WILLY BIETAK PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF THREE ICONIC OUTDOOR ICE RINKS IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Julie Richter, Prismatic Communications
480.818.8022 | moc.snoitacinummoccitamsirp@eiluj

THE SAFEWAY HOLIDAY ICE RINK IN SAN FRANCISCO’S UNION SQUARE OPENS NOVEMBER 3, 2021

KRISTI YAMAGUCHI DOWNTOWN ICE IN SAN JOSE OPENS NOVEMBER 19, 2021

THE WINTER ICE RINK DOWNTOWN SUNNYVALE OPENS NOVEMBER 19, 2021

SAN FRANCISCO (September 28, 2021)— Today, Willy Bietak Productions announced the anticipated return of three iconic outdoor ice rinks in the San Francisco Bay Area this holiday season. Residents and visitors throughout the Bay Area can enjoy the favorite holiday tradition in San Francisco at The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square (November 3, 2021–January 17, 2022), Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice in San Jose (November 19, 2021–January 9, 2022), and The Winter Ice Rink Downtown Sunnyvale (November 19, 2021–January 2, 2022). After 12 years of creating unforgettable moments on ice at The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square, Willy Bietak Productions seeks to bring the same caliber experience to the South Bay, presenting—for the first time—an exciting season of events, holiday festivities and outdoor skating at The Winter Ice Rink and Downtown Ice in San Jose. Tickets and event information for all rinks are available at bayareaiceskating.com.

“After a year hiatus, we are excited to bring the magic of outdoor skating back to the San Francisco Bay Area with three ice rinks in unforgettable, picturesque locations,” says Willy Bietak, President of Willy Bietak Productions. “No matter your age or skill level, San Francisco, San Jose, and Sunnyvale will each offer a diverse lineup of events and skating experiences for the community to create festive memories this season.”

Since 2008, The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square has delighted children and adults with its holiday-themed ice park located in San Francisco’s Union Square. From families to friends, and couples to colleagues, everyone can enjoy ice skating in San Francisco’s iconic plaza surrounded by festive lights and the sights and sounds of the season. Novices and naturals alike will love the outdoor ice skating experience in the middle of beautiful San Francisco. The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink’s roster of events includes the highly anticipated Drag Queens On Ice, Flashback Fridays, and Polar Bear Skate.

Newly managed by Willy Bietak Productions, Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice in San Jose will celebrate its 25th anniversary as the premier holiday experience in San Jose. Downtown Ice features a one-of-a-kind shaped ice rink and track, inviting visitors to skate in and around 32 palm trees. The season will see the return of community-led events like Ice Queens and Schools on Skates, as well as new favorites like the Silent Skate Party and Musical Mondays presented by Broadway San Jose.

The Winter Ice Rink Downtown Sunnyvale—another new addition to Willy Bietak Productions—made its debut in 2019 under the redwood trees in downtown Sunnyvale. The upcoming season will invite visitors to Learn to Curl and will feature the return of Robots on Ice, a one-of-a-kind event merging the tech industry with the sport of ice skating.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Attendees at all rinks must provide proof of full vaccination with a valid ID. Full vaccination means that it has been at least 14 days since the person received their final vaccine dose. For up-to-date information about onsite safety measures, visit the rinks’ websites. Entry requirements do not apply to children under the age of 12, who are not yet eligible for the vaccine.

TICKETS

Tickets for all ice rinks must be purchased in advance. General admission tickets for The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink and Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice in San Jose are $19 with skate rental included in the cost of admission. General admission tickets for The Winter Ice Rink Downtown Sunnyvale are $15 and include skate rental.

SAN FRANCISCO: Tickets for The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink can be purchased online in advance by visiting unionsquareicerink.com. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.

SAN JOSE: Tickets for Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice in San Jose can be purchased online in advance by visiting downtownicesj.com. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream.

SUNNYVALE: Tickets for The Winter Ice Rink Downtown Sunnyvale can be purchased online in advance by visiting citylinesunnyvale.com/icerink. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit Sunnyvale Community Services.

HOURS

SAN FRANCISCO: The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink hours are from 10 a.m.–11 p.m. daily through January 17, 2022, with the exception of closing at 9:30 p.m. on December 31, 2021.

SAN JOSE: Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice in San Jose hours are 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m. from November 19–December 17, 2021; 10 a.m.–11 p.m. from December 18, 2021–January 2, 2022; and 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m. from January 3–January 9, 2022.

SUNNYVALE: The Winter Ice Rink Downtown Sunnyvale hours are 12:30 p.m.–9 p.m. from November 19–December 16, 2021; and 11 a.m.–9 p.m. from December 17, 2021–January 2, 2022.

SPECIAL EVENTS

SAN FRANCISCO: For the special event lineup and social media information of The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square, click HERE.

SAN JOSE: For the special event lineup and social media information of The Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice in San Jose, click HERE.

SUNNYVALE: For the special event lineup and social media information of The Winter Ice Rink Downtown Sunnyvale, click HERE.

SPONSORS

SAN FRANCISCO: Sponsors of The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square are Safeway, Kaiser Permanente, Macy’s, San Francisco Marriott Union Square, Hotel G, Galleria Park Hotel, Union Square Alliance, NBC Bay Area, BART, SFMTA, STAR 101.3, 98.1 The Breeze, 106.1 KMEL, 80s+, WiLD 94.9, Pride Radio and Telemundo 48.

SAN JOSE: Sponsors of Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice in San Jose are Google, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Sabrato, Alaska Airlines, Urban Catalyst, City of San Jose – Environmental Services Department, and NBC Bay Area.

SUNNYVALE: Sponsors of The Winter Ice Rink Downtown Sunnyvale are Google, Facebook, Cityline Sunnyvale, NBC Bay Area, and iHeart Radio.

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 bietakproductions.com.

About the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department currently manages more than 220 parks, playgrounds and open spaces throughout San Francisco, including two outside city limits—Sharp Park in Pacifica and Camp Mather in the High Sierras. The system includes full-complex recreation centers, swimming pools, golf courses, sports fields and numerous small-to-medium-sized clubhouses that offer a variety of sports and arts-related recreation programs for people of all ages. Included in the Department’s responsibilities are Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, the Marina Yacht Harbor, the San Francisco Zoo and Lake Merced. In 2017, San Francisco became the first and only city in the nation where all residents have access to a park within a 10-minute walk, a direct result of the Department’s commitment to increasing and improving parkland in the city.

About Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream

In 1996, Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi created Always Dream to support children, providing broad support for local charities. In 2010, Kristi and the Board narrowed the focus to have a greater impact. Today our mission is to ensure children from families with low income have access to high-quality books in the home environment and extensive family engagement support.

Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream developed the Always Reading Program to help foster a love of reading in children. The program partners with schools serving predominantly families with low income to provide Kindergarten students with a digital library of high-quality books and to engage parents as active participants in their child’s learning. Anchored in research and best practice, the program is designed to encourage parents and children to read together, build regular reading routines, and create home environments that support early literacy. Always Dream (AD) provides its Always Reading program in three key geographic markets: Hawai’i, California, and Arizona.

About Sunnyvale Community Services

For more than 50 years, Sunnyvale Community Services (SCS) has been serving low-income residents. An independent, nonprofit emergency assistance agency in the heart of Silicon Valley, our mission is to prevent homelessness and hunger. Today our comprehensive safety-net services include year-round food assistance, financial aid, wraparound case management, and more. SCS served 10,310 clients in 2020, reflecting a 50% increase in clients served over a five-year period. If you or someone you know needs help, or you would like to learn more, please contact us at (408) 738-4321 or visit svcommunityservices.org.