CitySkate at CityScape Phoenix, the Valley’s largest and most visited outdoor holiday ice rink presented by APS, returns to Downtown Phoenix on Nov. 23 and is focused on bringing the community together with the debut of the new Unity Tree, festive art installations and the “Skate It Forward” philanthropic series.
Keeping the annual holiday tradition alive but with a little twist, CityScape has partnered with Walter Productions to design and construct a new tree-shaped installation to be dramatically placed in the center of the ice rink. The 30-foot Unity Tree will be a tensile sculpture made up of more than 100 interlocking panels and illuminated with thousands of individually programmed LED lights. The tree will be copper in color and topped with a Phoenix rising celebrating the beauty and resilience of the city. Multiple interactive kiosks will be placed at the base of the tree where holiday revelers can light up different patterns and sections of the sculpture at a press of a button.
CitySkate will also bring back a number of popular traditions introduced during last year’s season including the “Skate it Forward” series, where every Wednesday during the ice-skating season, CitySkate will team up with a local organization to raise funds and awareness for their cause. The community is invited to come out and skate from 5-11pm where $5 of every general admission ticket will be “skated” back to one the following participating groups: Phoenix Rescue Mission, Phoenix Center for the Arts, Upward & Onward, Phoenix Sister Cities, St. Mary’s Food Bank and Arizona Science Center.
In its ninth consecutive year, CitySkate welcomes close over 200,000 guests over its six-week run and has become an annual, time-honored tradition for families around the Valley. Along with the massive real ice rink, CityScape Phoenix transforms into a holiday paradise with thousands of twinkling lights, holiday happenings and Santa Clause appearances all season long.
The official CitySkate Grand Opening and Tree Lighting Ceremony will kick-off all of the holiday merriments and skating season on Friday, Nov. 23 (Black Friday). The event will showcase a professional figure-skating routine, Santa Claus arriving via the Polar Express, a light show and the official tree lighting ceremony. Prior to the event from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m., those still in search of the perfect holiday gift can shop more than 30 local makers, curators and businesses specializing in high-end vintage clothing, jewelry and furniture at CityScape’s Alternative Black Friday Vintage Market.
CITYSKATE GRAND OPENING & TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Friday, Nov. 23
Ice skating from 12:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Performances and Santa Claus Arrival: 3:30 p.m.
Tree Lighting: 6:00pm
CITYSKATE
Friday, Nov. 23, 2018 through Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019
Skate Sessions (Nov. 23 – Dec. 16, 2018)
Monday through Thursday
5:00pm – 7:30pm
8:00pm – 11:00 pm
Thanksgiving Day (5:00pm – 11:00pm only)
Black Friday (12:00pm – 11:00pm only; 12:00 to 11:00 pm with sessions from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m., 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
3:00pm – 5:00pm
5:30pm – 7:30pm
8:00pm – 11:00pm
Skate Sessions (Dec. 17, 2018 – Jan. 6, 2019)
Monday through Sunday
3:00pm – 11:00pm
3:00pm – 5:00pm
5:30pm – 7:30pm
8:00pm – 11:00pm
Christmas Eve (3:00pm –7:30pm); Christmas Day
Pricing (includes skate rental):
Adults & Kids: $15 per person for all sessions; $30 per person for Fast Pass
Military, Seniors and Children 8 and under: $10 per person
Students (with ID): $10 per person (Sundays Only)
Children under 3 years old are free.
SKATE IT FORWARD AT CITYSKATE
Every Wednesday During CitySkate
Ice skating from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m.
General admission and pricing ($5 from every ticket will be donated to the hosting organizations)
Dates & Partners
November 28: Phoenix Rescue Mission
December 5: Phoenix Center for the Arts
December 12: Upward & Onward
December 19: Phoenix Sister Cities
December 26: St. Mary’s Food Bank
January 2: Arizona Science Center
SANTA CLAUS AT CITYSKATE
November 23 from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m.
November 24 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
November 25 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
December 1 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
December 2 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
December 8 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
December 9 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
December 14 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
December 15 from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.
December 16 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
December 22 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
December 23 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
For more information about CitySkate, visit Cityskatephx.com or call 602-772-3900. Check the website frequently for special happenings, holiday hours and closures. Tickets can be purchased on-site at the ice rink and admission includes skate rental and skating for one hour. The ice rink is available for private parties and events by calling 602-772-3900. Ample and convenient underground parking is available.
