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Canalside announces the program of activities for the 2024-25 winter season

Pabio November 2, 2024

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The popular winter event Ice at Canalside returns to the Buffalo waterfront in three weeks.

November 22 marks the opening day of the rink. After this opening weekend, normal opening hours will begin on Friday, November 29.

This year includes several new and recurring features:

THE Express train on icea new trackless train that will run on the ice on Kids Club Sundays and Tuesdays during public skating hours
Ice bumper carsback after a year of absence, will return with a brand new fleet of vehicles
Ice bikes will also 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 Eric Jones’ exhibit will be updated and redesigned throughout the season

Canalside’s announcement also includes its full lineup of weekly special events:

Kids club on Sundays (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Every Sunday on the ice, have family fun with skating, curling and bumper cars on the ice, plus Ice Express train rides, character appearances, mini-Hockey Shots, free ice assists skating and a children’s skating area. All children receive a free snack and toy or activity each week.
ROAR Logistics Community Skate Wednesdays (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Free entry from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Wednesday, courtesy of ROAR Logistics.
Friday evening lights (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
Enjoy special themed nights, happy hour drink specials, a live DJ and giveaways, plus a fireworks every Friday in November and December.

November 22: Live & Local (live music with local artists)
November 29: Holiday Pop
December 6: The Best of Broadway
December 13: Swiftie Celebration
December 20: Mariah Carey and Cozy Classics
December 27: House DJ evening
January 3: Pink Pony Club
January 10: Skating through the decades
January 17: Silent disco
January 24: Kings and queens of the country
January 31: Jam Band Fest
February 7: Beyoncé Beyhive
February 14: R&B atmosphere
February 21: EDM and Electronica evening

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

November 23: Seasons Giveaway Night – Come to the ice for a live DJ, a prize wheel and giveaways for a Sabers game, a Bisons game, a Bandits game, the Buffalo Heritage Carousel, Explore & More, the Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo AKG, and Shea every hour all night.
November 30: Polar Express Night – Celebrate the start of a joyous and joyful season. Put on your pajamas and hop aboard the new Ice Express train for a free ride, plus a free hot chocolate. Enter to win the Polar Express Package, which includes a dress, book and ornament. There may even be a visit from the man in red!
December 7: Skate & Shop Night – Do your Christmas shopping at the rink with local Buffalo vendors. The first 100 buyers will receive a free Ice at Canalside tote bag.
December 14: Bills Mafia Skate – Shop local Buffalo and Bills-centric vendors, wear Bills gear for $1 off admission, enjoy discounted drinks and enter to win a Bills tailgate giveaway.
December 21: Jingle Bell Rock the Ice – Stop on the ice for the holiday party of the year! Wear something festive for $1 off entry and enjoy holiday gifts, Grinch mimosa drink specials, a live DJ, character meet and greet, and firework show ‘artifice.
January 4: Indian Cultural Night – Enjoy a full night celebrating Indian culture, from food to vendors to music, in partnership with the Buffalo Indian Association.
January 11: Sabers Night – Wear your Sabers gear for $1 off admission, try your hand at a hockey shooting contest, enjoy a selection of discounted drinks, skate to a live DJ and get a chance to win a Sabers jersey.
January 18: Ice Fest – This annual all-day event continues into the evening, featuring ice sledding drinks, snow sculptures, a live ice carving demonstration, giveaways and more.
January 25: Asian Cultural Night – Enjoy authentic Asian cuisine and Asian arts and crafts vendors.
February 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 to music from a local DJ.
February 8: Pride Night – Skate to a live DJ, shop LBGTQIA+ vendors, and enjoy a special Marsha P. Johnson drink. The most festively dressed will win an Oxford Pennant.
February 15: Club Penguin Night – Come experience the new Club Penguin at the Ice – a free, snowy, non-virtual world based on the original Club Penguin. Enjoy a pop-up nightclub, café, snow forts and more.
February 22: End of Season Party – End the ice cream season and enjoy discounts on food and drinks, as well as discounts on igloos, curling and skate rentals.