Bay Area Holiday Ice Rinks 2026: Where to Ice Skate with Kids This Winter

Holiday ice rinks are popping up all over the Bay Area, and 2026 brings two big additions: a brand-new waterfront rink at Fisherman's Wharf and the return of Downtown Sunnyvale's rink after four years. Below you'll find the quick picks, a side-by-side table, and every rink by region with dates, prices and the little-kid details that actually matter (skate aids, smallest skate sizes, toddler sessions).

Quick picks

Best for toddlers: Iceless skating at Bay Area Discovery Museum (included with admission), Toddlers On Ice at Snoopy's Home Ice (ages 18 months–4), and Littles Skate at Walnut Creek on Ice (ages 5 and under).
Best on a budget: Free Community Skate Days at San Mateo on Ice (Nov 19, Dec 1, 7 and 10), $16 Weekday Value sessions at Kristi Yamaguchi in San Ramon, and the free-to-enter 3Crosses Christmas Village ($15 kids' skating).
Most magical photo op: Union Square under the giant tree, or the new waterfront rink at Fisherman's Wharf.
Something different: The 90-foot ice slide at Walnut Creek on Ice.
Make a whole day of it: 3Crosses Christmas Village (train rides, Santa, food trucks), Merry Meritage in Napa (Santa's Workshop, winter village) or North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens.
Still skating after the holidays: Ice at The Veranda (through Feb 14) and Winter Lodge (through April).

All the holiday rinks at a glance

Rink	Area	2026–27 season	Price	Best for little kids
Union Square	San Francisco	Nov 4 – Jan 18	$22; $17 ages 8 & under (skates incl.)	Helpers $6 for kids under 48"
SF on Ice, Fisherman's Wharf NEW	San Francisco	Opening day TBD – Jan 18	$19–$23 (skates incl.)	Ages 4+ only; reserve a Skate Buddy
Bay Area Discovery Museum (iceless)	Sausalito	Nov 21 – Jan 3	With museum admission	Toddler-friendly, no real ice
Merry Meritage	Napa	Nov 19 – Jan 3	From $20 (skates incl.)	Helpers $5, ages 12 & under
LUMA Ice	Petaluma	TBA (mid-Dec last year)	TBA	Last year youth price from age 2
Kristi Yamaguchi Rink	San Ramon	Nov 6 – Jan 3	$23; $16 weekday value (skates incl.)	Aids $15
Walnut Creek on Ice	Walnut Creek	Nov 20 – Jan 18	$20 (skates incl.); ice slide $20	Littles Skate for ages 5 & under
Ice at The Veranda	Concord	Nov 6 – Feb 14	TBA	Longest season
3Crosses Christmas Village	Castro Valley	Nov 27 – Jan 3 (select days)	$18; $15 ages 3–12 (skates incl.)	Toddler size 8 skates; walkers $10
Oakley on Ice	Oakley	Nov 20 – Jan 3	$18 (skates incl.)	Helpers $8
San Mateo on Ice	San Mateo	Nov 19 – Jan 10	From $24.61 (skates incl.)	4 free community skate days; ages 4+
Winter Lodge	Palo Alto	Oct 16 – Apr 11	$20 + $8 skates	Family Session Sundays
Cityline Winter Ice BACK	Sunnyvale	Nov 24 – Jan 3	$25 (skates incl.)	Helpers $6
Downtown Ice	San Jose	TBA	TBA (last year $21)	Next to Christmas in the Park
Gilroy Gardens North Pole Nights	Gilroy	Select nights Nov 21 – Dec 31	Park ticket + skating add-on	Kids under 3 free

Year-round indoor rinks

Good backups for rainy days or after the pop-ups close.

Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center, San Francisco: Check site for prices · Kids 5 and under discounted
Oakland Ice Center, Oakland: $18 + $9 skates · Skating aids $7 per half hour
Sharks Ice San Jose, San Jose: $18 + $9 skates · Skate-aid buckets on weekend sessions; toddler size 6 skates
Sharks Ice Fremont, Fremont: $18 + $9 skates · Group rate for 10+
Snoopy’s Home Ice, Santa Rosa: $12–14 + $4 skates · Toddlers On Ice, Wednesdays

New (and back!) for 2026

San Francisco on Ice at Fisherman's Wharf — brand new

The Wharf's first-ever ice rink, and the biggest holiday rink in SF: 6,500 square feet of real ice on the waterfront, right under the SkyStar Wheel.

When: Nov 4, 2026 (*opening day has been postponed) – Jan 18, 2027, daily 10am–11pm. 75-minute sessions.
Where: Beside the SkyStar Wheel, Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco
Cost: $19 on Value Days, $23 on Standard Days, one price for all ages. Skates included.
Little-kid notes: Ages 4 and up only. Skates start at child size 7. Skate Buddies are $15 and only 10 are available per session, so reserve one online. Socks required (sold on site). Helmets encouraged but not provided.
Don't miss: Theme nights with costume contests: Pirates of the Barbary Coast (Nov 17), Ugly Sweater Skate (Dec 1), Holiday Onesie Skate (Dec 10).
Make a day of it: The rink doesn't sell food, so plan clam chowder or Ghirardelli nearby.
Book: sanfranciscoonice.com

Cityline Winter Ice Rink, Sunnyvale — back after four years

Downtown Sunnyvale's outdoor rink returns for the first time since 2021, now in Redwood Square under the redwoods, steps from Murphy Avenue.

