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!

The Holidays Are Here: Downtown On Ice Returns This Week

Another sure sign that the holidays are fast approaching: One of our favorite annual traditions, Pershing Square's Downtown on Ice, opens for the season on Thursday, November 15. A few weekends ago we watched as workers began constructing the ice rink (above); by this week it will look like the below pic. Head to the rink for the final session of the day (9pm to 10pm), when the crowds are smaller and the lights of the surrounding city skyscrapers (not to mention the twinkling Christmas lights) surround you in the nighttime sky. Then go grab a drink on the roof at nearby Perch. I dare you not to be in a festive mood after that.

A Very Los Angeles Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve hasn't been the same for us since the Blogger Kid was born on that day -- which means we have to cram in a birthday, last minute shopping, Christmas mass and the big extended family Christmas gathering, all in the same day. Whew. And yet, we've managed to pull it off and create some traditions along the way.

You probably know us well enough that several of our traditions revolve around L.A. and downtown. As we have the past few Christmas Eves, we hit the early 4 p.m. Children's Mass at the Taj Mahoney (a.k.a. the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels), before hopping across the street to catch the tail end of the free annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration (held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion). This year we even got extra ambitious and threw in an afternoon ice skate at Pershing Square's Downtown on Ice.

Ice skating under the sun in 80 degree weather? Yep, sounds like A Very Los Angeles Christmas Eve. Some highlights:


I hate to give away this secret, but the normally crowded Downtown on Ice attracts a smaller crowd on Christmas Eve -- giving the Blogger Kid and I more room to skate.


Zamboni clears the ice at Pershing Square.


This was the first Christmas that new Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez (who replaced Cardinal Roger Mahoney) presided over the archdiocese.


Christmas mass clears out at the Cathedral.


Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, decked out for the holidays. Like last year, the L.A. County Celebration (normally a much longer affair) was cut down to just three hours due to budget concerns. That actually benefits us, as we were able to get inside to see the last four acts.

(In case you're not familiar with the celebration, here are details from the PR team: "Each year since 1959 the Arts Commission has produced a free Holiday Celebration on December 24th on behalf of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Community and professional choirs, music ensembles, and dance companies representing the diverse cultures and holiday traditions of LA County perform in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Music Center while the program is broadcast live on KCET. More than 5,000 people attend the program each year and about a million Southern Californian households tune into the live broadcast.")


Dancers at the LA County Holiday Celebration.


The Gay Men's Chorus of LA cracks the crowd up with "Hanukkah in Santa Monica."


Lisa Haley and the Zydekats ended the show, including a N'awlins-style rendition of "Silent Night" (the traditional LA County Holiday Celebration closer).


View of City Hall, from the Music Center

Hard to believe that another holiday has already come and gone. We're getting old, people. Hope you and yours have a fantastic holiday season.

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).

"Miracle on 34th Street" Comes to the Million Dollar Theatre

This will get you into the holiday spirit quickly: A trip to downtown's Million Dollar Theatre, where this Sunday the L.A. Conservancy is screening the holiday classic "Miracle on 34th Street." Tix are $15, or $10 for Conservancy members. (Kids under 12 are $5).

The Conservancy suggests you make a day of it, and we agree:

Kick off the holiday season with the Conservancy's sixth annual holiday film matinee. On Sunday, December 4, we’ll present a 2 p.m. screening of Miracle on 34th Street (1947), starring Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, and a very precocious and skeptical nine-year-old Natalie Wood.

Bring family and friends, come early or stay late, do some holiday shopping, go ice-skating at Pershing Square, dine at some delicious downtown restaurants, and enjoy a special discount from nearby Grand Central Market!

Purchase tickets here.

FREE L.A.: Snoopy Ice Show in Pershing Square

Downtown on Ice

As we mentioned in the blog post below (and our flurry of posts over the years), we love the Downtown on Ice skating rink in Pershing Square. Next Tuesday, the rink goes extra kid-friendly as the cast of Knotts Berry Farm's "It's Christmas Snoopy" ice revue does a free show.

