ECHDC Announces Ice at Canalside Grand Opening Weekend in Buffalo

November 27, 2024

Weekend features Holiday Pops and Giveaways on Friday, Polar Express Night on Saturday, and Kids Club Sunday

See pictures of Ice at Canalside here

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation today announced that Western New Yorkers can lace up their skates for the grand opening weekend of the Ice at Canalside, presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. On Friday, November 29 from 6 to 10 p.m., holiday pop music will play all night, with special giveaways every half hour for local concerts, Explore & More, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, the zoo, and more. Stick around for fireworks at 8 p.m. Polar Express Night on Saturday, November 30 will feature the debut of the Ice Express. Guests can enjoy free train rides, free hot chocolate, and a free bell for the first 50 children. Sunday is the first Kids Club Sunday of the season featuring the new Ice at Canalside mascot. If you want to kick off Thanksgiving weekend early, a Community Skate sponsored by ROAR Logistics will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27 with free skate admission.

“We have a lot of new, exciting attractions this year down at the Ice at Canalside, plus the return of favorites like the bumper cars and ice bikes,” said ECHDC Chairperson Joan Kesner. “Whether you come to the ice every year, or haven’t yet come downtown for a skate, we have something for all visitors and families this season. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we continue to work hard creating a vibrant destination on Buffalo’s waterfront and I encourage everyone to come embrace an essential Buffalo experience.”

“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.”

In addition to all the new programming and features at the Ice, a new penguin mascot will make its debut Friday. Buffalo Waterfront invites members of the public to submit name ideas in person, or via Buffalo Waterfront’s social media channels, up until Friday. A new name will be selected and revealed during Friday’s Holiday Pops and Giveaway Night.

Thanksgiving Weekend Schedule:

Wednesday, Nov. 27

4 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Community Skate sponsored by ROAR Logistics. Free skate admission.

Thursday, Nov. 28

Closed for Thanksgiving

Friday, Nov. 29
Open to noon to 10 p.m. – Public Skating

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Holiday Pops and Giveaway Night with holiday pop music playing all night, and $1 pop available at Nosh and Nibble. Each guest can submit a ticket for one giveaway item and giveaways will take place every half hour on the hour.

6 p.m. - Explore & More Admission Tickets (4)
6:30 p.m. - Buffalo Heritage Carousel Membership
7 p.m. - Buffalo Zoo Family Pass
7:30 p.m. - $100 Southern Tier Brewing Co. Gift Card
8 p.m. - Ice at Canalside Season Family Pass
8:30 p.m. - Season Pass to Seneca Casinos Outer Harbor Live
9 p.m. - Albright Knox Membership Individual
9:30 p.m. - 2-Night Winter Stay at the Glen Iris Inn
10 p.m. - Blue Jays Game Tickets (4)

All guests are entered to win a pair of BPO Holiday Pops concert tickets and can enter to win tickets to Disney’s Descendants and Zombies Concert at Key Bank Center.

8 p.m. – Fireworks!

Saturday, Nov. 30

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. – Public Skating

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Polar Express Night. Debut of the Ice Express with free train rides, free hot chocolate and a free bell for the first 50 children. Enter to win a Polar Express gift package at the admissions tent.

Sunday, Dec. 1

11 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Public Skating

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Kids Club Sunday, featuring Ice Express Train rides, character appearances, mini-Hockey Shots, free skate aids, and a Kids Skate Zone.

Igloo, curling, group skates, and private rental reservations are now open. Season passes for 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.

During the ongoing construction of Heritage Point adjacent to the canal, Buffalo Waterfront encourages guests to enter the rink at Marine Drive, next to Explore & More Children’s Museum. Visitors may also enter at Main Street.

To view the full 2024-2025 Ice at Canalside schedule, visit www.buffalowaterfront.com.

About Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation

The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) is governed by a nine-member board consisting of seven voting directors and two non-voting, ex-officio directors. The seven voting directors are recommended by the New York State Governor and are appointed by the New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development as sole shareholder of ECHDC. The two non-voting, ex-officio director positions are held by the Erie County Executive and the City of Buffalo Mayor.

As a subsidiary of Empire State Development, the state’s chief economic development agency, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation supports and promotes the creation of infrastructure and public activities at Canalside, the Ohio Street corridor and the Outer Harbor that is attracting critical mass, private investment and enhance the enjoyment of the waterfront for residents and tourists in Western New York. Its vision is to revitalize Western New York’s waterfront and restore economic growth to Buffalo based on the region’s legacy of pride, urban significance, and natural beauty.

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