When: Nov 24, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Weekdays 3–10pm, weekends noon–10pm. Daily noon–10pm Nov 25–29 and Dec 19 – Jan 3.
Where: Redwood Square, 273 S. Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale
Cost: $25 per 60-minute session, skates included, all ages
Little-kid notes: Skate helpers $6, limited and first come, first served. Lockers $5, socks $5.
Don't miss: Wednesday theme nights at 7:30 and 9pm, including Glow Night (Nov 25), K-Pop Night (Dec 2) and Ugly Sweater Night (Dec 23).
Getting there: Free parking in Cityline garages, and it's a short walk from Sunnyvale Caltrain.
Book: citylinesunnyvale.com/ice-rink

San Francisco

Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square

The classic: skating under the giant Macy's tree in the middle of downtown.

When: Nov 4, 2026 – Jan 18, 2027, daily 10am–11pm (closes 9:30pm Dec 31). 60-minute sessions start every 90 minutes.
Where: 333 Post St, San Francisco
Cost: $22; $17 for kids 8 and under. Skates included.
Little-kid notes: Skates start at toddler size 8. Polar Bear skate helpers are $6, for kids 48" and under, on-site only, first come first served.
Don't miss: Opening night Nov 4 (first 100 guests skate free at 5:30 and 7pm), Polar Bear Skate on Jan 1, and free Learn to Skate lessons by lottery.
Book: unionsquareicerink.com

San Francisco on Ice at Fisherman's Wharf (NEW)

See "New for 2026" above.

Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center (year-round, indoor)

SF's only year-round rink, next to the Children's Creativity Museum and carousel.

When: Open year-round; check the public skate schedule.
Where: 750 Folsom St, San Francisco
Cost: Last posted: $15 general, $9 for kids 5 and under (skates included for them), plus $6 skate rental. Check current prices before you go.
Book: skatebowl.com

Free skating at Thrive City (Chase Center)

Last year's Winter Wonderland had free ice skating with a suggested donation. The 2026 lineup hasn't been announced yet; we'll update this when it is.

North Bay

Iceless skating at Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito

Best pick for toddlers: no cold, no wet, no falling on hard ice.

When: Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027, as part of Winter Wonderlab (with giant play gingerbread houses)
Where: 557 McReynolds Rd, Sausalito
Cost: Included with museum admission
Book: bayareadiscoverymuseum.org

Merry Meritage Holiday Ice Rink & Winter Village, Napa

Napa Valley's largest outdoor rink, with a winter village, Santa's Workshop and a tree lighting on Nov 21.

When: Nov 19, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Weekdays 4–10pm until Dec 17, then daily 11am–10pm.
Where: 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa
Cost: From $20 per 90-minute session, skates included
Little-kid notes: Skate helpers $5 for kids 12 and under, on-site only
Book: meritageresort.com

Snoopy's Home Ice, Santa Rosa (year-round, indoor)

Charles Schulz's rink, with the Warm Puppy Café rinkside.

When: Open year-round
Where: 1667 West Steele Lane, Santa Rosa
Cost: Weekend/holiday sessions $14 adults, $12 kids 11 and under, plus $4 skate rental. Tickets sold in person only.
Little-kid notes: Toddlers On Ice, Wednesdays 11am–noon for ages 18 months–4 with a caregiver: $25 for one toddler + one adult, skates and aids included.
Don't miss: "A Very Merry Ice Show," Dec 11–12
More info: snoopyshomeice.com

LUMA Ice, Petaluma

Sonoma County's real-ice outdoor rink at the Petaluma Fairgrounds. 2026 dates aren't announced yet; last season ran mid-December to early January ($25 adults, $20 ages 2–13, skates included). lumaice.com

East Bay

Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink, San Ramon

When: Nov 6, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Where: City Center Bishop Ranch, 6000 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon
Cost: $23 per 90-minute session, skates included. Weekday Value tickets $16 (all day Mon–Tue, plus 1pm and 3pm Wed–Thu).
Little-kid notes: Skate aids $15, first come first served
Don't miss: Opening ceremony Nov 6 with Kristi cutting the ribbon; Kristi's skating clinic Nov 7 ($60, ages 5+); Family Photo Nights Nov 12 and 19
Book: bishopranch.ticketspice.com

Walnut Creek on Ice

The only outdoor rink in the Bay Area with an ice slide.

When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 18, 2027
Where: Civic Park, 1365 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Cost: $20 per person per 90-minute session, skates included. Frosty's Summit ice slide is a separate $20 ticket.
Little-kid notes: Walkers $15, first come first served. Littles Skate (ages 5 and under) on select Wednesdays 10–11am: $35 for one adult + one child + a walker.
Book: walnutcreekdowntown.com

Ice at The Veranda, Concord

The longest season around, running through Valentine's Day.

