A Downtown Tradition: Pershing Square's Holiday Ice Rink Adds More Events

Long-time readers of this site know how much we look forward to the downtown ice skating rink in Pershing Square. It's where I proposed to Maria many years ago, and where the Blogger Kids now enjoy learning to skate as well. Now in its 21st year, the rink once known as "Downtown on Ice" now goes by the "Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square" moniker -- but it otherwise looks exactly like it did all those years ago.

The organizers note that at 7,200 square feet, it is the city’s largest outdoor rink. Here are a few events coming to the Holiday Ice Rink this year:

Every Wednesday throughout the ice rink season will be dedicated to Wicked and named Wicked Wednesdays. Ice rink lights will be predominantly green and every third song played will be from Wicked cast album during the 7pm, 8:30pm and 10pm (if applicable) sessions.

Special Bai Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square events include DJ Spotlight every Thursday with DJ Howly (except Thanksgiving); Learn to Curl (November 17, December 15 and January 12); and Silent Skate Party (November 28 and December 19).

Two Pershing Square events will also take place during this season – Winter Tramp/Gay Proud (December 1) and Winter Holiday Festival (December 8-9).

When we visited on Sunday morning, the crowd was light -- perfect time to hit the ice. I usually prefer going at night, however, as there's something magical about skating under the illuminated skyscrapers, and with twinkling Christmas lights all around.

The Blogger Kids not only look forward to the skating, but they thrill at the free bottles of beverages from rink sponsor Bai.

Each session is an hour. Here are the current times:

Thursday, November 15 – Saturday, December 15
11:30AM – 9:30PM Monday through Thursday
11:30AM – 11:00PM Friday
10:00AM – 11:00PM Saturday
10:00AM – 9:30PM Sunday

Sunday, December 16 – Sunday, December 30
10:00AM – 11:00PM Daily

Monday, December 24
10:00AM – 8:00PM

Tuesday, December 25
11:30AM – 9:30PM

Monday, December 31
10:00AM – 11:00PM

Tuesday, January 1
10:00AM – 11:00PM

Wednesday, January 2 – Monday, January 21
11:30AM – 9:30PM Monday through Thursday
11:30AM – 11:00PM Friday
10:00AM – 11:00PM Saturday
10:00AM – 9:30PM Sunday

General admission is $9, while skate rental is $5. There are also little penguin skate helpers, for the kids, at another $6.

While in Pershing Square, take a photo next to the large tree...

... or under the unusual murals, like The Beatles wishing you a Happy Christmas.

And then, of course, to stay in the festive mood, cross the street and visit the Biltmore Hotel, which is also decked out for the holidays. Ho ho ho!

L.A. Plays New York: 'Mad Men,' Week Two

In this week's episode of "Mad Men," zaftig Betty Francis (ex-Draper) runs into an acquaintance at the doctor (where she's being screen for cancer). The two wind up having lunch -- in a scene shot at downtown L.A.'s Biltmore Hotel.

FREE L.A.: Pershing Square's Winter Festival This Saturday

I still find that downtown, particularly around Pershing Square and the Biltmore Hotel, gets me in the holiday spirit this time of year. And if you've got the kids in tow, there's no better time than this Saturday to head down, for the free annual Winter Holiday Festival.

The event, 11:00am to 7:00pm, takes place at Pershing Square and includes a visit from Santa: "Pershing Square is transformed into a winter wonderland with free holiday activities like tons of snow, a train ride, make & take children’s crafts, puppet shows, community youth performances, memento photos, and more. Santa’s emporium features stocking stuffers and tasty holiday treats for purchase."

While you're down there, make sure to spend some time at the Biltmore and Grand Central Market, which is also decorated for the season. And, of course, there's the outdoor skating at Downtown on Ice ($6 for skating and $2 for skate rentals).

Christmas in Los Angeles: Our Traditions

No snow? No problem. We'll be dreaming of a White Christmas for a long time to come here in L.A., but it doesn't matter: There are plenty of places to find Christmas in L.A., and we try to make the most of it every year.

The snow is here, of course -- but safely ensconced above 7,000 feet. Back down here, the weather cooperated -- making for a sunny, mild Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. (The rain returned for a visit on Christmas night, but we were cozily cooped up back at home by then.)

Christmas Eve in Downtown L.A. has become an annual tradition for us, starting with the 4 p.m. family mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Yes, the "Taj Mahony," decked out for Christmas, offers up a Christmas Eve mass that's perfect for the little ones: Not too long, and with a homily, music and prayers geared toward the little ones.

After mass, it's a quick walk across the street to the Music Center, to catch the 51st Annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration. The annual free event, featuring choirs, dancers, bands and more, is one of L.A.'s great Christmas staples.

