Delighting families, couples and ice skating enthusiasts for over 25 years, the Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center presented by Hawaiian Airlines opens each winter for nine magical, fun-filled weeks.
Holiday Lights
Published: November, 2015
PIER 39
PIER 39 invites you to join some special friends from the Disneyland Resort at the annual PIER 39 Tree Lighting Celebration on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22. They’re bringing a little bit of holiday cheer from the Happiest Place on Earth, where the 60th Diamond Celebration is making the holidays more dazzling than ever! Experience the magic, sing songs, give hugs to the Disneyland friends and welcome the holiday season with two days of holly-jolly magic and merriment for the whole family. The fun culminates at 6 p.m. each night as PIER 39’s majestic 60-foot tree, adorned with glistening ornaments, bows and twinkling lights, will be illuminated against a stunning backdrop of the San Francisco city skyline. Catch the spirit of the season at PIER 39. Visit pier39.com for details.
Embarcadero Center
Embarcadero Center is brightening the holidays this year with the 29th Annual Building Lighting Ceremony & Carnival on Friday, November 20. A perfect event to share with the family, the carnival will kick off at 4 p.m. with a host of fun activities for the kids including carnival games, face painting, a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, interactive arts and crafts booths, balloon twisters, musical performances, a very special appearance by Mickey Mouse and more. At 6 p.m., gather around the Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center for live ice skating and musical performances, followed by a sneak peek performance from Disney on Ice presents Frozen. Then tilt your head to the sky for a dazzling fireworks spectacular designed to complement the highlight of the evening — the initial lighting of Embarcadero Center’s office towers, with a dramatic illumination of San Francisco’s skyline, featuring 17,000 lights throughout the holiday season.
Macy’s at Union Square
In the San Francisco holiday tradition, Macy’s once again presents its gift to the city—a beautiful, reusable 83-foot tree decorated with more than 33,000 twinkling energy-efficient LED lights and 1,100 shining ornaments—during the 26th Annual Great Tree Lighting Ceremony in Union Square on Friday, November 27 at 6 p.m. Enjoy live music, dance performances and very special appearances while waiting for that enchanting moment when Union Square’s holiday tree is illuminated. This year, singer, songwriter and actress Jordin Sparks will be headlining the festivities.
Yountville’s Annual Festival of Lights
The Friday after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday—but it is anything but “dark” in Yountville. On this day, the people of Yountville kick off the holiday season by transforming their town into a magical winter wonderland using thousands of tiny, energy-efficient twinkling lights. Celebrating its 27th year, Yountville’s Festival of Lights invites friends, families and visitors to play hooky from the shopping mall and gather in one of the world’s most popular destinations for a feel-good family event to kick off the holiday season. Presales of tasting bracelets for the popular celebration are available now at the Yountville Welcome Center at 6484 Washington Street, online at yountville.com/events or by calling the Yountville Chamber at (707) 944-0904. The holiday celebration is Friday, November 28, 2-6 p.m.
Skating Away
Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center
Delighting families, couples and ice skating enthusiasts for over 25 years, the Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center presented by Hawaiian Airlines opens each winter for nine magical, fun-filled weeks. Get ready to skate under the sun and stars along the beautiful waterfront at the largest outdoor rink in San Francisco. This year’s skating kicks off on November 4 and continues through January 3. The rink is located just steps from the Ferry Building and the California Street cable car line. The ring of the bells and the lights of the Embarcadero make skating at the Embarcadero Center an “only in San Francisco” experience. Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 11:30 on Friday and Saturday. Admission is $11 for adults and $6 for children seven and under with skate rentals for $5. Tickets can be purchased online at embarcaderocenter.com or call (415) 837-1931 for more information.
Safeway Holiday Ice Rink
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square is a San Francisco holiday tradition that will kick off the ice skating season on November 4 with a lineup of jubilant and festive activities for all ages. The ice rink will remain open through Monday, January 18. The ice rink in Union Square is the premier location for outdoor ice skating amongst the vibrant lights and popular shopping destinations in San Francisco. The ice rink will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., with the exception of closing at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 31. Ticket prices for regular admission are $11 and $7 for children eight and under. Figure skate and hockey skate rentals are $6. Tickets will be available at the ice rink ticket window in Union Square Park, or you can buy advance tickets at www.unionsquareicerink.com. Group rates and private parties are also available.
Yerba Buena Ice Skating
Located in an urban rooftop garden at Yerba Buena Garden, the view of the City from the rink’s wall of windows can only be described as dazzling. The ice rink is open for public skating daily and skating lessons as well as private events and parties. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for children/seniors (6-12 or 55+) and $7 for toddlers five and under with skate rentals for $4. Visit www.skatebowl.com for more information.
Anti-Whaling Activist Visits Vallejo
Marine conservationist, world record holder, television producer and author Pete Bethune is coming to Vallejo’s Cal Maritime on Friday, November 13. Bethune works with governments in developing sound marine conservation policy and legislation. In 2010, his 18-ton powerboat was rammed by an 800-ton whaler while he was working to try to stop the Japanese whaling fleet. His subsequent arrest, five months in a Japanese maximum-security prison, and trial in Tokyo became one of the most infamous anti-whaling events in history. Demonstrations while he languished in prison convinced the Australian Government to take Japan to the International Court of Justice, and four years later the court effectively banned Japan’s whaling program. Bethune will speak in Rizza Auditorium at 6 p.m. and a reception will be held at 5 p.m. Admission is free. Both the event and the reception are open to the public. For directions or parking information, visit www.csum.edu/map.
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