight from Union Square, San Francisco’s most magical and festive ice skating destination.

For press inquiries, please contact:

Julie Richter
Prismatic Communications

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