A downtown holiday tradition kicks off Friday as the Sacramento Downtown Plaza Ice Rink opens for its 21st year with free skating and skate rentals from 2 - 10 p.m.

“Our crew has been really hustling all month over at Seventh and K streets to set up our outdoor rink,” said Annie Stuckert, senior events manager for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. “Last week’s winter storm really put us all in the mood for these fun holiday activities, and we’re excited to kick off the season.”

Last year, the ice rink set a record with more than 30,000 visitors – a 20 percent increase over the previous year.

Tuesdays this year will be devoted to family skate nights, and there will be theme nights every Thursday, with “Big Bang Theory” Friday nights and other social media-driven events throughout the season.

The rink will be open from Friday through Jan. 31, and admission is $8. Skate rentals cost $2.

City officials formed the rink in 1991, and it was shortly taken over by the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, which continues to run it today.