Safeway Holiday Ice Rink Returns to Union Square for Another Magical Year of Outdoor Ice Skating and Holiday Festivities

SAN FRANCISCO (September 19, 2013)  –The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines, a San Francisco holiday tradition, will kick off the ice skating season Wednesday, November 6, 2013 and will be opened through Monday, January 20, 2014. The ice rink in Union Square is the premier location for outdoor ice skating among the vibrant lights and popular shopping destinations in San Francisco. A portion of proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco and San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. Advance tickets go on sale on Monday, October 15 at www.unionsquareicerink.com. Starting Wednesday, November 6, 2013 tickets will be available at the ice rink ticket window in Union Square. Group rates and private parties are also available.

“We are thrilled to return to the heart of San Francisco for another great year of ice skating, events and holiday festivities,” says Willy Bietak, Safeway Holiday Ice Rink producer and president of Willy Bietak Productions. “Union Square is the perfect place for families, couples and friends to enjoy the holiday season.”

The ice rink will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., with the exception of closing at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2013. Ticket prices for regular admission are $11 and $7 for children eight years old and under. Ice skate and hockey skate rentals are $5.

New Virtual Queue App in 2013:

This year, the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines will launch a mobile app Friday, November 1, providing visitors with ice rink information directly on their smart phones. The app will have special offers, incentives and most importantly, act as a “virtual queue”. The “virtual queue” will enable ice rink patrons the freedom to explore Union Square while waiting for their turn to skate. The mobile app can be downloaded 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 6, 2013 | 9:30 a.m.—10:00 a.m.

The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines will “break the ice” with a special ceremony to kick off the holiday ice skating season. #icebreaker2013

Single in the City: A Single’s Event | Thursday, December 5, 2013 |  8:00 p.m.—9:30 p.m.

The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines is celebrating being single in the city with an ice skating event for local singles! Grab your single friends and head down to the ice rink for a single’s night mixer!  #singleinthecitySF

Drag Queens on Ice: An Eleganza Extravaganza | Thursday, December 12, 2013 | 8:00 p.m.—9:30 p.m.

Presented by Visit Mendocino County, the fierce and fabulous drag queens of San Francisco are returning to the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines for an event that is “An Eleganza Extravaganza!” Drag queens and kings from across the Bay Area are invited to don their most “gay apparel” for an evening of laughs, lip synching and lipstick! #dragqueensonice

Polar Bear Skate: The San Francisco Edition | Wednesday, January 1, 2014 | 2:00 p.m.—3:30 p.m.

The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines is bringing back the Polar Bear Skate, a San Francisco-spin on an old tradition. With California-style in mind, ice skaters are encouraged to come in their favorite bathing suit and beach blanket apparel. Get your shades, bathing suit and best polar bear attire and come to the ice rink to take the plunge! #polarbearskate

Sponsors

Safeway, Alaska Airlines, Capital One 360, Kaiser Permanente, Macy*s, Marmot Mountain, Union Square Business Improvement District, Visit Mendocino County, The Westin St. Francis San Francisco, John’s Grill, CLIFT San Francisco, Chancellor Hotel, Galleria Park Hotel, Grand Hyatt San Francisco, SFMTA, Sugar Bowl Resort, NBC BAY AREA, Telemundo, KSTS-TV 48, STAR 101.3, 98.1 KISS FM, 106.1 KMEL, KOSF 103.7, WiLD 94.9 and KGO 810.

Marketing Partner
San Francisco Bulls

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

Since 2007, the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink 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. Ice skate and hockey skate rentals are $5. Ice rink hours are from 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. daily.  A portion of ticket proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco and 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.