Here are some details:

With festive music and colorful costumes, the special “mini” showcase presentation features the famous skating beagle and his friends as they look for the true meaning of Christmas. “It’s Christmas, Snoopy!” premieres at Knott’s “Merry” Farm with performances at select times from November 24, 2011 through January 1, 2012.

Free to the public, the outdoor showcase is part of a community outreach program in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and Knott's Berry Farm. Immediately following the performance, Snoopy and friends will be available for a meet & greet with fans.

The free show takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. Then stay around to skate: Admission is just $6, plus $2 for skate rental.

Ten Years Ago: A Thanksgiving Eve Engagement

Yes, it was 10 years ago on the night before Thanksgiving that I dropped down and asked Maria to marry me... in the center of the ice rink at Pershing Square. In hindsite, a cheesy move. (My original plan was to find a historic theatre on Broadway and see about putting my proposal on the marquee. But hey, I was young!)

A few notes: No, despite my media whorish-ness, I didn't call the news media. I planned it out with the Pershing Square "Downtown on Ice" rink, and they called around -- managing to get both KNBC and KTLA out there! (I assume both stations were looking for quick, simple feel good news kickers the night before Thanksgiving, when things are pretty quiet.)

And also: I go to experience the laziness of local TV journalism first hand. No one ever came up to me to get any sort of information, so they just made things up. KTLA said Maria and I met at the rink -- not true. KNBC went a step further and called me an "L.A. Kings fan." Whaa? Because we were ice skating?

It didn't go off without a hitch. I had given the rink a CD of two songs to play. But when the rink cleared at 9, I waited for my musical cue. Nothing. I wrote about out engagement back in 2003:

Then it hit 9 p.m.--time for the rink to close for the evening. As they told everyone to clear the ice, I asked Maria if we could get our photo taken on the ice. So I gave my camera to one of the workers, and we went to the middle of the ice. And I waited for the music.

And waited.

The guy kept taking our picture and radioing to his bosses, "What's going on? Where's the music?"

He told us to go ahead and skate a few laps. I knew something was wrong, but Maria was just confused.

I made up something on the spot: "Oh, he probably just feels bad that all of those little kids were giving us trouble on the ice all night, and wanted you to skate a few rounds when no one was around." Whew, she bought it.

Finally, though, I couldn't wait for the music any longer. The cameras were on us. I took her back to the middle of the rink and dropped to one knee, while pulling out the ring.

The ring, sadly, is no longer with us. But that's a depressing story for another day.

Pershing Square's Downtown on Ice Returns Next Wednesday

It's back! One of our favorite L.A. holiday traditions, the Pershing Square "Downtown on Ice" outdoor skating rink, is back for its 14th season starting next Wednesday, November 17.

The rink is $6 for admission and another $2 for skate rental, and is open every day -- including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day -- throug January 16, 2012. More info:

A medley of FREE community events keep you in the holiday spirit with the Winter Holiday Festival (with Santa and his “live” reindeer, snow, and make & take crafts), the “12 Nights of Christmas” concert series, Menorah Lighting, Kwanzaa Celebration, “It’s Christmas, Snoopy” showcase, and more.

Centrally located in the heart of the City of Angels at the Pershing Square Metro stop, the rink is easily accessible by car, bus or Metro. A partnership with Metro and Montebello bus lines allows riders to receive a $1 discount on skating sessions. Underground parking is discounted with validation.

DOWNTOWN ON ICE (Pershing Square) 532 South Olive
General Schedule: November 17, 2011 – January 16, 2012
Monday – Thursday: 12:00p.m. to 10:00p.m.
Friday – Sunday: 10:00a.m. to 10:00p.m.
Extended Holiday Hours: December 19 - January 2 from 10:00a.m. to 10:00p.m. daily
Special hours: Noon to 10:00pm on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day and Martin Luther King day

Reminder: Downtown On Ice Closes This Monday

Don't forget, one of our favorite L.A. attractions, the annual Downtown on Ice outdoor skating rink in Pershing Square, closes after this holiday weekend.

