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!

It's Warm Here, But Winter Remains in New York at the Rockefeller Ice Rink

It may be 90 degrees here in Los Angeles, but over in New York, it's still full-on winter. Back there last week for meetings, I made a return trip to The Rink at Rockefeller Center, a tradition that remains in full swing through April.

As a matter of fact, even though the December holidays are over, the rink has various packages timed to Valentine's Day, afternoon tea, breakfast, drinks and more.

Sessions are 90 minutes long and kick off at 8:30 am, lasting until midnight. Adults are $25, while kids and seniors are $15. Group rates, for crowds of 15 or more, are less. The VIP experience also gets you to the front of the line, plus includes treats, coffee and hot chocolate.

Some pics from the rink last week:

The Holidays Are Here: A Trip to New York's Rockefeller Ice Rink

Yes, the holiday season is here -- or it soon will be. Surest sign yet? I was in New York last week, and had a chance to do a quick skate at the famed The Rink at Rockefeller Center.

The Christmas tree isn't up yet -- it's coming -- and the temperatures aren't quite crisp. But lacing up skates and taking a spin below Rockefeller Plaza is sure to get you into that fall spirit.

The prices are between $25 and $32 (depending on time of year), which is a bit on the pricier side, but it also keeps the rink manageable. The rink also strongly recommends taking the first session, at 8:30 a.m., in order to beat the crowds. If I lived in New York, I'd be tempted to make it a habit before work.

Skating began on Oct. 10 and continues through next April. Here are the skate times:

25-32 8:30AM-10:00AM; 10:30AM - 12:00PM; 12:30PM - 2:00PM; 2:30PM - 4:00PM; 4:30PM - 6:00PM; 6:30PM - 8:00PM; 8:30PM - 10:00PM; 10:30PM - Midnight

For folks who want to beat the lines, the more expensive VIP Igloo option gets you on the rink quicker.

Some pics:

In Sunny SoCal, Paying To Experience 9-Degree Weather at Long Beach's "Chill"

It may be 80 degrees in Southern California, but deep inside the Long Beach dome (the one that once housed the Spruce Goose, next to the Queen Mary), it's a chilly 9 degrees. The Queen Mary's annual Chill event gives SoCal residents a taste of the cold without having to drive into the mountains -- although it's not cheap, at as much as $40 a ticket. (Search for the cheaper $20 tix at Costco or online.) Still, it's a unique experience to walk through Chill's "Ice Kingdom," where ice sculptures tell the story of The Nutcracker and a slide made of ice thrills the little ones. Outside the dome, ice skating comes with the price of admission (or snow tubing, also inside the dome, is one more option). Located under the sparkling holiday lights of the Queen Mary (also included with Chill admission), it's a good way to give the kids a quick afternoon taste of winter. Before putting your shorts back on.

Chill continues until Jan. 5. Some pics:


Ice soldiers guard the Ice Kingdom


Ice Sugarplum Fairy


The Ice Queen Mary


Riding down the ice slide


Don't worry about bringing a heavy jacket: Everyone who visits the "Ice Kingdom" gets a thick blue parka. (It's actually required to wear if you want to ride the ice slide.)


Ice Christmas tree, and mini ice Queen Mary


Alpine Village


Giant snowman


Outside the dome, a mega rocking horse


View of the Queen Mary at twilight


Ice rink (comes with the price of admission)

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.

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.

L.A. Cameo: 'Up All Night' at Pickwick Ice

When Will Arnett's character in "Up All Night" needs a break from being a stay-at-home dad, he gets out that frustration and anger via rough-and-tumble hockey games. And those scenes were taped, where else, at Pickwick Ice Rink in Burbank.

The Pickwick is a popular filming spot, and it's also a great weekend attraction. We wrote about a visit to the rink last year.