The Rink at Rockefeller Center moves into its rebuilt Skate House on Saturday, November 14, 2026, adding a heated VIP Lounge, dedicated storage and a new 49th Street entrance for its 90th season. Skaters can now choose among four tiers, from a $22 General Skate session to private rinkside Lodges that open November 20.
Key Takeaways
- The rebuilt Skate House opens November 14 with a VIP Lounge, storage for every skater and concessions curated by Chef Greg Baxtrom.
- General Skate starts at $22 for adults and children and $12 for children five and under, with skate rental an extra $12.
- VIP Skate starts at $112 and includes priority ice access, skate rental, warm drinks and snacks and access to the heated VIP Lounge.
- Holiday Chalets for up to six guests run November 6 through January 2, and new 90th Anniversary Lodges for up to eight guests open November 20.
- The Rink closes December 1 and 2 for the Tree Lighting and stays open through March 27, 2027.
- The Rink first opened to the public on Christmas Day in 1936.
The Skate House Changes How Skaters Enter the Rink on November 14
The Rink at Rockefeller Center opened its 90th season on October 10 in a temporary setup, with check-in on the lower level under 30 Rock. That arrangement ends November 13. Starting November 14, skaters enter through the completely rebuilt Skate House on 49th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, where they pick up and return rental skates, store their belongings and buy food without leaving ice level.
An ADA-accessible entrance runs through The Rink Shop on the lower level of the plaza’s southeast side. The closest subway stop is 47-50 Streets-Rockefeller Center on the B, D, F and M lines. The Rink is open daily, and Rockefeller Center notes that session times vary through the season, including on holidays and during special events, so the ticket calendar is the place to check a specific date.
General Skate Starts at $22 for a 60-Minute Session
General Skate remains the entry point. A timed ticket covers 60 minutes on the ice and starts at $22 for adults and children and $12 for children five and under. Skaters who bring their own skates pay nothing more; rentals cost $12. Penguin Skate Aids, push supports that help young or first-time skaters balance, rent onsite and cannot be reserved ahead.
Rockefeller Center recommends booking online, especially for weekends and holiday weeks. For skaters who decide at the last minute, a limited number of Skate Now tickets are sold only at The Rink Box Office, priced $25 to $40 above the standard rate. New Yorkers building a lower-cost holiday day around a General Skate session can add free museum admission through Culture Pass NYC with a library card.
VIP Skate Adds Rental, Priority Ice and a Heated Lounge From $112
VIP Skate opens alongside the Skate House on November 14 and starts at $112. The ticket bundles what General Skate charges for separately or leaves out: a 60-minute session with priority ice access, complimentary skate rental, complimentary warm beverages and snacks, 20% off at The Rink Shop and access to two VIP spaces, including the new heated VIP Lounge with plush seating.
The difference between the two tiers is less about time on the ice, which is 60 minutes either way, and more about the experience around it. For a skater renting skates, the gap between a General Skate ticket and a VIP ticket also narrows once the $12 rental is counted.
Holiday Chalets and 90th Anniversary Lodges Turn the Rinkside Into Private Space
For groups, the two private tiers sit beside the ice rather than on it. The Holiday Chalets, presented by Balsam Hill, run November 6, 2026, through January 2, 2027, and close December 1 and 2. Each decorated chalet seats up to six people for a 50-minute reservation that includes two digital photos, with food and drinks curated by Chef Greg Baxtrom. Walk-ins are accepted when space allows.
The 90th Anniversary Lodges are the season’s new addition. Rockefeller Center says the Lodges open November 20, host up to eight guests and include a champagne toast, commemorative photos beneath the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, the Baxtrom menu and a separate entrance on 50th Street. For both Chalets and Lodges, reservation prices vary by date and time, and a per-person food and drink minimum applies. A Lodge booking pairs easily with a Midtown show, such as Blue Man Group’s first Broadway holiday show at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, a short walk west.
Planning Around the Tree Lighting Closure and Peak Crowds
Two dates matter for anyone planning ahead. The Rink closes December 1 and 2 for the Tree Lighting, and the Chalets close on the same days. Weekends and holiday weeks draw the heaviest crowds, and Rockefeller Center points to early mornings and the final two hours before closing as the calmer windows.
A morning session also leaves the afternoon open for other holiday stops, such as Gingerbread NYC at the Museum of the City of New York. After the holiday rush, The Rink continues through March 27, 2027, giving New Yorkers a quieter stretch of the 90th season to skate.
FAQs
When Does the New Skate House at Rockefeller Center Open?
The rebuilt Skate House opens Saturday, November 14, 2026. From that date, skaters enter on 49th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
How Much Does It Cost to Skate at Rockefeller Center in 2026?
General Skate starts at $22 for adults and children and $12 for children five and under, plus $12 for skate rental. VIP Skate starts at $112 and includes skate rental.
Is The Rink at Rockefeller Center Closed for the Tree Lighting?
Yes. The Rink closes December 1 and 2, 2026, for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, then reopens for the rest of the season.
How Long Is the Rockefeller Center Skating Season?
The 90th season opened October 10, 2026, and runs through March 27, 2027.
