The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square, presented by Kaiser Permanente, hosted its 16th annual “Drag On Ice," one of San Francisco’s holiday traditions.

The event is described as full of "glitz and glam," holiday magic, and festive flair.

The event featured local drag performers from the Bay Area, who brought their skills to the ice through skating and performance, including Paju Munro, Dusty Porn, Curve Ball, Helixer, Jota Mercury, Liza Smelyanska, Major Hammy, and Pony Bambino, dressed in elaborate holiday-themed costumes.

Performer Dusty Pörn said the show is a blend of grandiosity, earnestness, and joy — “a really potent and wonderful mix.”

“It's the it's the synergy of of the alchemy of the holidays with drag, with the San Francisco spirit and the folks that come down here, as well as a few tourists," said Pörn.

Host Christie James said Drag On Ice is about acceptance and all year long people hear all of this negativity about the Bay Area,

“This is an opportunity for people to come out and just see that it is all about love. We're skating for love and camp and fun," said James.

As the night went on, performers took selfies with others, families huddled along the rink’s edge, and skaters of all ages circled the ice — some gracefully, some wobbling, all smiling.

AP video by Haven Daley