This year's event was cut by half (from six hours to three) due to budget cuts. That turned out to be serendipitous for us. Last year, the line was too long for us to try to get inside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to catch the show.

But this year, we got to the Music Center at 5:30 -- and with the show about to end, the standby line was minimal. We managed to get inside in time to see the two final acts: the Palmdale High School Choral Union and Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, which closed the show. After that, the crowd sang along to "Silent Night," and then we were back in the Music Center plaza.

On Christmas day, we were back downtown for one of our favorite L.A. holiday attractions: Downtown on Ice in Pershing Square. The ice rink was crowded, yet not too bad. It was kind of nice to be there with a cross section of Los Angeles, all skating under the shadow of downtown's skyscrapers at dusk.

After our hour-long ice skating session, we dashed across the street to check out the Biltmore hotel, dressed up for the season.

Pics from our Christmas in Los Angeles:


Cathedral entrance.


Art exhibit at the cathedral.


Exiting the cathedral.


Cardinal Mahony's final Christmas before his February retirement.


Nativity scene at the Our Lady Queen of the Angels cathedral.


Outside the Music Center and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion as the L.A. County Holiday Celebration winds down.


It's a real-life 'Glee': Palmdale High School Choral Union performs at the L.A. County Holiday Celebration.


At the L.A. County Holiday Celebration; final act, Mariachi Sol de Mexico (led by Jose Hernandez), above.


Inside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.


Christmas tree at the Music Center.


Ice skating at Pershing Square's Downtown on Ice.


More ice skating at Downtown on Ice.


Biltmore lobby Christmas tree.


Blogger Kid (newly 6!) and Blogger Baby 2.0 stroll down the Biltmore's main corridor.


Gingerbread houses at the Biltmore.


Staircase at the Biltmore.

Celebrate the Holidays this Weekend in Downtown

Anyone who tells you the holidays don't feel as real in Los Angeles hasn't visited downtown this time of year.

This weekend, downtown's Pershing Square and Grand Central Market are celebrating the holidays with two very kid-friendly events. I recommend hitting them both on Saturday to get in the mood.



First up, the Grand Central Market's "Christmas for the Kids" Event takes place this Saturday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Not only is the market decked out for the holidays, but free pictures with Santa will be taken. Go grab a tamale at one of the stands.



Then, head over to Pershing Square for its annual Winter Holiday Festival.

The event takes place on Saturday, Dec. 11 and 12, from noon to 6 p.m. Details:

The second weekend in December Downtown On Ice present the Winter Holiday Festival a free fun weekend including a Snow Fun Zone, Make & Take Holiday Crafts, a Holiday Ornament Grove, and Free Entertainment.

Food is available for purchase on site. Secured validated parking with skate receipt is available in the Pershing Square underground garage or take the Metro Red Line to the 5th Street Pershing Square stop for quick no traffic travel.

Of course, while there, you should also ice skate at Downtown on Ice.



Plus, across from Pershing Square, the Biltmore Hotel is always dressed up for the holidays as well.

Downtown With the Holidays

It was quite easy to get into the holiday spirit this Saturday in Downtown L.A. After parking at the Central Library -- one of the best deals in downtown, just $1 ALL DAY with Library validation (just flash your City of L.A. library card -- you do have one, right?!) -- we walked down to the Biltmore Hotel, where we took in the Christmas tree in the lobby, Blogger Toddler was mesmerized by the life-sized gingerbread house (including free cookies) and we took pics of the beautiful old hotel decorated for season.



From there, we hit the Winter Holiday Festival in Pershing Square, where Maria and I took turns sliding down a hill of snow with Evan (who also got a chance to throw a snowball or two -- under the hot sun, no less!). The festival also included free family photos in front of a holiday backdrop; a Christmas tree decorating contest; and even a free sprig of mistletoe. We decided to skip the puppet show, in order to then head to...



Grand Central Market. Where another holiday festival included treats for the kids, and a visit with Santa. Blogger Toddler had fallen asleep; as a result, we took a rather sad pic with Santa featuring a sleeping Evan. When the BT woke up, we stood in line for a do-over. Santa was game, and the Blogger Toddler asked him once again for the same thing: He wants a shopping cart this Christmas.

More pics from our holiday Saturday in Downtown L.A.:


Snow in Los Angeles


Free mistletoe


Tree decorating contest


Puppets


Grand Central Market


Santa Claus


Life-size Gingerbread house at the Biltmore

Speaking of downtown, Darleene suggested a Blog-LA-Sphere outing at the Pershing Square ice rink... is there interest out there? UPDATE: Looks like Blogdowntown beat us to it! Bloggers on Ice takes place on Dec. 17.