The sunken plaza at Rockefeller Center has been a skating rink for ninety years, and the heart of the experience has hardly changed. Prometheus still watches over the ice. The Midtown skyline—although a little taller—still rises on every side. And skaters still circle the same patch of ice that opened as a temporary “skating pond” on Christmas Day 1936.
What started as an experiment to draw foot traffic is now a staple of the New York City holiday season. Each year, thousands of visitors from all 5 boroughs and across the globe step down into the sunken plaza to glide across the ice. Even if you’ve never been to The Rink, you may have spotted it in movies, on the news, or as the backdrop to a memorable proposal.
But as we get ready to celebrate The Rink’s 90th season, we’re not thinking about a single, defining moment. To the New Yorkers and the visitors who have found holiday magic there, The Rink represents millions of individual memories layered onto one small piece of Midtown.
To celebrate 90 years of history at The Rink, Rockefeller Center is giving skaters a few new ways to add their own chapter, from an all-new Skate House to an upgraded VIP experience. Here’s how to make the milestone season part of your winter celebrations.
1. Take a 90th-Anniversary Spin on The Rink
Strap on your skates and take a spin: 90 years later, ice skating is still The Rink’s main event. One General Skate ticket gets you a 60-minute session on the same ice that’s brought people together since 1936.
This year, the experience begins in the brand-new Skate House, where visitors can store personal items, rent and return skates, and order concessions by Chef Greg Baxtrom. General Skate is now available for advance booking, with tickets starting at $22.
Elevate your experience
For skaters looking to make their experience extra special, VIP Skate pairs a 60-minute skating session with priority entry, complimentary skate rental, and 20% off at The Rink Shop.
This year, VIP skaters can also get ready and relax in the heated VIP Lounge. Enjoy plush seating and personal item storage, and treat yourself to complimentary warm beverages and snacks.
VIP Skate opens alongside the new Skate House on November 14.
2. Celebrate From a Private Rinkside Space
This year, toast to the season and unwind “aprés skate” in your very own chalet. Presented by Balsam Hill, the Holiday Chalets offer 50 minutes in a festive, private chalet overlooking The Rink and the Christmas Tree. Your booking includes room for up to six guests, two digital chalet photos, and on-site food and drinks (a $25-per-person hospitality minimum applies).
The Holiday Chalets open November 6 and run through January 2, closing briefly December 1 and 2 for the Tree Lighting.
3. Pair One Rockefeller Center Tradition With Another
The Rink isn’t the only Rockefeller Center experience with nearly a century of history. Just three years before skaters first glided across The Rink, visitors first took in the city from new heights at the observation deck atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza. When it was first opened in 1933, the deck was designed to mimic a cruise ship, giving visitors the sensation of sailing across a “metropolitan ocean”.
Today, Top of the Rock carries that history forward with three levels of observation decks, 360° views of New York City, The Beam Experience, and SKYLIFT. Pair your skate at The Rink with a visit to Top of the Rock and experience nearly a century of Rockefeller Center history from above and below.
4. Take in 90 Years of Rink History
The Rink’s unique setting is part of what’s made it a New York City tradition for nine decades. The sunken plaza, the gilded Prometheus statue, and the surrounding art-deco architecture of Rockefeller Center have provided a backdrop for generations of holiday memories. Take a moment to step back from the rail and look around. You're celebrating the season in a place where New Yorkers and visitors have done the same since 1936.
5. Start a Tradition of Your Own
The Rink is an iconic part of New York City history. It’s appeared in countless movies and television shows, hosted Olympic skaters and esteemed musicians, and was even once the site of an annual Kennedy party.
But most of The Rink’s ninety years were built from the ordinary moments: a first skate, a family outing that became an annual tradition, or a date that turned into a lifetime of love. Your visit to The Rink is an opportunity to soak in the history and start your own tradition, just like decades of visitors before you.
Here are a few ideas to make it memorable:
- Spend the day at Rockefeller Center: Take a photo with Prometheus at rail level, enjoy the quiet beauty of the Channel Gardens, experience the awe of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and end your visit at Top of the Rock or a rinkside table.
- Find the perfect gifts: There’s no better place to shop for holiday gifts than the epicenter of New York City’s holiday season. After The Rink, visit The Rink Shop for keepsake ornaments and accessories, or stop by the world-class retailers that call Rockefeller Center home.
- Try something new: When life gets busy, even a cozy drink or sweet treat with someone you love can feel like a tradition worth keeping. After your skate, enjoy a meal at the Holiday Chalets or find a seasonal sip or snack at one of the many restaurants just steps from The Rink.
What memories will you create at The Rink this year?
What to Know Before You Go
- Entrance, October 10 to November 13: Check in at the early-season entrance under 30 Rockefeller Plaza on the lower level near Daily Provisions.
- Entrance, November 14 onward: Enter through the new Skate House on 49th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, next to Kate Spade. An ADA-accessible entrance is available through The Rink Shop on the lower level.
- Subway: B, D, F, and M trains to 47–50th Streets/Rockefeller Center.
- Tickets: Book General Skate and VIP Skate in advance at rockefellercenter.com. Skate Now, a flexible same-day slot, is sold onsite only at the Rink Box Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does The Rink’s 90th anniversary season start?
The 2026–2027 season opens with General Skate on October 10. The all-new Skate House and expanded VIP Skate experience open November 14.
Do I need to book General Skate in advance?
Advance reservations are recommended for the best availability. Same-day Skate Now tickets are also available onsite at The Rink Box Office, subject to availability.
What is the new Skate House?
It’s The Rink’s new home base, opening November 14 with dedicated skater storage, streamlined skate pickup and return, and concessions curated by chef Greg Baxtrom, so skaters can warm up and refuel without leaving the building.
What comes with VIP Skate?
VIP Skate includes a 60-minute session with priority ice access, a complimentary skate rental, 20 percent off at The Rink Shop, and entry to two VIP spaces, including a new heated lounge with complimentary warm drinks and snacks.
Can I book a private space at The Rink?
Yes. Holiday Chalets, presented by Balsam Hill, accommodate up to six guests for 50 minutes starting November 6.
