Union Square Ice Rink Announces Events for Holiday Season

Below are the fun-filled events scheduled at the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square, open for the holiday season November 9 - January 16. Nestled among the vibrant lights of the city's most popular shopping destination, the ice rink in Union Square is the premier location for outdoor holiday skating. Throughout the ice rink season a portion of ticket proceeds benefit Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco and the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.

Opening Ceremony | November 9 | 9:30 - 10 a.m.
To kick-off the new ice rink season, "The Ghost of Christmas Present," from American Conservatory Theater's A CHRISTMAS CAROL, will emcee the opening ceremony at the ice rink. Open to the public, the first 20 attendees to arrive for the ceremony will receive two free passes to A Christmas Carol. Internationally renowned Irish tenor Michael Londra - star of Celtic Yuletide at the Marines' Memorial Theatre - will also be on-hand to perform his hit single "Beyond the Star."

Macy's Great Tree Lighting feat. Johnny Weir | November 25 | 6 p.m.
Join in the annual tradition of Macy's Great Tree Lighting ceremony. Special guests include Olympian Johnny Weir and a visit from Santa. In addition to the tree lighting, enjoy live music and dance performances.

Speed Dating Skating | December 1 | 8 - 9:30 p.m.
Nothing breaks the ice faster than skating at the rink in Union Square. Intended to be a silly riff on speed dating, Speed Dating Skating will get the conversation started between singles by encouraging guests to wear their most unusual holiday-inspired sweater. To sweeten the deal for attendees, mistletoe headbands will be free for the first 100 guests. Emporio Rulli Il Caffe - located on the square and next to the ice rink - will sell beer and wine.

Drag Queens on Ice | December 8 | 8 - 9:30 p.m.
Move over, Santa. A legion of the Bay Area's most colorful drag personalities will be headed to Union Square to share in the holiday spirit with local and visiting skaters at Drag Queens on Ice! Families, friends and fans are encouraged to don their wigs and skate alongside popular drag performers during an exciting night of skating at the rink. At the end of the session (9:30 p.m.) there will be two drag performances (TBD). Emporio Rulli Il Caffe - located on the square and next to the ice rink - will sell beer and wine.

The ice rink opens November 9 and runs through January 16, and will be open daily from 10 a.m. - 11:30 p.m., with the exception of closing at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, December 31, 2011.

Regular admission tickets are $10 and tickets for children eight years old and under are $6. Ice skate and hockey skate rentals are $5. Starting November 9, 2011 tickets will be available at the ice rink ticket window in Union Square. Group rates and private parties are also available. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.unionsquareicerink.com/tickets.

Attendees can memorialize the occasion by using the ice rink photo booth ($2) where photos are printed on the spot and a digital version can be sent to a single email address.

Safeway Holiday Ice Rink sponsors include Safeway, Macy's, Kaiser Permanente, Lego, JW Marriott, Westin St. Francis, Chancellor Hotel, Galleria Park Hotel, American Conservatory Theater, Marines' Memorial Theatre, Union Square Business Improvement District, NBC Bay Area, Telemundo, STAR 101.3, 98.1 KISS FM, 106.1 KMEL, 103.7 Oldies, Wild 94.9 and KGO Radio.

Since 2007, the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink has delighted children and adults with a holiday-themed ice park located in San Francisco's Union Square. Ticket prices are $10 for regular admission and $6 for children eight years old and under. Ice skate and hockey skate rentals are $5. Ice rink hours are from 10 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. daily. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco and the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. For tickets or more information, please visit www.unionsquareicerink.com or call 415-781-2688.

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 www.bietakproductions.com.