Grand reopening for 8,000 square-foot rink set for November 10
By Sam Catanzaro
Ice at Santa Monica is returning next month after a two-year hiatus for the 8,000-square-foot outdoor ice rink.
The rink will once again be set up at the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue and will be open from November 10 – January 16, 2023. On November 10, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) will host a grand opening ceremony featuring free skating, a live DJ, delicious bites and freebies.
“We are so pleased to offer to our community our unique Winterlit events and programming, and to welcome back Ice at Santa Monica. These events are beloved. DTSM Inc. takes tremendous pride in making our Downtown a special destination for everyone,” said DTSM CEO Andrew Thomas.
The rink’s operating hours will be from noon to 10 p.m. with skate rental and all-day admission for $20.
This marks the first time the rink will be open since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year the rink was canceled due to issues with the electrical infrastructure.
Ice at Santa Monica is the Westside’s only skating rink and is expected to generate around $1.3 million in gross revenue this year. It costs the City of Santa Monica and DTSM roughly $1.2 million to produce.
The ice rink is not the only holiday programming DTSM has planned. Tens of thousands of colorful lights, decor and garland will deck the Third Street Promenade, 2nd and 4th Streets, Santa will come to the Promenade on December 1 at 6 p.m. for the annual lighting of the official City of Santa Monica 24-foot-tall holiday tree. Nightly menorah lightings will celebrate the Festival of Lights during the Hanukkah season from Sunday, December 18 through Sunday, December 25.
Santa Monica Place will also join in on the holiday festivities with a variety of events, photo opportunities and performances to accompany holiday shoppers. From November 19 through December 24, guests can cozy up next to Santa for photos and experience the brand-new Santa House upgraded with sleek, festive décor. The shopping center will welcome the return of its twinkle lights and larger than life holiday decor along with the iconic 50-foot Center Plaza Christmas tree. In December, the popular dancing Beach Belles, Breakfast with Santa, Pet Nights, Menorah Lighting and live holiday DJ sets will also take place.
For more information on holiday happenings in Downtown Santa Monica, visit downtownsm.com/winterlit.
