Holiday cheer has made its way back into the heart of downtown as CityScape’s yearly winter wonderland event returns after its 2020 absence.
Due to light rail construction, the rink is now located at 11 W. Washington St. in the center of CityScape, a few footsteps east from its original location in the middle of Central Avenue. CitySkate is helping Valley residents remember the reason for the season whilst also helping residents remember their childhood traditions and helping create new ones as well.
Debi Campbell, a five-year CityScape Phoenix resident and CitySkate yearly participant said, “It brings back fond memories of enjoying ice skating when I was younger which led me to want to do it again here when the opportunity arose. Something about gliding across the ice to Christmas music is very enjoyable.”
Originally from Cincinnati, Campbell often invites her friends from college to take part in the festivities when they’re in town.
“My friends who played hockey in college like to bring their kids down to show them what it was like to go to ice skating rinks in the winter back east. Also, it’s much safer than the frozen lakes I learned to ice skate on,” Campbell said.
CityScape Phoenix is a place where people come together for dining, nightlife, shopping, entertainment, business, community events and celebrations of all kinds.
Emily Park, vice president of marketing for CityScape Phoenix said “CitySkate has become a time-honored tradition for so many Valley families and we look forward to welcoming guests back to the ice rink this season to create even more memories with us”
Along with all of the excitement, CityScape has kept the “reason for the season” in mind by partnering with local organizations to help raise funds and bring awareness during this holiday season.
Every Wednesday, $5 from every ticket sold will be donated to the organization featured on that day.
Organizations include St. Mary’s Food Bank, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Special Olympics of AZ, STARS and CityScape’s own Upward and Onward project which helps increase employment relationships between businesses seeking entry-level employees and graduating high school seniors with disabilities.
And just in case CitySkate’s grand opening ceremony on Nov. 26 was missed, no need to worry. CityScape has planned a full day of free progressive holiday performances, with over-the-top holiday lights and décor, delicious food, drinks and merriment to remember on Saturday, Dec. 11, when “Downtown Phoenix will be transformed into the first-ever Winter Wanderland,” according to its website.
CitySkate’s newest ice rink design and size will be open from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. through Dec. 14, and from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. from Dec. 17 through Jan. 5. Hours on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day may vary.
General admission is $18 per person for skate rental for 90 minutes of skate time during designated sessions, while the price is $13 for military, seniors and children age 8 and under. Children under 3 years old are free.
Students can skate for $13 on Sunday with a valid ID from their middle school, high school or college, and those who bring their own skates will get $2 off pricing.
Contact the reporter jeelias@asu.edu.
