Ice Ice Baby: Ice rinks take a holiday spin
The temperature is falling, but the winter fun is heating up fast. It's time to chill out at some of the Sacramento region's coolest ice skating spots, offering everything from DJed skate sessions to broomball to visits from Old Saint Nick.
Sacramento Downtown Plaza Holiday Ice Rink (Downtown)
St. Rose of Lima Park on K Street once again hosts daily skating for the holiday season. Glide to the sound of DJ-spun tunes on Thursday evenings or to live music from bands like the Yule Logs, who will play Christmas songs on Dec. 14. Skaters who come in costume for special themed nights like ’80s Prom (Dec. 26) and Favorite Sports Team (Jan. 16) will receive free skate rentals. And make it a date night on Mondays, when from 4 to 8 p.m., you can trade in a receipt from any downtown restaurant that day for free skate rentals for two. $8. $2 rental fee for skates. Open daily (hours vary) through January 20. St. Rose of Lima Park. 7th & K streets. 442-8575. downtownsac.org
Skatetown Ice Arena (Roseville)
Things will be heating up for the holidays at this very cool Roseville sports complex, offering year-round indoor ice skating and, for the first time this winter, a 4,500-square-foot outdoor rink replete with fluffy white snow, cheerful Yuletide décor, and twinkling lights choreographed to holiday tunes. Both the indoor and outdoor rinks will be open on December 6 for its annual Winter Wonderland Skate Party, which will also feature everything from Christmas carols to laser light shows to karaoke to visits from holiday elves. $14 (including skate rental; $12 ages 11 and under). Open daily (hours vary). Outdoor rink through Feb. 17. 1009 Orlando Ave. Roseville.783-8550. skatetown-roseville.com
Iceland (North Sacramento)
What fun it is to laugh and skate at Sacramento’s iconic Iceland skating rink, whose ice has hosted everyone from Ronald Reagan to boxer Max Baer since it debuted in 1940. The landmark—which has rebounded in the last few years from a destructive fire in 2010—will kick off the holiday season on December 5 with its 23rd annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting celebration, which includes free ice skating for children and visits from Santa Claus and the Sacramento Kings’ Slamson. In addition to daily skating through March 2, Iceland will offer other cool activities like weekly drop-in broomball sessions, ice hockey lessons, Christmas-themed ice shows and a New Year’s Eve party. $7 (including skate rental). Open daily 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. through March 2. 1430 Del Paso Blvd. 925-3121. skatesacramento.com
Folsom Historic District Ice Rink (Folsom)
This yearly outdoor attraction returns, offering daily ice skating in historic downtown Folsom through January 20. The circular rink is situated around a towering Christmas tree bedecked with spectacular decorations and illuminated at a tree lighting celebration on December 6. Those that come in costume for periodic themed dress-up nights throughout the season—including ugly ties (Dec. 11), crazy hats (Dec. 18), favorite sports team jerseys (Dec. 26), and neon (Dec. 31)—will earn free skate rentals for the evening. $10. $2 rental fee for skates. Open daily 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. through Jan. 20. 905 Leidesdorff St. Folsom. 985-4181. folsomicerink.com
