Polar Plaza returns to Tollefson Plaza this month

Downtown Tacoma’s Tollefson Plaza again will be a place for art, ice and everything nice this holiday season when CHI Franciscan’s Polar Plaza begins its fifth year of ice skating at 17th and Pacific.

Metro Parks Tacoma is working with the Tacoma Art Museum, CHI Franciscan and other community organizations to present the winter fun. The plaza will be open Nov. 21 through Jan. 10, and the park district will manage the ice rink during much of that time; the plaza will be a focal point throughout the holidays, including being “aglow” during First Night, Tacoma’s family friendly celebration of New Year’s Eve. The district also will offer a full schedule of special events, such as nature-based activities, fitness on ice, and skate performances. A food truck will provide concessions at the site.

“The partnership is a great way for Metro Parks to add what we do best to this timeless tradition the community loves,” said Roxanne Miles, business and performance manager for Metro Parks.

Besides ice skating, the plaza will feature live music every Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m., and Soar with the Seattle Thunderbirds on Nov. 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. The full music list is below:

Nov. 21: The Pushrods – ’50s, ’60s and ’70s
Nov. 28: DoveLand – Country
Dec. 5: Dave Calhoun – Jimmy Buffet Tribute
Dec. 12: Kim Archer – Soul, Funk, Rock
Dec. 19: Randy Litch & Guest – Family Holiday Music
Dec. 26: Entertainment Masters – Karaoke Night
Jan. 2: Kareem Kandi – Jazz
Jan. 9: The Stunt Doubles – ’90s Night

Tickets cost $8 for general admission, $7 for military members and people 60 or older, and $4 for children 5 and younger. Skate rentals cost $2. Tickets may be purchased at the rink or any Metro Parks Tacoma Community Center. 

For more information, visit www.PolarPlaza.com. Please call (253) 305-1022 for group rates or reservations. 

View Polar Plaza hours and information (pdf)

More winter fun

Metro Parks is putting on fun runs and more events this season:

Nov. 11-12: Veterans Appreciation Days at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (Veterans are admitted free; immediate family members receive half off general admission.)
Nov. 26, 9 am: Turkey Trot (2-mile/5K) at Center at Norpoint
Nov. 27-Jan. 3, 5-9 pm: Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Dec. 5, 11 am-4 pm: 19th Century Christmas at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
Dec. 19, 11:30 am-12:30 pm: Polar Bear Birthday Party at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Dec. 24, 10 am-12 pm: Jingle Bell Run (3-mile) at Wright Park
Dec. 26, 9:30 am-3 pm: Winter Wildland at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

For more information, visit MetroParksTacoma.org