THE SAFEWAY HOLIDAY ICE RINK IN UNION SQUAREPRESENTED BY KAISER PERMANENTE CELEBRATES18 YEARS IN THE HEART OF SAN FRANCISCO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Julie Richter, Prismatic Communications | moc.snoitacinummoccitamsirp@eiluj

Beloved Holiday Tradition Returns with New Experiences and Classic Favorites November 5, 2025 – January 19, 2026

SAN FRANCISCO (October 1, 2025)— The magic of the holiday season returns to the heart of San Francisco as Willy Bietak Productions proudly announces the 18th season of The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente. From Wednesday, November 5, 2025, through Monday, January 19, 2026, this cherished tradition will once again transform Union Square into an enchanting outdoor skating destination for locals and visitors from around the world.

The festive Opening Celebration on Wednesday, November 5, at 5 p.m. will launch the season with dazzling on-ice performances and special appearances, setting the stage for 11 weeks of unforgettable winter memories in San Francisco’s most iconic plaza.

“We are happy to have Willy Bietak Productions continue this beloved tradition for its 18th season,” said Marisa Rodriguez, chief executive officer of the Union Square Alliance. “The silent disco and the exciting Drag On Ice are just some of the attractions that go beyond skating. The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square brings the community together and helps create joyful holiday memories in the heart of San Francisco. We look forward to showcasing the festive activities and shopping experiences available in Union Square while ensuring that everyone enjoys a safe and fun environment during the holiday season.”

“This holiday ice skating rink has become a favorite annual tradition for families across the Bay Area, giving people of all ages a unique way to spend time together, while getting exercise underneath the lights of the city,” said Chris Boyd, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente’s Golden Gate service area. “Kaiser Permanente is proud to support this rink as we bring our community together in a healthy and engaging way.”

SIGNATURE EVENTS FOR THE 2025-2026 SEASON
This season brings back fan favorites while introducing fresh experiences:

OPENING CELEBRATION
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | 5–7 p.m.
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente will open with a festive evening ceremony to kick off the holiday ice skating season. Guests are invited to skate before and after the celebration, which will include on-ice performances and festivities. Additional special guests will include local dignitaries and celebrities, who will be invited to take to the ice alongside guests of all ages for the first official skate of the season. First (100) guests skate for free during the 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. sessions.

LEARN TO SKATE PRESENTED BY KAISER PERMANENTE
Saturdays & Sundays | 8–9 a.m.
Kaiser Permanente invites skaters with little to no experience to The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente to learn from professional skate instructors every weekend. Lessons are free (including skate rental) to those who sign up in advance. Space is limited to 50 participants per day. Reservations will be allotted through a lottery system online at unionsquareicerink.com.
November Learn to Skate dates: Registration open from Wednesday, October 1, 2025 until Sunday, October 19, 2025.
December & January Learn To Skate dates: Registration open from Friday, October 24, 2025 until Sunday, November 16, 2025.

FLASHBACK FRIDAYS PRESENTED BY CLASSIC HITS 103.7
November 21, December 26 & January 16 | 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. sessions
Get ready to rewind the clock and skate to the sounds of the 1980s! On the second Friday of each month, join us for Flashback Fridays—a totally tubular night of throwback jams, big hair, and even bigger energy. Classic Hits 103.7 will be live at the rink, spinning iconic tracks from legends like Madonna, Michael Jackson, Queen, Prince, Pat Benatar and more. Break out the neon, lace up those skates, and let’s party like it’s 1985. It’s going to be radical.

CLASSICAL SUNDAYS PRESENTED BY CLASSICAL CALIFORNIA KDFC 90.3 FM
Sundays I 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. sessions
Join us every Sunday for our Classical Sunday Skate Sessions! Glide gracefully on the rink as you immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of classical music, brought to you by Classical California KDFC 90.3 FM. Enjoy the beauty of skating to timeless melodies in a serene setting that elevates your experience.

DRAG ON ICE
Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 6:30–8 p.m. $35pp
Get ready for a night that shimmers, shines, and slays! The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente is proud to welcome back Drag on Ice—San Francisco’s most dazzling celebration of holiday spirit and self-expression. Experience the sparkle like never before as local drag superstars bring the glam to the ice with unforgettable performances full of sass, style, and seasonal magic. Whether you’re skating alongside the drag performers or cheering them on from the sidelines, this is one festive night you won’t want to miss.

SILENT SKATE. One Night. Three DJs. Endless Vibes.
Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. sessions. $35pp
The fan-favorite Silent Skate Party is back at The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente—for one night only! Get ready to glide, groove, and vibe at this one-of-a-kind silent disco on ice. Throw on a pair of wireless headphones, choose your channel, and skate to the beats of WiLD 94.9’s DJ Patrix, Star 101.3’s Magic Matt, or the Bay Area’s own DJ Von—each spinning live on-site with their signature sound. It’s an immersive on-ice dance party where you control the music and the moves. Lace up. Tune in. Let loose.

POLAR BEAR SKATE
Thursday, January 1, 2026 | 2:30–3:30 p.m. $30pp
Start the year with a splash of boldness at The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente! Inspired by the famous Canadian tradition, our New Year’s Day Polar Bear Skate invites skaters of all ages to hit the ice in their most outrageous swimwear on ice in the heart of Union Square! Break out your beachwear, bring the sunshine vibes, and skate into the new year in style. Prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed based on theme, creativity, and all-around fabulousness. It’s chilly, it’s cheeky, and it’s the coolest way to kick off 2026.

TICKETS AND INFORMATION
The rink operates daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (closing at 9:30 p.m. on December 31, 2025), with 60-minute sessions starting every 1.5 hours. Tickets are $22 for general admission and $17 for children 8 and under, including skate rental. Additional rentals available: lockers ($5), skate helpers ($6), gloves ($5), and socks ($5).

Private parties are available select Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 4–7 p.m. for groups up to 250 guests ($10,000). Blackout dates apply.

All tickets must be purchased in advance at www.unionsquareicerink.com. A portion of proceeds benefits the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.

The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Kaiser Permanente is supported by sponsors including Safeway, Kaiser Permanente, Hilton San Francisco Union Square, Parc 55 San Francisco, San Francisco Marriott Union Square, Galleria Park Hotel, Grand Hyatt San Francisco, Hotel Emblem, Union Square Alliance, John’s Grill, KTSF26, Classical California KDFC 90.3 FM, BART, SFMTA, STAR 101.3, 98.1 The Breeze, 106.1 KMEL, Classic Hits 103.7, WiLD 94.9, PRIDE Radio, NBC Bay Area, and Telemundo 48.

Connect with us using #unionsquarerink and follow on Facebook (Facebook.com/UnionSquareRink), Instagram (@UnionSquareRink), and TikTok (@unionsquarerink).

About Willy Bietak Productions Los Angeles-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.

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