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Winter events schedule releases for Ice at Canalside

It's three weeks until Ice at Canalside opens, and the Buffalo Waterfront shared its full special event schedule.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Waterfront shared on Friday the full 2024-2025 special event schedule for the ice rink, opened reservations for ice activities, and announced a new mascot. Friday, Nov. 22 will be opening day of Ice at Canalside, with the new mascot taking the ice for the first time. 

In the coming weeks, the community can expect to see the mascot on Buffalo Waterfront's social media. The community is asked to send ideas for a name on both social media and in person during opening weekend. 

“We have an incredible lineup of special events and theme nights this year, complete with fireworks and fun for the whole family,” said Lauren Ford, general manager, Buffalo Waterfront. “With something new every week, we hope the Ice at Canalside becomes a regular destination this year for families’ weekend and holiday break activities.”

Following opening weekend of Nov. 22 through Nov. 24, regular hours of operation at the ice will start on Friday, Nov. 29. 

Admission Prices for 2024-2025 

  • Age 5 & Under: Free
  • Children Ages 6-12 & Military: $5
  • Ages 13 & Up: $8
  • Skate rentals (Sizes Youth 7 – Adult 14): $5
    Training walker: $2
  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield members receive $1 off admission, $10 off season passes, and $19 off family season passes.

New and returning features 

  • NEW: The Ice Express Train, a trackless train that will run on the ice during Kids Club Sundays and also on Tuesday during public skate hours
  • Ice Bumper Cars will return with a brand-new fleet of vehicles
  • Ice Bikes return for the weekends and holidays 
  • NEW: Hockey Shot Stop, a space for skaters to test their hockey skills
  • Snow Sculpture, a display by Eric Jones that will be updated and redesigned throughout the season 

Reservations 

  • Igloo: can accommodate up to eight people 
  • Curling: made for four to 10 people and include an instructor and all the equipment 
  • Group skates: includes skate admission and minimum of 10 people 
  • Private rentals:  includes exclusive access to the ice at Canalside for 2 hours, ice skate admission and rental, curling admission and rental, and 1 free hot chocolate per attendee for up to 100 attendees. 
  • Season passes for both individuals and families are available online and  in person  starting opening day.

Weekly Events

Kids Club Sundays (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

  • Every Sunday at the ice, enjoy family-friendly fun with skating, curling and bumper cars on the ice, plus Ice Express Train rides, character appearances, mini–Hockey Shots, free skate aids, and a Kids Skate Zone. All kids receive a free snack and toy or activity each week.

ROAR Logistics Community Skate Wednesdays (4 – 8 p.m.)

  • Free admission from 4 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday, courtesy of ROAR Logistics.

Friday Night Lights (6 – 10 p.m.)

  • Enjoy special theme nights, happy hour drink specials, a live DJ, and giveaways, and a fireworks show each Friday in November & December.
    • Nov. 22: Live & Local (live music with local artists)
    • Nov. 29: Holiday Pop
    • Dec. 6: Broadway’s Best
    • Dec. 13: Swiftie Celebration
    • Dec. 20: Mariah Carey & Cozy Classics
    • Dec. 27: House DJ Night
    • Jan. 3: Pink Pony Club
    • Jan. 10: Skating Through the Decades
    • Jan. 17: Silent Disco
    • Jan. 24: Kings & Queens of Country
    • Jan. 31: Jam Band Fest
    • Feb. 7: Beyonce’s Beyhive
    • Feb. 14: R&B Vibes
    • Feb. 21: EDM & Electronica Night

  Special Event Saturdays (6 – 10 p.m.)

  • Nov. 23: Seasons Giveaway Night – Giveaways to a Sabres game, a Bisons game, a Bandits game, the Buffalo Heritage Carousel, Explore & More, The Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo AKG, and Shea's every hour throughout the night.
  • Nov. 30: Polar Express Night 
  • Dec. 7: Skate & Shop Night – The first 100 shoppers will receive a free Ice at Canalside tote bag.
  • Dec. 14: Bills Mafia Skate – Shop local Buffalo and Bills-centric vendors, wear Bills gear for $1 off admission, enjoy discounted beverages, and enter to win a Bills tailgate giveaway.
  • Dec. 21: Jingle Bell Rock the Ice –  Wear something festive for $1 off admission, and enjoy stocking stuffer giveaways, Grinch mimosa drink specials, a live DJ, character meet-and-greet, plus a fireworks show. 
  • Jan. 4: Indian Cultural Night – Enjoy a full night celebrating Indian Culture, from food to vendors to music, in partnership with the India Association of Buffalo.
  • Jan. 11: Sabres Night – Wear your Sabres gear for $1 off admission, try your hand at a hockey shot contest, enjoy select discounted beverages, skate to a live DJ, and be entered to win a Sabres jersey.
  • Jan. 18: Ice Fest – This annual, all-day event will continue into the evening, with beverages from the ice luge, snow sculptures, a live ice-carving demo, giveaways, and more.
  • Jan. 25: Asian Cultural Night – Enjoy authentic Asian cuisine and Asian arts & crafts vendors.
  • Feb. 1: Black History Month Celebration – Kick off Black History Month with a celebration at the rink. Shop local, Black-owned businesses, enjoy food from Black-owned food trucks, and skate & dance with music from a local DJ.
  • Feb. 8: Pride Night – Skate to a live DJ, shop LBGTQIA+ vendors, and enjoy a Marsha P. Johnson specialty drink. The most festively dressed will win an Oxford Pennant.
  • Feb. 15: Club Penguin Night – Come down to the New Club Penguin at the Ice – a free, snowy, non-virtual world based on the original Club Penguin. Enjoy a pop-up night club, coffee shop, snow forts, and more.
  • Feb. 22: End of Season Blowout Bash – Wrap up the ice season and enjoy food & beverage discounts, plus igloo, curling, and skate rental discounts

 Regular Hours of Operation 

  • Monday: CLOSED, (leagues and private parties welcome)
  • Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Thursday: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Friday: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Sunday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Special Holiday Hours 

  • Dec. 23 – Jan. 1: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Dec. 24: 11a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Dec. 25: CLOSED
  • Dec. 31: 11a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Jan. 20: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Feb. 17-20: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Feb. 24: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Visit buffalowaterfront.com for the most up-to-date information.

The Ice is BACK for the 2024-2025 season! Come embrace the chill with skating, curling, igloos, and our BRAND-NEW ice...

Posted by Buffalo Waterfront on Thursday, September 26, 2024

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