As it comes to a close, Downtown on Ice continues to offer up a free concert series next to the rink. Here's the remaining schedule:

January 14 at 8:00pm: Candy O (Tribute to The Cars)
*January 16 at 2:00pm: Hank Deluxe & The Elbow Benders (Swing Salsa Blues)
*January 16 at 7:00pm: Escape (Tribute to Journey)
*January 17 at 12:00pm: Urban Dread

Downtown on Ice is open daily until 10 p.m. Skating is just $6 for a session and $2 for skate rental.

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.

Beating the Heat at Burbank's Pickwick Ice

With the temperatures pushing 100 degrees this weekend, we decided it was finally time to take the Blogger Kid to the ice rink at Pickwick Gardens in Burbank.

The Kid has enjoyed our holiday trips to the outdoor skating rink at Pershing Square, and got plenty of practice this past Christmas season at the fake ice rink at the zoo. But it's September, and the ice has got to stick indoors.

No problem. Pickwick Ice offers public skates on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Public skates are also available on weekday afternoons, and on Saturday nights from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.)

Adults are $7, while kids are $6 -- skate rentals are another $3.



We poorly planned our visit -- both Evan and I were wearing shorts, and didn't have jackets. No problem; we weren't the only ones. But we'll show up next time properly attired.

Besides our clothing snafu, the afternoon was a huge success. Blogger Kid started out the session holding my hand, but toward the end was skating around the rink on his own -- with me close by, of course. I can't believe it's taken us this long to head to the Pickwick Ice, but we'll definitely be back. The Pickwick Gardens also includes a bowling alley, among other attractions.



Pickwick Gardens
1001 Riverside Drive
Burbank, CA 91506
818 845 5300 ext. 173 for skate updates

Coming to Downtown This Holiday Season: Competing Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks

Oh, crass, crass AEG. I shoulda known they would yank their support for Pershing Square's Downtown on Ice once L.A. Live opened.

The Downtown News has confirmed that the L.A. Kings, which has sponsored the holiday tradition for 10 years, has yanked its support in order to sponsor a new outdoor rink at L.A. Live.

The good news is the city plans to continue with Pershing Square's Downtown on Ice (where Maria and I got engaged -- so yes, we're a bit sentimental about it) this summer, even without the Kings' support. More:

The Los Angeles Kings this year are dropping their sponsorship of the Downtown On Ice rink at Pershing Square after a decade-long partnership. Instead, the team will sponsor a new, temporary rink at L.A. Live, Kings Vice President of Communications Michael Altieri told Los Angeles Downtown News.

“We’ve had 10 great years, but we now have an opportunity with L.A. Live to establish what we feel will be a premier ice rink in the same vein as Rockefeller Center in New York,” said Altieri. “It’s such a great location.”

The new rink, he said, will be set up at Nokia Plaza, the open courtyard inside L.A. Live’s main entrance off Olympic Boulevard. The rink will open in late November and run into January, Altieri said, though he was not able to provide exact dates.

The Pershing Square rink will run from Nov. 19-Jan. 19 without the Kings, regardless of whether the Department of Recreation and Parks can find a replacement sponsor, said Pershing Square Facility Manager Ann Vollmer.

Losing the Kings’ sponsorship will cost the city approximately $100,000, said L.A. Parks Foundation Executive Director Judith Kieffer, who is working on finding a corporate sponsor for the rink.

Still, the lunchtime and evening concerts that have livened up Downtown On Ice in previous years will go on this year, Vollmer said.

To me, there's not even a contest. Skating at night under the lights of the city skyscrapers at Downtown on Ice easily beats skating under a giant "NOKIA" sign and ads at L.A. Live.