Updated 9/17/2026
Get your tickets for the 2026-27 season here.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center has been a New York City winter tradition since Christmas Day 1936, set beneath the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in the middle of Midtown. The 2026–2027 season marks The Rink’s 90th anniversary, bringing a reimagined skating experience to Rockefeller Plaza with an all-new Skate House, an expanded VIP Skate experience, new 90th Anniversary Lodges, and the return of the Holiday Chalets presented by Balsam Hill.
The season begins October 10 and runs through March 27, 2027. Tickets for General Skate, VIP Skate, and the Holiday Chalets are on sale now. Additional holiday experiences, including the 90th Anniversary Lodges and Top of the Rock holiday offerings, go on sale in October.
Here is what to know before you visit, from timed skating sessions and skate rentals to VIP options and private rinkside gatherings.
90 Years on the Ice
The Rink at Rockefeller Center was originally conceived as a temporary attraction to draw visitors to Rockefeller Plaza. It opened on Christmas Day 1936 and soon became a fixture of New York winters, framed by the gilded Prometheus statue and, during the holidays, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
In the decades since, the space has hosted tennis courts, soccer fields, fashion shows, and roller skating, but ice skating remains its defining tradition. Today, The Rink welcomes more than a quarter of a million skaters each year. This season’s campaign, “90 Years of Winter Tradition,” celebrates the generations of New Yorkers and visitors who have made memories on the ice.
Beginning November 14, an all-new expanded Skate House will serve as the home base for skaters, bringing skate pickup and return, dedicated storage, and seasonal food and beverage together in one building at ice level. The new space will also include an expanded VIP Skate experience with its own heated lounge.
Good to Know Before You Go
The Rink offers timed, 60-minute skating sessions. Advance reservations are recommended, especially for weekends, school breaks, and the height of the holiday season.
Because The Rink is outdoors, dress for the weather and allow time to check in, pick up rental skates if needed, and get ready before your session. If photos with the Christmas Tree are part of the plan, The Rink steps offer one of the classic vantage points for capturing the Tree and rink together.
General Skate: The Classic Rockefeller Center Skating Experience
General Skate includes a 60-minute session on the ice. Tickets start at $22 per person, not including skate rental.
General Skate opens October 10. From October 10 through November 13, guests will enter through a temporary check-in location under 30 Rockefeller Plaza on the lower level near Daily Provisions. Beginning November 14, guests will use the new Skate House, entering from 49th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues next to Kate Spade. An ADA-accessible entrance is available on the lower level through The Rink Shop.
If you reserved online, display your ticket on your phone or bring a printout when you arrive. For a spontaneous visit, Skate Now tickets are available onsite at The Rink Box Office, subject to availability. These flexible same-day sessions are not sold in advance and cost $25 to $40 more than the corresponding General Skate ticket.
VIP Skate: Priority Access and a New Lounge
VIP Skate pairs a 60-minute skating session with priority ice access, complimentary skate rental, and access to two dedicated VIP spaces. Tickets start at $112.
The centerpiece of the refreshed experience is the all-new heated VIP Lounge, featuring plush seating, ample storage, and complimentary warm beverages and snacks. VIP guests also receive 20% off at The Rink Shop. VIP Skate opens November 14 alongside the new Skate House.
Skate Rentals, Penguin Skate Aids, and Storage
Guests may bring their own skates or add skate rental to a General Skate ticket. Rentals can be reserved during the online ticketing process and picked up at check-in. Skate rental is included with VIP Skate.
Penguin Skate Aids, push supports that provide extra balance on the ice, are available to rent onsite. They cannot be reserved in advance. Beginning November 14, the new Skate House will also offer dedicated storage for each skater’s belongings.
Private Rinkside Experiences
Holiday Chalets Presented by Balsam Hill
Holiday Chalets presented by Balsam Hill return November 6 through January 2. Each 50-minute reservation welcomes up to six guests into a private rinkside chalet overlooking The Rink and Christmas Tree.
Two digital chalet photos are included. A festive menu from Chef Greg Baxtrom’s 5 Acres is available for purchase, with a $25 per person food and beverage minimum. The Chalets and The Rink are closed December 1 and 2 for the Tree Lighting.
While You're at Rockefeller Center
The Rink sits at the center of Rockefeller Center, making it easy to build a full Midtown holiday itinerary around your skating session.
Top of the Rock is just upstairs at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. From December 3 through January 2, direct-admission Top of the Rock tickets purchased through Rockefeller Center include an up-close Tree Viewing Experience before guests head to the observation deck.
For visitors looking for an upgraded holiday experience, the VIP Rock Pass: Holiday Edition includes close-up Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree viewing, VIP access to Top of the Rock, a hidden rooftop garden, a champagne toast, SKYLIFT, The Beam Experience, and Photo Pass.
Outside Rockefeller Plaza, Radio City Music Hall is just across Sixth Avenue, while Fifth Avenue's holiday storefronts are a block east. That makes The Rink a natural midpoint for an afternoon that combines ice skating, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, Midtown holiday displays, and skyline views from Top of the Rock.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Rockefeller Center ice rink open for the 2026–27 season?
General Skate opens October 10, 2026. The all-new Skate House and VIP Skate officially open November 14.
Do I need an online reservation to skate?
Advance reservations are recommended for General Skate and VIP Skate so you can choose your preferred skating session. If you decide to skate at the last minute, Skate Now tickets are available onsite at The Rink Box Office, subject to availability.
Can I rent skates at The Rink at Rockefeller Center?
Yes. Skate rental is available with General Skate and can be reserved in advance. VIP Skate includes complimentary skate rental. Preordered skates are picked up at check-in.
Are Penguin Skate Aids available?
Yes. Penguin Skate Aids are available to rent onsite for skaters who would like extra support on the ice. They are not reserved in advance.
Does the Rockefeller Center ice rink have lockers?
Yes. The new Skate House includes dedicated storage for each skater's belongings.
Can I host a private event at The Rink?
Yes. From October through March, The Rink offers a one-of-a-kind setting for holiday celebrations, corporate gatherings, and special occasions beneath the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Learn more about private events at The Rink.
Can I host a private event at The Rink?
Yes. Planning to pop the question on the ice? Submit a Rink engagement inquiry to share your preferred date, timing, song choice, and other details.
The Rink is located at Rockefeller Plaza between 50th and 49th Streets, open daily from 9am until midnight throughout the season. Buy tickets here.
