TUCSON, Ariz. -- Tucsonans will get to experience everything it means to have a winter wonderland in the desert with it's first outdoor ice rink starting Saturday. The initially opening was scheduled for Friday, November 29th, but was moved due to weather.
Let’s skate! Tucson Holiday Ice opens downtown today at noon thanks to @rionuevotucson1 and other great sponsors. #tucsonholidayice pic.twitter.com/vw1mMjuAyF
— City of Tucson (@cityoftucson) November 30, 2019
This was a 350,000 dollar project between the City of Tucson and the Rio Nuevo District voted on by Tucson voters.
The rink is in the MLK lot across the street from Hotel Congress. The rink opens Saturday, November 30th, and runs until Jan. 5th.
It cost $15 for adults and $10 for children.
This rink is in partnership with another annual Christmas celebration happening downtown, Miracle on Congress.
Miracle on Congress is a pop up Christmas event for the fourth year in a row hosted by Playground Bar and Lounge and Hub Factory.
It will be on 300 E. Congress St., across from the Playground Bar and Lounge.
"With everything going on downtown, it's an ideal time to come down and enjoy your holiday season and kind of have the New York Manhattan vibe as you come down and you ice skate and you shop and you enjoy the restaurants, it's a great time to be a Tucsonan," Rio Nuevo Board member Edmund Marquez said.
Every year they'll be sponsoring a new charity. The first weekend will be Children's Museum Tucson, then Tu Nidito, PACC and lastly Big Brothers Big Sisters.
People also have the opportunity to hang out with Santa for free (just bring your own camera).
Santa's Hours:
- Fridays 4pm-10pm
- Saturdays 11am-6pm
- Sundays 11am-6pm
They'll also have holiday cocktails for adults:
- Cranberry Mule - Belvedere vodka, cranberry, ginger beer & lime
- Cinnamon Hot Chocolate - Jack Fire & hot cocoa with whipped cream
- Jack’s Apple Pie - Jack Daniels Apple, Apple pie liqueur, egg white & lemon
- Christmas Bear - Captain Morgan spiced rum, chocolate liqueur, creme de menthe, cream
- Hot Hot Toddy - Spiced ginger liqueur, clove & orange