When: Nov 6, 2026 – Feb 14, 2027
Where: The Veranda, 2001–2003 Diamond Blvd, Concord
Cost: 2026 prices not posted yet (last year about $20)
More info: shoptheveranda.com

3Crosses Christmas Village, Castro Valley

Free-to-enter holiday village with a big outdoor rink, train rides, food trucks and Santa.

When: Weekends and select weekdays, Nov 27 – Jan 3. Tickets go on sale Nov 15.
Where: 20600 John Dr, Castro Valley
Cost: Village is free. Skating $18 ages 13+, $15 ages 3–12, skates included (45-minute sessions).
Little-kid notes: Skates start at toddler size 8; walkers $10 and can be reserved with your ticket.
More info: 3crosseschristmasvillage.com

Oakley on Ice (formerly Brentwood on Ice)

When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Where: 3350 Main St (rear), at Norcross and Main, Oakley
Cost: $18 per 90-minute session with skates. Non-skaters free.
Little-kid notes: Skate helpers $8 for skaters under 48"
Book: oakleyonice.com

Oakland Ice Center (year-round, indoor)

Where: 519 18th St, Oakland
Cost: $18 admission + $9 skate rental. Skating aids $7 per half hour.
More info: oaklandice.com

Peninsula

San Mateo on Ice

When: Nov 19, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027
Where: Central Park, 50 E 5th Ave, San Mateo
Cost: From $24.61 per skater, skates included. Ages 4 and up.
Little-kid notes: Skate Buddies about $15 for the first hour; some can be reserved online, the rest are first come, first served.
Free Community Skate Days: Nov 19, Dec 1, Dec 7 and Dec 10. Spots go fast, so check the booking calendar early.
Book: onicerinks.com

Winter Lodge, Palo Alto

A long-running outdoor rink with a holiday tree on the ice from the week after Thanksgiving.

When: Oct 16, 2026 – Apr 11, 2027. Closed Nov 26, Dec 24–25 and Jan 1.
Where: 3009 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
Cost: $20 per person + $8 skate rental. Tickets online only, up to 30 days ahead.
Little-kid notes: Skates start at toddler size 6. "Little Bear" skating aids on weekend afternoon sessions. Sunday 5:30–7:30pm is the Family Session. Gloves required for everyone.
Book: winterlodge.com

South Bay

Cityline Winter Ice Rink, Sunnyvale (BACK)

See "New for 2026" above.

Downtown Ice San Jose (Skate Under the Palms)

The Circle of Palms rink next to Christmas in the Park. 2026 dates and prices aren't posted yet; last season opened the day before Thanksgiving at $21 with skates. Pair it with free Christmas in the Park, Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027. sjdowntownice.com

Polar Play Days at The Tech Interactive, San Jose

Polar Play Days run Dec 2, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Last year included a sock-skating rink for little ones; 2026 details aren't out yet. thetech.org

North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens

Select evenings Nov 21 – Dec 31, with an outdoor rink in North Pole Village (skating is an add-on; free if you bring your own skates). Kids under 3 are free. gilroygardens.org

Year-round indoor rinks

Rink	City	Admission + skates	Little-kid perk
Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center	San Francisco	Check site	Kids 5 and under discounted
Oakland Ice Center	Oakland	$18 + $9	Skating aids $7 per half hour
Sharks Ice San Jose	San Jose	$18 + $9	Skate-aid buckets on weekend sessions; toddler size 6 skates
Sharks Ice Fremont	Fremont	$18 + $9	Group rate for 10+
Snoopy's Home Ice	Santa Rosa	$12–14 + $4	Toddlers On Ice, Wednesdays

Ice skating with little kids: what to know

Can little kids actually enjoy ice skating? It depends on the kid, but the right rink and a skate helper make a huge difference.

Check the minimum age. SF on Ice and San Mateo on Ice require skaters to be 4 and up. For younger kids, try iceless skating at Bay Area Discovery Museum or a toddler session.
Check the smallest skate size. Union Square and 3Crosses start at toddler size 8; Winter Lodge and Sharks Ice San Jose go down to toddler size 6; SF on Ice starts at child size 7.
Plan for a skate helper. Most rinks rent walkers or helpers ($5–$15) for kids about 48" and under, but many are first come, first served. Arrive early, or reserve one where you can (SF on Ice, San Mateo on Ice, 3Crosses).
Book ahead. Weekend and holiday-break sessions sell out, and many rinks are online-only.
Dress for it. Gloves (required at Winter Lodge), warm layers, thick socks, and a bike helmet for new skaters. Some rinks sell socks on site.
Pick a weekday or matinee. Fewer crowds, often cheaper (Kristi Yamaguchi's $16 Weekday Value, SF on Ice Value Days at $19).
Go short. For first-timers, one session is plenty. Most sessions run 60–90 minutes.

Before you go

Dates, prices and sessions change all season, so check each rink's site the week you plan to skate. Want the holiday events worth your weekend, with no scrolling? Get the free monthly newsletter and browse the Bay Area Kids GO events calendar for skate nights, tree lightings and Santa visits near you.

Where are you skating this season? Tell us in the comments.