On a Monday afternoon in late December with no Warriors game, what is actually running at Thrive City?
Two changes made since last winter shape the answer. The holiday skating rink has moved off the open plaza and into an indoor space. The plaza's to-go drink rules no longer switch on and off with ticketed events. With both in place, the 11-acre district around Chase Center has its first holiday season that doesn't hinge on rain or on whether a game is scheduled. The only thing left that changes how a December visit feels is which days the arena next door is full.
The rink came in from the rain
Thrive City's holiday skating has used synthetic ice for years. Until now it sat outside, and Chase Center's December 2024 listing told skaters that sessions could change or be canceled because of rain. In 2025 the San Francisco Chronicle's holiday skating guide listed the rink at Thrive City, 1 Warriors Way. That year's winter storms pushed the opening back. Local News Matters reported on Dec. 29, 2025, that the rink had finally opened that Saturday. Sessions were limited to 20 to 30 minutes, capacity was held at 50 people, and the Warriors were watching the weather in case rain forced a closure.
For 2026, Thrive City says skating "returns in a brand-new indoor location" at the corner of Terry A. Francois Boulevard and Warriors Way, and that it "will operate rain or shine." The address is 7 Warriors Way, Suite 100. In 2019 that same suite held Hooptopia, a temporary Warriors-themed pop-up the Mercury News covered when the arena opened.
The rest of the setup is the same as before. Entry is free with an Eventbrite ticket, first-come, first-served. Skate rentals carry a suggested $5 donation to the Golden State Community Foundation. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. The rink runs on 11 dates: Dec. 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30.
The drink rules stopped depending on the event schedule
The second change took effect before the holiday season started. Since 2024, Thrive City's Entertainment Zone, which lets adults 21 and over carry to-go drinks from participating bars and restaurants through designated outdoor areas, had operated only on select days and events. Chase Center announced in September that the zone would go year-round starting with the Golden State Valkyries playoff game on Sunday, Sept. 27. It now runs daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. inside the area bounded by Warriors Way, Terry A. Francois Boulevard, 16th Street and 3rd Street. The participating venues are Burma Love, Che Fico Pizzeria, Dumpling Time, Gott's Roadside, Harmonic Brewing, Miller & Lux, Señor Sisig and Splash at Thrive City.
SFist described the old part-time designation as one where the open-container rules changed with each event, which confused businesses and customers alike. Splash co-owner Andy Chun told the San Francisco Chronicle that a year-round zone could help businesses draw customers more consistently: "It's about creating more of a European hospitality experience, like the London pub scene or the café culture in Italy."
This matters most on quiet days. A hot drink from the plaza or a beer from Harmonic Brewing used to be a game-night option. Now it is available on a Thursday skating afternoon when the arena is dark.
Which holiday dates share a day with the arena
With weather and drink rules settled, the arena calendar is what sets the crowd level. Here is how the Winter Wonderland schedule lines up with the Warriors' posted home games and Chase Center's other events.
| Date | On the plaza | In the arena |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Nov. 27 | Tree lighting, 4 to 6 p.m. | Warriors in Portland, 6:30 p.m. tip |
| Sat, Nov. 28 | Holiday decor up | Concert, 7:30 p.m. |
| Sun, Nov. 29 | Holiday decor up | Warriors vs. Clippers, 5:30 p.m. |
| Tue, Dec. 1 | Santa at Splash, listed 3 p.m. | Warriors vs. Jazz, 8 p.m. |
| Sun, Dec. 6 | Hanukkah celebration, 4 p.m. | No posted Warriors home game |
| Sat, Dec. 12 to Fri, Dec. 18 | Skating Dec. 12, 13, 17, 18 | No posted Warriors home game |
| Sat, Dec. 19 | Skating | Haney vs. Paro boxing |
| Sun, Dec. 20 | Skating | Invisalign Bay Area Women's Classic |
| Tue, Dec. 22 | Santa at Splash, select days | Warriors vs. Mavericks, 7:30 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 25 | Plaza decor | Warriors vs. Nuggets, 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat, Dec. 26 | Skating; Kwanzaa, noon to 3 p.m. | No posted Warriors home game |
| Sun, Dec. 27 | Skating | Warriors vs. Timberwolves, 5:30 p.m. |
| Mon, Dec. 28 and Tue, Dec. 29 | Skating | No posted Warriors home game |
| Wed, Dec. 30 | Skating | Warriors vs. Rockets, 7 p.m. |
| Thu, Dec. 31 | Noon Year's Eve, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | No posted Warriors home game |
The kickoff falls on a night when the team is away. The tree lighting on Nov. 27 runs from 4 to 6 p.m. with the countdown at 5:55, while the Warriors tip off in Portland at 6:30. Chase Center calls the 90-foot tree the Bay Area's tallest holiday tree. The California Honeydrops, Goapele, East Bay Dance Company and Hardwood Classics are on the bill, along with appearances by Warriors and Valkyries players, simulated snowfall and photos with Santa.
