Have you ever bought a skating ticket for a Saturday in December, then spent the week checking the forecast? This season at City Center Bishop Ranch, you don't need to.
The Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink opened for its 2026–27 season on Friday, November 6. Yamaguchi cut the ribbon, and skaters can come through January 3. The rink's own ticket page names the change: "For the first time, an overhead canopy transforms the Holiday Ice Rink, so you can skate, gather and celebrate all season long, rain or shine."
The canopy matters because of how the tickets work. Each ticket is for one date and one 90-minute session. You can't swap it for another date, and rain isn't a reason for a refund. The roof is what makes those terms reasonable. With it overhead, booking a session ahead is a safe bet, not a gamble on the weather.
The Roof and the Ticket Terms Arrived Together
The 2026 ticket page states the weather policy plainly:
"The ice rink operates rain or shine, and inclement weather does not qualify for a refund, credit, or ticket transfer. Guests should plan accordingly and dress for outdoor conditions."
The rest of the policy is just as firm. All ticket sales are final. No refunds or credits are issued for illness, a change of plans, scheduling conflicts or a missed session. You can give your ticket to another person, but you can't move it to a different date or session. A refund or other remedy is possible only if rink management officially closes the rink or cancels a session. Unsafe conditions and severe weather are among the reasons listed.
Last season was different. When the rink returned in November 2025, Bay Area Telegraph called it an "open-air rink." This year, Bay Area Telegraph reported that the canopy should make rainy-day skating more appealing. It also noted that Walnut Creek on Ice has had cover for years, which helps "as the rainy season arrives in full." So San Ramon's rink now has the kind of cover Walnut Creek's has had for years.
The roof keeps rain off the ice. It doesn't heat the air, though, and the policy still tells guests to dress for outdoor conditions. Plan on gloves.
What Changed on the Price List
The canopy gets the attention, but the price list changed too, and those changes affect when you go.
| Item | 2025–26 season | 2026–27 season |
|---|---|---|
| Standard admission, 90 minutes, rental included | $22 | $23 |
| Discount sessions | $10 on select Tuesdays | $16 on all Monday and Tuesday sessions, plus 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday |
| Season pass | $90 | $100 |
| Rinkside fire pits | $60 weekdays, $115 weekends | From $50 for weekday matinee reservations |
Last year's cheapest skate was $10, but only on select Tuesdays. This year the discount is $16, and it covers far more of the week. Every Monday and Tuesday session counts, and so do the two early-afternoon sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. For a family of four, a $16 session costs $64. The same four people at standard admission pay $92, so choosing the day saves $28 per outing.
Use the season pass math to decide whether you're pass people. At $100 against $23 standard tickets, the pass pays for itself on the fifth visit. If you only skate on value days, it takes seven visits. A child who wants to skate every weekend in December will get there. A family that skates once on Christmas break will not.
The fire pits are back, and the starting price is lower. The weekday matinee rate begins at $50. Bay Area Telegraph reported that reservations come with a s'mores kit for four, and it pointed out that the pits are a separate booking for relatives who would rather watch than skate. The whole rink is cashless, and transaction fees may apply.
Picking a Session When the Date Can't Change
Your ticket locks in a date and time, and the canopy takes weather out of the decision. That leaves your calendar and your budget. The published schedule gives you these choices:
- Regular weeks. Monday through Thursday, the rink runs 1 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday hours are 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Sunday is 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sessions start at 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. There's also an 11 a.m. session Friday through Sunday and a 9 p.m. session Friday and Saturday.
- Cheapest after school. On Monday and Tuesday, every session is $16, including 5 and 7 p.m. On Wednesday and Thursday, the discount only applies at 1 and 3 p.m.
- Thanksgiving week and winter break. Holiday hours start at 11 a.m. daily November 23–27 and December 21 through January 3. The rink is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Weeknight fire pits. The $50 starting rate is for weekday matinees. During holiday breaks, matinee sessions run Monday through Thursday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- New skaters. Skate aids cost $15. They're first-come, first-served and can't be reserved, so an early session on a quiet day is the best time to get one.
Advance tickets are highly recommended, and you'll sign a waiver for each skater when you buy. If someone in your group gets sick, the ticket can go to a friend, but it can't move to next week.
The Rest of the Plaza's Calendar Runs Past the Rink
The rink also sets the pace for City Center's holiday calendar, and most of the season's events are on or next to the ice.
Tonight, November 12, is Family Photo Night. Photo slots are offered during the 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. sessions and include one digital image. Skating admission is a separate ticket, and photo slots are limited. If tonight doesn't work, the ticket page lists more themed sessions:
- Thursday, November 19: a second Family Photo Night
- Thursday, December 3: K-pop sessions
- Thursday, December 10: "Stars & Stripes on Ice"
- Thursday, December 17: Olivia Rodrigo music night
Every themed night falls on a Thursday, when the 5 and 7 p.m. sessions are standard price. Families with younger kids who want the cheaper rate can skate on Monday or Tuesday and keep Thursday for the theme they care about.
On Friday, November 20, from 6 to 7 p.m., City Center holds its Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. The Monte Vista Band and a group of singers perform before Santa arrives. After that, Santa visits on weekends, generally noon to 4 p.m. in front of the decorated tree. Visits include a photo opportunity and a holiday treat:
- November 21–22
- November 27–29
- December 5–6
- December 12–13
- December 19–20
On a Santa weekend, a Saturday 11 a.m. session ends at 12:30 p.m., after Santa's noon start, so you can go straight from the ice to the tree on one trip to the plaza.
For dinner after an evening session, there's Meyhouse, a Turkish restaurant and jazz club that held its grand opening at City Center on May 5. DanvilleSanRamon.com reported its debut, and the Mercury News described it as the restaurant's first East Bay location. Meyhouse Jazz nights appear on City Center's events calendar right next to the rink sessions, so a 5 p.m. skate can lead straight into a table with live music.
The rink runs through January 3. The canopy means you can pick your date for your family's calendar, not the forecast, and once that date is on a ticket, it stays there.
If you're thinking about what your San Ramon home might be worth before the new year, Valerie Vicente is happy to run the numbers with you. Call Val for Value and request your free home valuation.
