Safeway Holiday Ice Rink Returns to Union Square Today

The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West, a San Francisco holiday tradition, will kick off the ice skating season today, November 5, 2014 with a lineup of jubilant and festive activities for all ages. The ice rink will remain open through Monday, January 19, 2015.

The ice rink in Union Square, which the "TODAY" show calls one of the "Best Ice Skating Rinks in the U.S.," is the premier location for outdoor ice skating amongst the vibrant lights and popular shopping destinations in San Francisco. A portion of this year's proceeds benefit the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.

Advance tickets go on sale on Monday, October 13 at www.unionsquareicerink.com. Starting today, November 5, 2014 tickets will be available at the ice rink ticket window in Union Square Park. Group rates and private parties are also available at www.unionsquareicerink.com/private-parties.

"Union Square is the heart of San Francisco, and we are thrilled to return for another great year of ice skating, holiday festivities, and exciting new events," says Willy Bietak, Safeway Holiday Ice Rink producer and president of Willy Bietak Productions. "The Ice Rink is a part of the very fabric of the City, and it's the perfect place for families, couples and friends to make lasting memories and truly enjoy this holiday season."

The ice rink will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., with the exception of closing at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2014. Ticket prices for regular admission are $11 and $7 for children eight years old and under. Figure skate and hockey skate rentals are $6.

New Kaiser Permanente Skate-o-meter Feature in Mobile App for 2014-2015: New for the 2014-2015 season at the rink, the Kaiser Permanente Skate-o-meter will allow skaters at the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West to track their calories burned while skating. The Skate-o-meter will be a feature included in the ice rink mobile app available Saturday, November 1, 2014 through iTunes and GooglePlay App Stores.

Special Events This Season:

The ice rink will host a variety of exciting events perfect for enjoying the holiday season.

Icebreaker: Opening Ceremony | Today, November 5, 2014 | 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West will open with a special ceremony to "break the ice" and kick off the holiday ice skating season with a special performance by the SMUIN Ballet and The San Francisco Tremors Ensemble from the Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center. #unionsquarerink

Bank of the West Wednesdays | Today, November 5, December 3, and January 7, 2014 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m

Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West is excited to announce that the first Wednesday of each month this holiday season at the rink will be known as "Bank of the West Wednesdays", and will include free skate rentals to all patrons plus free admission to all Bank of the West customers. #skatewest

Single in the City: A Single's Event | Thursday, December 4, 2014 | 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West is celebrating being single in the city with an ice skating event for local singles! Grab your single friends and head down to the ice rink for a single's night mixer! #singleinthecitySF

Drag Queens on Ice: Glitz and Glamour | Thursday, December 11, 2014 | 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

The fierce and fabulous drag queens of the Bay Area are returning to the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West for an event that is full of "Glitz and Glamour!" The wildly exciting drag performers are sure to shine in a night full of lip-syncing and lipstick that is guaranteed to make audiences of all ages laugh and dance with #dragqueensonice

Polar Bear Skate: The San Francisco Edition | Tuesday, January 1, 2015 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West is excited to bring back the San Francisco take on the popular Canadian tradition. In this version, however, ice skaters are encouraged to put on their bathing suit, grab their shades and come to the ice rink to "take the plunge." Skaters of all ages are invited to dress for the beach and join this fun and exciting New Year's Day Union Square tradition. #polarbearskate

For more information, follow on Facebook: Facebook.com /UnionSquareRink, Twitter: @UnionSquareRink and Instagram: @UnionSquareRink.

About the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West - Since 2007, the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Bank of the West has delighted children and adults with a holiday-themed ice park located in San Francisco's Union Square. Ticket prices are $11 for regular admission and $7 for children eight years old and under. Figure skate and hockey skate rentals are $6. Ice rink hours are from 10 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. daily. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. For tickets or more information, visit www.unionsquareicerink.com or call 415-781-2688.

About Willy Bietak Productions - 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, visit www.bietakproductions.com.