That’s right folks. As of Thursday, the Ice Rink at Pershing Square is officially open, which means the 2016 holiday season really is upon us. (I, for one, feel no shame in saying I am completely excited about this.)

I grew up here in L.A., so for my family, and many Angelenos I’m sure, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Pershing Square rink. I remember in 2003, when the Gold Line was built, and Metro became part of the tradition as well. At first I was worried that taking the train instead of our car meant we wouldn’t be stopping for our usual Philippes French-dipped sandwiches on the way home. But then, ahhh, there was a stop at Chinatown Station…

But, back to what you really want and need to know: the Holiday Ice Rink in Pershing Square will be open seven days a week (including holidays) through January 18. Hours vary depending on the day, so be sure to check their website before heading out. The Metro Red and Purple Line can drop you within steps of the rink at Pershing Square Station, or you can take the plethora of Metro buses serving the streets around the square (that’s Olive to the north, Hill to the south, 6th Street to the west and 5th Street to the east).

Guests are welcome to purchase tickets at the rink, but as skate time is divided into one-hour sessions, it’s best to buy tickets ahead of time if you don’t like the idea of potentially waiting around for the next time slot. Admission is $9.00 plus an additional $4 for renting skates, if you don’t happen to have your own (Don’t feel bad, this is L.A. after all.) And thanks to our Destination Discounts program, Metro riders save $1 off entrance to the rink simply by showing their valid TAP cards at the admission window.

Finally, before we sign off, a few more Metro-adjacent events happening this weekend that may interest you. Especially if you’re the uncoordinated or accident-prone-on-ice type…

1. UCLA v Washington State at the Rose Bowl. This Saturday, 7:45 p.m. (Metro Gold Line to Memorial Park, then connect with the free Rose Bowl shuttle in the Parson’s Parking lot on Holly Street.)
2. Creation Entertainment presents Supernatural Conn this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Hilton Pasadena. (Metro Gold Line to Del Mar Station.)
3. The 9th-annual Inglewood Open Studios community event is happening this Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. each day, and artists’ studios can be reached by many Metro bus lines in the neighborhood (for an event map, click here.)
4. Margaret Cho brings her PsyCHO tour to the Wiltern, this Saturday at 7 p.m. (Metro Purple Line to Wilshire/Western Station.)