Buffalo Waterfront announces full winter schedule, Ice at Canalside dates

New ice mascot to add to 2024-25 winter fun

Press Release 

Just three weeks from opening day at the Ice at Canalside, presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Buffalo Waterfront has released the full winter 2024-25 special event schedule for the ice rink, opened reservations for ice activities, and announced the addition of a new mascot, which the community will be invited to help name.

“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.”

Friday, Nov. 22, will mark opening day at the ice. A new mascot, which will be revealed on Buffalo Waterfront’s social media in the coming weeks, will also take the ice for the first time that day. Members of the community can submit naming ideas for the mascot on both social media and in person during opening weekend.

Following opening weekend Nov. 22-24, regular hours of operation at the ice will begin Friday, Nov. 29.

New and returning features at the ice this year include:

√ The Ice Express Train, a new trackless train that will run on the ice during Kids Club Sundays and on Tuesdays during public skating hours.

√ Ice bumper cars, back after a one-year hiatus, will return with a brand-new fleet of vehicles.

√ Ice bikes will also make their return to the ice on weekends and holidays this winter.

√ A new hockey shot stop will give skaters a space to test their hockey skills.

√ A snow sculpture display by Eric Jones will be updated and redesigned throughout the season.

Ice at Canalside image courtesy of Shannon Communications/Buffalo Waterfront

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Reservations & Season Passes

Igloo, curling, group skates and private rental reservations are now open. The Igloos at the Ice, presented by Paula’s Donuts, can accommodate up to eight people and offer a cozy, intimate space to warm up and relax. Curling reservations can be made for four to 10 people and include an instructor and all the equipment.

Season passes for both individuals and families are now available online at a new, lower cost, and will be available in person at the Ice at Canalside’s Honda Pavilion starting opening day.

Weekly special events

•Kids Club Sundays (11 a.m. until 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 courtesy of ROAR Logistics.

•Friday Night Lights (6-10 p.m.) Enjoy special theme nights, happy hour drink specials, a live DJ, and giveaways, plus a fireworks show each Friday in November and 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 – Come to the ice for a live DJ, prize wheel, and 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 – Celebrate the start of a holly and jolly season. Grab your pajamas and hop on the new Ice Express Train for a free ride, plus free hot chocolate. Be entered to win the Polar Express package, which includes a robe, a book and an ornament. There may even be a visit from the man in red!

√ Dec. 7: Skate & Shop Night – Get some Christmas shopping done at the rink with local, Buffalo vendors. 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 – Stop down at the ice for the holiday bash of the year! 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 and 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 and 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 and beverage discounts, plus igloo, curling, and skate rental discounts.

Ice at Canalside image courtesy of Shannon Communications/Buffalo Waterfront

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Regular hours of operation

Monday: Closed (leagues and private parties welcome)

Tuesday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: 4-8 p.m.

Thursday: 4-8 p.m.

Friday: noon to 10 p.m.

Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Special holiday hours

√ Dec. 23 – Jan. 1: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

√ Dec. 24: 11a.m. to 6 p.m.

√ Dec. 25: Closed

√ Dec. 31: 11a.m. to 8 p.m.

√ Jan. 20: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

√ Feb. 17-20: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

√ Feb. 24: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

2024-25 Admission

√ Ages 5 and under: Free

√ Children ages 6-1, military: $5

√ Ages 13 and 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.

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

Ice at Canalside image courtesy of Shannon Communications/Buffalo Waterfront

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Buffalo Waterfront

Buffalo’s Waterfront is a growing regional destination and entertainment district encompassing Canalside and Outer Harbor. The Buffalo Waterfront hosts large events and daily activities of all types and strives to provide public access to the land and waterways on the Lake Erie shoreline. Operated by the Buffalo Waterfront Management Group, part of Rich Entertainment Group – a subsidiary of Rich Products, the Buffalo Waterfront is the go-to place for locals and out-of-towners of all ages to learn, play and relax.

For more information, visit www.buffalowaterfront.com.