Four of the 11 skating dates share a day with an arena event: Dec. 19, 20, 27 and 30. On Dec. 27 and 30 the Warriors tip at 5:30 and 7 p.m., while the rink is still open until 7. Dec. 26 has the most going on that doesn't involve a ticket. Skating, the noon Kwanzaa celebration with Soji Sai Afrobeats from The Rock and Roll Playhouse, and no posted Warriors game all land on the same Saturday.
The Hanukkah celebration on Sunday, Dec. 6, starts at 4 p.m. with a menorah lighting, live music, vendors and arts and crafts. Thrive City describes its menorah as one of the largest in San Francisco. Every Winter Wonderland event is free, and Thrive City encourages RSVPs through Eventbrite.
What's open on a skating day with no game
The rink and the Entertainment Zone run on non-event days, but some plaza kitchens still keep event-day hours. Monday, Dec. 28 is a useful test, since the rink is open from noon to 7 p.m. and the Warriors don't play at home. Here is what each spot's posted hours mean for that afternoon:
- Philz Coffee opens at 5:30 a.m. on weekdays and closes at 5:30 p.m., so it is open for the start of a skating session but not the end. On event nights it stays open until 8 p.m.
- Dumpling Time serves lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
- Che Fico Pizzeria serves pies, slices and soft-serve gelato from noon to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday through Thursday. On Fridays dinner starts at 4:30.
- Splash at Thrive City is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. During the season its recreation room becomes Sippin' Santa, the national tiki-themed holiday pop-up, and its backyard patio hosts Santa photos with a guest appearance by the Grinch.
- Miller & Lux serves steakhouse dinners from 5 to 9 p.m. every day.
- Cupcakin' Bake Shop is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Two plaza spots shut on that Monday. Harmonic Brewing opens on Mondays only for Warriors, Valkyries or concert events, from 4 to 8 p.m. Its regular week starts on Tuesday at 3 p.m. Fikscue Craft Barbecue, which serves halal Texas barbecue with Indonesian flavors, opens Monday through Wednesday only on event days, from 4 to 8 p.m. It is open from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, or until it sells out. On Wednesday, Dec. 30, the Warriors home game against the Rockets means Fikscue's evening window is open alongside the last skating session of the year.
The newest additions on the plaza
Golden State Cider, a taproom serving fresh-pressed cider, wine, cocktails and a rotating menu from neighboring restaurants, opened on July 31 with indoor and outdoor seating. Golden Rule, a cocktail bar at 720 Terry Francois Blvd. serving Bay Area-inspired drinks and rotating pizza rolls, was announced in May and is on the current Thrive City directory.
Mazé by Noodle in a Haystack, a modern ramen restaurant announced in June, gives its grand opening on its venue page as "Winter 2026." Inside the arena, Chase Center named Bay Bird, a hot-chicken concession at Portals 10 and 55, as its November addition for ticket holders. The closing event of the season is Noon Year's Eve on Thursday, Dec. 31, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It includes a sparkling cider toast at noon and live sets from Rock & Roll Playhouse on the plaza.
If you're thinking about where to live or when to list in Mission Bay, Jeffrey Marples can show you how the Chase Center schedule plays out building by building. Request a personalized market consultation.
