Starting November 24, the Valley’s largest and most visited outdoor holiday ice rink is returning for another seven-week stretch of icy, cool fun. CitySkate at CityScape Phoenix will include a massive 36-foot holiday tree in the center of the ice rink that guests can skate around while enjoying holiday fun. The rink will also have a perfect photo opportunity as the Desert Wonderland in the City installation by Joe Pagac will bring the south side of the rink to life with a 3-D realistic mural blending real desert and painted plants. Copper Blues will host a hot chocolate bar benefiting the Girl Scouts of the USA local neighborhood group and every Saturday and Sunday, Santa will arrive for photos from 4 to 8 p.m.
CitySkate is also partnering with the Phoenix Art Museum to transform some of CityScape’s retail space into an interactive art pop-up shop. Additionally, Carcerolazo, an installation by artist Saskia Jordá will be featured along with on-site performances and programs including dance, music and hands-on activities.
To really get in the holiday spirit this year, CitySkate is focusing on giving back with its “Skate it Forward” program. Every Wednesday from 3 to 11 p.m. CitySkate is teaming up with a local organization to raise funds and awareness for their cause by donating $5 of every general admission ticket that will be “skated” back to a participating group including St. Mary’s Food Bank, 100 Club, Phoenix Sister Cities, Upward & Onward, One N Ten and Arizona Science Center.
The official grand opening and tree lighting ceremony will kick-off all of the holiday merriments and skating season on Saturday, Nov. 25. The event will showcase performances by Phoenix’s top performing arts organizations including Phoenix Symphony, Phoenix Opera, Herberger Theatre, Ahwatukee Foothills Nutcracker and the All Puppet Players Theatre. The Phoenix Art Museum pop-up shop will also be open to the public and will be hosting a must-see interactive performance while characters from favorite children’s movies will be making their rounds throughout the day like Anna and Elsa from Frozen.
The grand opening and tree lighting ceremony will kick off Saturday, November 25 with skating from 3 to 11 p.m., performances and Santa Claus’ arrival at 4 p.m. and the tree lighting at 6 p.m.
CitySkate will be open from November 25 to January 2.
For those looking to extend their holiday festivities, Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix is offering a “Stay & Skate” package that includes beautifully appointed deluxe accommodations, 15 percent off the best available rate starting from $127 per night, two tickets to CitySkate that include skate rentals and 20 percent off at Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails. The Stay & Skate package can be booked online or by calling 1.877.488.1908 and mentioning the package by name. The package is available from November 25 until December 30.
For more information, visit: phxicerink.com
