You know the holiday season is here when the city's ice rinks open. Starting November 11 (through January 3, 2010) you can enter your own winter wonderland and skate at the Holiday Ice Rink at the Embarcadero and the Union Square Ice Rink downtown. Now, where's that hot cocoa cart when you need it?

Cirque du Soleil's latest production, OVO, will make its U.S. premiere in San Francisco Nov. 27, 2009, the Friday after Thanksgiving Day. OVO, which means "egg" in Portuguese, utilizes the symbol of the life cycle and adapts it to a colony of insects who are awestruck when a mysterious egg appears in their midst. A cast of 54 performing artists from 13 countries will make the teeming world of these quirky critters come alive. A stunning trapeze act employing the skills of six flyers is the biggest of its kind ever presented under Cirque du Soleil's distinctive blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top).

The San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, American Express and Westfield San Francisco Centre are bringing cheer to the holiday season with special offers for visitors to San Francisco through a "Stay & Shop SF" promotion October 1, 2009 to Jan. 31, 2010. Visitors who book a two-night minimum stay at one of 15 participating hotels on the Only in San Francisco website with an American Express card will receive a $50 Westfield American Express gift card (limit one gift card per stay), free parking and free breakfast.

Not all hamburgers are created equal. At the new Burger Bar in Union Square, a Kobe beef burger comes crowned with a slab of sautéed foie gras and shaved truffles. The buffalo burger dons a mini spinach salad. It's all part of internationally acclaimed chef Hubert Keller's deluxe burger bar concept, which originated in Las Vegas and just opened in Macy's Cellar. If beef isn't your thing, go for the turkey burger with cranberry sauce on Ciabatta or the Vegas vegan option. Wash it all down with a glass of wine, beer, or customized milkshake.