Holidays on ice

HOLIDAY

In Sacramento, autumn and winter are marked by the changing color of leaves, a much colder breeze, pumpkin-flavored everything and, of course, the return of the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink presented by Sacramento Downtown Plaza.

Now celebrating its 21st season, the 5,000-square-foot-plus rink has been set up by the folks at the Downtown Sacramento Partnership just in time for the holidays. The rink is open through January 21, so gather family and friends and head down for an afternoon session on ice, or grab a date and brave an embarrassing fall on the cold surface in the evening. Hot chocolate and coffee are available for $2 a cup—a tasty way to keep skaters of all ages cozy (last year, 31,000 hit the rink, according to the DSP). This year, a deejay will provide Top 40 hits and era-appropriate tunes during theme nights. Bonus: Dress up for the theme nights and earn a free skate rental. So head to the thrift store and get decked out for ‘80s prom night (December 6) or, just in time for the Super Bowl, don your favorite sports team jersey (January 17).

Admission is $8 or $10 with skates, so you’ll have enough pocket change left over for a hot chocolate to warm your hands or, if you prefer, that pumpkin-flavored whatever. Monday through Thursday, 2 to 8 p.m.; Friday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; 701 K Street; (916) 442-8575; www.downtownsac.org/events/ice-rink.