Skate Through The Season: Holiday Ice Rinks In SF Bay Area 2017

BAY AREA, CA – Jack Frost doesn't visit Northern California often, and deep freezes are rare, to be sure, but that won't stop locals from reveling in nearby winter wonderlands with charming outdoor ice extravaganzas.

Load up the family, plan a date night and enjoy these once-a-year, pop-up rinks! And Happy Holidays, from Patch.

-------------------

ALAMEDA

Through JAN. 15: 'Little Ice Rink' - South Shore Center. Dubbed as "4,100 square feet of ice skating bliss," this rink offers "Bobby" the seal and "Tommy" the reindeer "skating aids" for novices. San Jose Sharks "Sharkie" will skate by on Dec. 3 and Jan. 7. Don't miss that!

CAPITOLA:

Through JAN. 7: Seaside Ice Skating: Esplanade Park. This eco-friendly synthetic ice rink offers a stunning holiday setting overlooking Capitola Beach.

GILROY:

Through DEC. 31: Gilroy Gardens 'Holiday@Night' with Ice Skating, Santa, Train Rides. A glittery, festive event well worth a drive with twinkly lights, Christmas shows, delicious dinners and more!

MARTINEZ:

Through JAN 7: Downtown Holiday Ice Skating. Quintessential, small-town perfection with nearby shopping, dining, art and theater. Also a super spot to host a birthday party or private event.

NAPA VALLEY:

Through JAN. 7: Outdoor Holiday Ice Skating Rink. A massive rink with 6,300 square feet of real ice in Wine Country, with a free community skate day on Dec. 13, courtesy of Western Health Advantage. Military, police and fire offered discounts.

PALO ALTO

Through April 15: Outdoor Ice Skating: Winter Lodge. "A family tradition since 1956."

SAN FRANCISCO:

DAILY through Jan. 7: Holiday Ice Rink: Embarcadero Center. An SF holiday icon after three decades, the rink near the historic Ferry Building is a not-to-be-missed tradition. On Dec. 2, take advantage of Free Skating with Cool Effect.

DAILY through JAN. 15: Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square. A festive destination in the heart of the City by the Bay, the rink offers on Saturdays and Sundays Free 'Learn To Skate' classes. And don't miss such themed skate events as Drag Queens on Ice, Flashback Fridays and Polar Bear Skate.

SAN JOSE:

Through JAN. 15: 'Downtown Ice' Outdoor Holiday Rink. Possibly the most gorgeous setting ever under the illuminated Circle of Palms.

SAN MATEO:

Through JAN 15: Holiday Outdoor Ice Skating. Ice skate in the sunshine and under the stars at what's billed as the "Bay Area's Largest Outdoor Ice Skating Rink." Private tent areas also available for booking.

SAN RAFAEL:

Through JAN. 7: 'Marin On Ice' Holiday Outdoor Skating. Take advantage of this holiday fun. Dec. 6 is Ladies Night; Dec. 13 is Black Light Night; and Dec. 20 is Couples Night. Enjoy!

SANTA CRUZ:

Through JAN. 7: Holiday Ice Skating at Beach Boardwalk. California at its best set amid the Beach Boardwalk, arcade, rides and sand. As a bonus, such classic holiday movies as "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "Frosty the Snowman" screen at neighboring Neptune's Stage. (P.S. Don't miss the egg nog taffy!)

WALNUT CREEK:

Through JAN. 15: Outdoor Ice Skating. A community tradition, this rink hosts family skate nights on Tuesdays, plus a "Frosty & Friends" event with princesses and furry critters. "Glider rentals" for the little ones.

---------------------

ALSO FROM THE PATCH HOLIDAY FILES:

• Holiday Tree Lightings, Parades & Ice Rinks: SF Bay Area 2017

• Holiday Bazaars, Boutiques & Craft Shows 2017: SF Bay Area

--------------------
KNOW OF ANOTHER ICE SKATING RINK OR HOLIDAY EVENT? Tell us in the comments, or self-post to the Patch calendar or Bulletin Board.Posting an event is as simple as 1, 2, 3. Here's how to do it:

1. Create a Patch account and sign up to post your own local content on Patch, totally free. It's probably the easiest thing you'll do all day.
2. Make a Calendar Event and fill it with all the awesome info that people need to add it to their list of things to do in their neighborhood. Choose a fun image to upload and most importantly - have fun with it! It's your event, and the possibilities are endless.
3. Post it on Patch! That's it. Get ready for RSVPs.

You can share your event for free to three Patches, or if you really want to get the community's attention, you can pay $20 to feature your event. When an event is featured, it receives priority placement on the local calendar as well as on the homepage, article pages and in the daily newsletter (if available) the week before the event.
-----------
--Image via Pixabay via mohamed1982eg