The holiday magic starts in the imagination, and the Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink at City Center Bishop Ranch is leaning into the fantasies this season.
The tree-lighting ceremony on Friday set the scene for magical moments at the rink, where Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi will be hosting several events. Yamaguchi, who grew up in Fremont and graduated from Mission San Jose High School, became the first Asian-American woman to win a gold medal in figure skating at the 1992 Olympics. (She met her future husband, ice hockey player Bret Hedican, there too.)
To celebrate her achievement, Mattel introduced the Kristi Yamaguchi Barbie, which will be signed and distributed to everybody who purchases a ticket ($75) for the ice skating event on Dec. 7 at 9 a.m.
She’ll also be hosting a skating clinic ($50) at 9 a.m. Dec. 23 to teach children basic techniques. A portion of the proceeds will benefit her Always Dream foundation, dedicated to providing books to low-income families. In five years, the rink has raised $160,000 for the foundation.
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 22: Kristi Yamaguchi, born in Hayward and currently lives in Alamo, skates at the opening of Downtown Ice in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
On other nights at the rink, Elsa from “Frozen” and the Grinch from “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” will make appearances, while music from the movies plays over the speakers. There will also be a K-Pop night, Sabrina Carpenter night and Taylor Swift night. The best ugly sweater will win a restaurant gift card one night.
Feel the season with holiday beers from Fieldwork Brewing Company or cheerful cocktails from Social Affair. Warm up afterwards with coffee and hot chocolate from Philz or Starbucks. There will also be holiday pop-up stores selling educational toys and streetwear.
And don’t miss a visit with Santa, who will be posing for photos and giving out gifts beginning on Black Friday and happening every weekend from 12 to 4 p.m. and select Fridays at 5 p.m. at the ice rink.
Details: Open through Jan. 5 at 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon; citycenterbishopranch.com.
At Palo Alto’s Winter Lodge, staff members are prepared to transition the space into a winter wonderland from its current autumnal decor immediately after Thanksgiving. Among the decorations is a large lit Christmas tree in the middle of the rink. (Courtesy Winter Lodge)
Winter Lodge in Palo Alto
Outdoor ice rinks abound during the holidays, but Palo Alto’s Winter Lodge — the Peninsula’s go-to ice skating destination since it opened in 1956 — is the only year-round outdoor rink west of the Sierra Nevada.
Details: Open skate sessions are by reservation at 3009 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto; winterlodge.com.
Enchant Christmas at PayPal Park
Skating in a circle is cool; skating down a magical winter wonderland path lined with sparkling lights and Christmas decorations is arguably even cooler. Enchant Christmas is back at PayPal Park for a third year.
Details: Open Nov. 22 through Dec. 29 at PayPal Park located at 1123 Coleman Avenue in San Jose; EnchantChristmas.com.
Union Square Holiday Ice Rink
Skaters enjoy the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink Union Square (Courtesy Prismatic Communications)
The 17th annual holiday celebration at Union Square will once again feature a festive ice rink to celebrate events such as Drag Queens on Ice (Dec. 5) and ‘80s-themed Friday night celebrations (Dec. 12 and Jan. 1).
Details: Open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily through Jan. 20 at 333 Post Street in San Francisco; unionsquareicerink.com.
Merry Meritage Resort Holiday Ice Rink
It’ll be snowing in Napa this winter as the Napa Valley compound creates its own flurries for folks skating in the largest outdoor ice skating rink in wine country.
Details: Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, Nov. 18 through Jan. 11, at 875 Bordeaux Way in Napa; meritageresort.com.
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Santa Rosa Skating on the Square
Right in the middle of the Winter Lights festival, this fully synthetic ice rink requires no energy or water to maintain, while allowing a smooth surface perfect for beginners.
Details: Nov. 30 through Dec. 29 at Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa; downtownsantarosa.org.
Ice at the Veranda
Running through Valentine’s Day, Ice at the Veranda provides an outdoor rink in the middle of the courtyard in front of the Veranda Luxe Cinema.
Details: Open through Feb. 14 at 2035 Diamond Boulevard in Concord; shoptheveranda.com.
Walnut Creek on Ice
Skaters take a spin on the ice at Walnut Creek On Ice at Civic Park in Walnut Creek, Calif. on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. Walnut Creek On Ice is celebrating it’s 13th season. The ice rink is opened from Nov. 10th to Jan. 15th. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
The seasonal outdoor rink offers cozy rink-side fire pits for rent during your skating session and ice slide tubing. Special events scheduled include pick-up hockey games, a cafe and more.
Details: Open Nov. 22 through Jan. 12 at Civic Park on 1365 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek; walnutcreekonice.com.
San Mateo on Ice
An outdoor pop-up rink offers free community skate days on Nov. 18, Dec. 10 and 17. Tent for parties available to rent.
Details: Open through Jan. 12 at Central Park on 50 E. Fifth Ave. in San Mateo; onicerinks.com.
Downtown Ice in San Jose
Skaters, including Tiffani Van Goethen from Truckee, take a turn on the Downtown Ice rink in downtown San Jose in 2023. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Smack in the middle of Circle of Palms Plaza, between the San Jose Museum of Art and Signia by Hilton Hotel, Downtown Ice is back for its 31st holiday season.
Details: Open Nov. 21 through Jan. 15 at 120 S. Market St. in San Jose; sjdowntownice.com.
WinterFest at Great America
WinterFest runs Nov. 29-Dec. 31 at California’s Great Americain Santa Clara. (California’s Great America).
California’s Great America is transforming into the North Pole this winter, as the park celebrates its WinterFest with live entertainment, more than 60 rides, millions of holidays lights, cookie-baking classes at Mrs. Claus’ kitchen and ice skating at Snow Flake Lake.
Details: Open from Nov. 29 through Jan. 5 at California’s Great America, 4701 Great America Parkway in Santa Clara cagreatamerica.com.