Best Holiday Ice Skating Rinks in San Francisco (2026)
Union Square, the new Fisherman's Wharf rink and the Bay Area rinks worth the drive, with 2026–27 dates, prices and booking tips.
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If you only book one holiday skate in San Francisco, make it Union Square. The tree, the downtown lights and an hour on the ice add up to the classic city Christmas outing. This year there's a second reason to skate outdoors: San Francisco on Ice, a new rink at Fisherman's Wharf beside the SkyStar Wheel.
For a longer indoor skate, go to Yerba Buena; for a short, free holiday activity, Thrive City has a synthetic rink in December. Beyond the city, Winter Lodge in Palo Alto is the cozy evening, Walnut Creek has the ice slide and downtown, and Merry Meritage turns a Napa trip into a holiday outing.
Holiday Ice Skating in San Francisco at a Glance
| Rink | Area | 2026–27 season | Price with skates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Square Holiday Ice Rink | Union Square, SF | Nov 4–Jan 18 | $22; $17 ages 8 and under |
| San Francisco on Ice | Fisherman's Wharf, SF | Through Jan 18 | $19 value days; $23 standard |
| Yerba Buena Ice Arena | SoMa, SF (indoor) | Year-round | $23; $17 ages 6 and under |
| Thrive City Winter Wonderland | Mission Bay, SF (indoor, synthetic) | Selected days Dec 12–30 | Free; $5 suggested rental donation |
| San Mateo on Ice | San Mateo | Nov 19–Jan 10 | From about $25 |
| Winter Lodge | Palo Alto | Oct 16–Apr 11 | $28 |
| Cityline Winter Ice Rink | Sunnyvale | Nov 24–Jan 3 | $25 |
| Nazareth Ice Oasis | San Mateo (indoor) | Year-round | $22 |
| Walnut Creek on Ice | Walnut Creek (covered) | Nov 20–Jan 18 | $20 |
| Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink | San Ramon (canopy) | Nov 6–Jan 3 | $23; $16 selected weekdays |
| Ice at The Veranda | Concord | Nov 6–Feb 14 | $20 |
| 3Crosses Christmas Village | Castro Valley | Selected dates Nov 27–Jan 3 | $18; $15 ages 3–12 |
| Oakland Ice Center | Downtown Oakland (indoor) | Year-round | $27 |
| Merry Meritage Ice Rink | Napa | Nov 19–Jan 3 | From $20 |
| Snoopy's Home Ice | Santa Rosa (indoor) | Year-round | $18; $16 ages 11 and under (holiday sessions) |
Ice Skating in San Francisco
Two outdoor rinks, a full-size indoor arena and a free synthetic rink.
Union Square Holiday Ice Rink
333 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA
This is the San Francisco holiday skate: an hour on real ice in the middle of Union Square, with the tree and the lit-up department stores around you. Book an evening session if the scenery is the point, then walk to dinner. Details: Nov 4, 2026–Jan 18, 2027. $22, $17 ages 8 and under, skates included. 60-minute sessions. Bring your own skates for $5 back at check-in; special-event nights are priced separately. Powell Street BART is a short walk.
San Francisco on Ice
San Francisco, 2860 Taylor St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
The Wharf's new rink is the largest holiday rink in the city, set on the waterfront beside the SkyStar Wheel. Walk the Wharf first, then skate as it gets dark; non-skaters can pick up a free spectator pass. Details: Through Jan 18, 2027. $19 value days, $23 standard, skates included. 75-minute block with at least 60 minutes on the ice. Ages 4+; helmets aren't supplied. The wheel is a separate ticket.
Yerba Buena Ice Arena
750 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
The city's best indoor skate: a full-size rink with a tall glass wall looking out over Yerba Buena Gardens, plus bowling in the same building for non-skaters. Winterfest on Nov 28 makes skating free from 5:30–7 p.m., with $6 rentals. Details: Year-round public sessions. $17 admission + $6 rentals ($11 admission ages 6 and under). Book a public skate, not freestyle practice.
