San Jose Downtown Ice

November 15, 2024 - January 20, 2025

Circle of Palms
120 S. Market St.
San Jose, CA 95113
$21 approx., sjdowntownice.com

Circle of Palms is back this year after a one-year hiatus.

The outdoor Circle of Palms ice skating rink is set among stately-palms in a court and features over 8,000 square feet of ice in an arena and circular outer rink with over 30 stately, lighted palms.  Imagine towering palm trees, the moon and stars in the magical sky  surrounded by the vibrant city buildings and warmer weather Californians enjoy on a winter night, and think of yourself gliding on ice.  San Jose Downtown Ice has become a family tradition in California's third largest city located in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Many fun holiday-related activities in downtown San Jose include Christmas in the Park at Plaza de Cesar Chavez and the Winter Wonderland carnival rides.

Special Ice,  the largest producer of seasonal ice rinks in California, will operate and produce Downtown Ice - their corporate office is in nearby Livermore.  

Willy Bietek took over operations of Downtown Ice in 2021 and faced challenges from weather and the pandemic. His company  continues to produce seasonal ice rinks at Union Square in San Francisco and Pershing Square in Los Angeles.

Usually opens at noon on weekends (Sat & Sun) though holiday hours vary slightly. Weekdays the rink usually opens around 5 p.m. Closing time is more towards midnight on weekends, and 9 p.m. on week nights, but is subject to change.  See website for daily schedule - sjdowntown.com/downtownice

Each year San Jose dresses up for the holidays with a park filled with a toyland of statues and lights called Christmas in the Park.

Holiday ice skating is popular in California, and San Jose's perfect location provides not only a two-month skate season, but also the ideal conditions for ice skating. At the circular rink, you can skate the inner, smaller arena, or head for the outer strip with its larger circumference.

San Jose ice rink:  Down the street a few blocks from Downtown Ice you'll find the arena where the San Jose Sharks play ice hockey. And San Jose State Spartans also have a hockey team nearby. San Jose has one of the finest state of the art skate parks, and invests heavily in the skating passion as evidenced by the number of skaters that attend its many skate attractions and events.

Downtown ice rinks have seasonally been in San Jose for over a decade. When a new rink was relocated to a plaza near the San Jose Museum of Art and Fairmont San Jose just a few years ago, the ice rink began setting records for attendance. Over 50,000 people skated during a holiday season and close to 2,000 in a single day. Great sponsors and partners such as Kristi Yamaguchi have assured this event and attraction's success. Local residents love it, and conventioneers to San Jose McEnery Convention Center can walk a short two blocks for this fun, outdoor activity when attending conferences.

For a really special holiday season, fly to San Jose Airport, book a hotel room downtown, and walk over to the ice skating rink and Christmas in the Park for a winter celebration that can easily become a family tradition. In addition to the downtown San Jose attractions such as the annual Ballet San Jose performances of The Nutcracker, be sure to check out Santana Row's holiday tree lighting ceremony.

When visiting Downtown Ice,  The Fairmont is located right next door. It is truly a special hotel accommodation popular with both vacationers and business travelers.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.