Rockefeller Center Ice Rink

Overview

The Rink at Rockefeller Center is New York's most iconic seasonal ice-skating rink, operating each year from October through April beneath the golden Prometheus statue and the famous Christmas tree during the holiday season.

Highlights

• The Setting: Skating beneath the towering art-deco buildings of Rockefeller Center, surrounded by the flags of the United Nations, is a quintessentially New York winter experience.
• The Christmas Tree: From late November through early January, the enormous Norway spruce adorned with 50,000 LED lights towers above the rink.
• First Skate of the Season: The annual opening of the rink in October is a beloved New York tradition marking the start of winter.

History

The rink first opened in 1936 as a temporary attraction and proved so popular that it became permanent. It has appeared in countless films, from Home Alone 2 to Elf, cementing its place in popular culture.

Visitor Tips

• Book Online: Sessions sell out, especially during the holiday season. Reserve a time slot on therinkatrockcenter.com.
• First or Last Session: The earliest morning and latest evening sessions are the least crowded.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours including skate rental.