Thrive City Winter Wonderland
1725 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
A synthetic rink, not real ice, with short sessions: a fun, free add-on to the Winter Wonderland celebration next to Chase Center rather than a destination skate. Details: Dec 12–13, 17–20 and 26–30, 2026. Free with RSVP; $5 suggested rental donation. 20–30 minute sessions, first come, first served. Skating is in Suite 100, 7 Warriors Way. Hours vary by date.
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Peninsula and South Bay Ice Rinks
Longer sessions, easier parking and one rink you can reach by Caltrain. San Jose's Skate Under the Palms (formerly Downtown Ice) hasn't posted its 2026–27 season yet.
San Mateo on Ice
50 E 5th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA
An 11,000-square-foot real-ice rink in Central Park, with downtown San Mateo close enough for lunch or dinner. Longer sessions than most holiday pop-ups make it a better Peninsula plan than driving into the city. Details: Nov 19, 2026–Jan 10, 2027. From about $25, skates included. 90 minutes to 2 hours. Ages 4+. Open in light rain; no promised weather refunds.
Winter Lodge
3009 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA
The coziest skate in the Bay Area: an outdoor rink, a fireplace to warm up by and an unhurried evening. The holiday tree is up from about the week after Thanksgiving through the first weekend of January. Details: Oct 16, 2026–Apr 11, 2027. $20 + $8 rentals. Usually 2-hour sessions. Online tickets only, up to 30 days ahead; gloves required. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Cityline Winter Ice Rink
230 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, USA
The South Bay skate with an easy dinner plan: the rink sits in Redwood Square steps from Historic Murphy Avenue, and Sunnyvale Caltrain is within walking distance. Details: Nov 24, 2026–Jan 3, 2027. $25, skates included. 60-minute sessions. Ugly Sweater Night on Dec 23 at 7:30 and 9 p.m. Helpers $6, lockers $5.
Nazareth Ice Oasis
2202 Bridgepointe Pkwy, San Mateo, CA 94404, USA
The Peninsula's indoor fallback when weather or timing rules out an outdoor rink. No holiday scenery, but sessions are long and skates are included. A separate venue from San Mateo on Ice in Central Park. Details: Year-round. $22 with skates. Usually 105–120 minute sessions. Book "Public Skating Session Admission," not freestyle practice.
East Bay Ice Rinks
Rinks with an ice slide, fire pits, a Christmas village or shopping alongside the ice.
Walnut Creek on Ice
1365 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA
The most complete family outing on the list: a covered rink, a 90-foot ice slide and rinkside fire pits in Civic Park, with downtown Walnut Creek a short walk away. Details: Nov 20, 2026–Jan 18, 2027. $20 with rentals; slide and fire pits extra. Up to 90 minutes. Cashless. Walnut Creek BART is about 0.6 miles away. Littles Skate mornings for ages 5 and under on Dec 2, Dec 16 and Jan 13.
Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink
6000 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon, CA 94583, USA
Skate, then eat at City Center: that's the whole plan, and it's a good one. A new overhead canopy adds shelter this season, and 90-minute sessions give you time to settle in. Details: Nov 6, 2026–Jan 3, 2027. $23 standard; $16 Mondays, Tuesdays and the 1 and 3 p.m. sessions Wednesdays and Thursdays. Closed Nov 17, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cashless.
Ice at The Veranda
2001-2003 Diamond Blvd, Concord, CA 94520, USA
A shopping-center rink for a mixed group: skate at Fountain Pavilion Park, then stay for dinner, shopping or a movie. It runs through Valentine's Day, longer than most holiday rinks. Details: Nov 6, 2026–Feb 14, 2027. $20 with rentals. 75-minute sessions. Thursday theme nights, including Kids' Christmas on Dec 10. Closed Thanksgiving.
3Crosses Christmas Village
20600 John Dr, Castro Valley, CA 94546, USA
A full Christmas village on the 3Crosses Church campus, with lights, food trucks and train rides around the rink. Ideal when only some of the family wants to skate. Details: Selected dates Nov 27, 2026–Jan 3, 2027. $18 ages 13+, $15 ages 3–12, skates included. 45-minute sessions. Tickets on sale Nov 15; book ahead. Walkers $10.
Oakland Ice Center
519 18th St, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
The East Bay's indoor option when you want time on real ice and don't need holiday scenery. Details: Year-round. $18 admission + $9 rentals. Session times vary; check the public-skate calendar, since the rink also hosts hockey and figure-skating practice, and register ahead when asked.
Wine-Country Skating Day Trips
Two rinks worth the drive north for a full afternoon out.
Merry Meritage Ice Rink
875 Bordeaux Way, Napa, CA 94558, USA
The centerpiece of the Meritage Resort's holiday village, with lights, food and optional fireside cabins around the ice. The most grown-up skate on the list. Details: Nov 19, 2026–Jan 3, 2027. From $20, skates included. 90-minute sessions on the Village Lawn. Cabins, fire pits and meals are priced separately. Arrive 20 minutes early.
Snoopy's Home Ice
1667 W Steele Ln, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, USA
Charles Schulz's own rink, with an Alpine-village look and the Warm Puppy Cafe: a real indoor arena with holiday programming, and a good Peanuts-themed family day in any weather. Details: Year-round. Holiday/weekend sessions $18 ages 12+, $16 ages 11 and under, skates included; 2+ hours. Tickets sold in person from 30 minutes before each session. Toddlers on Ice (18 months–5 years) is $25 per child-and-adult pair.
Planning Your Skate: Holiday Dates and Tips
| Date | Rink | What's happening |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 26 (Thanksgiving) | Several | Winter Lodge, San Ramon and The Veranda are closed; Merry Meritage is open 2–10 p.m. |
| Nov 28 | Yerba Buena | Winterfest: free skating 5:30–7 p.m., $6 rentals |
| Dec 2, Dec 16, Jan 13 | Walnut Creek | Littles Skate, 10–11 a.m., ages 5 and under with a caregiver |
| Dec 3 | Union Square | Drag on Ice, 6:30–8 p.m., $35 |
| Dec 10 | Union Square | Silent Skate, 7 and 8:30 p.m., $35 |
| Dec 23 | Cityline | Ugly Sweater Night, 7:30 and 9 p.m. |
| Dec 24 (Christmas Eve) | Several | Winter Lodge is closed; no skating at Thrive City or 3Crosses |
| Dec 25 (Christmas Day) | Several | Union Square is open; Winter Lodge and San Ramon are closed; no skating at Thrive City or 3Crosses |
| Dec 31 (New Year's Eve) | Union Square | Closes at 9:30 p.m. |
| Jan 1 | Union Square | Polar Bear Skate, 2:30–3:30 p.m., $30; Winter Lodge closed; 3Crosses open |
Book first. Reserve a dated session before making dinner plans, and arrive 20–30 minutes early for waivers and skates.
Pack gloves and socks. Winter Lodge requires gloves, and the Wharf doesn't supply helmets, so bring one for young beginners.
Rain isn't always a refund. Outdoor rinks often stay open in light rain. For a sure thing, go indoors to Yerba Buena, Oakland, Nazareth or Snoopy's.
Keep the evening going. Pair your skate with a drink at one of San Francisco's coziest bars, a late bite from our San Francisco late-night food guide, or a first-date bar if it's that kind of skate. Planning around Thanksgiving weekend? Our San Francisco Thanksgiving dinner guide has the restaurants serving that day.
See the rest of the season. Our San Francisco Christmas lights guide covers the Union Square tree and the displays around it, and the Christmas bars guide has the pop-ups for afterward.
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