Wollman Rink in Central Park opened for the season on Wednesday, kicking off months of ice skating that will run daily through March 16, 2027. The rink is marking the occasion with two free Community Days this weekend, waiving admission for anyone who wants to lace up before the cold really sets in.
According to wollmanrinknyc.com, the rink sits near the southeast corner of Central Park, with the closest entrance at 59th Street and 6th Avenue. The site lists October 31 through November 1 as Community Days, when, as the rink's community calendar puts it plainly, “On Community Days, admission is free.” That means both Saturday and Sunday are open to everyone at no cost, a rare break before regular pricing kicks in for the rest of the season.
Once the free weekend wraps, skaters can still find a deal. The rink's WRAP ticket runs $16 for anyone with a physical IDNYC or New York Public Library card, and it bundles admission, skate rental and a cup of cocoa into one price, per the site's planning page. Visitors without that bundle can rent skates separately for $12, with all prices including tax.
What the Season Includes Beyond the Ice
Wollman Rink's offerings go beyond basic public skating sessions. The rink's website says it features skate rentals, lessons, themed skating events, live performances and holiday celebrations throughout the winter. For those planning to make repeat trips, season passes are also available, offering unlimited public skating with up to two visits allowed per day — though passes do not include skate rentals, a detail confirmed on both the rink's homepage and its dedicated season-pass page.
The rink is also leaning into the Halloween timing with a free movie night on what it describes as a big inflatable screen, according to the same source. Anyone heading to the rink should also plan to sign a waiver at the door — the site notes that all patrons, whether skating or not, are required to do so before entering.
Another Rink Option Across the River
Skaters willing to cross into Brooklyn have a second outdoor option on the horizon. Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park is set to return for its third season on November 14, according to iloveny.com. The rink sits at Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, beneath the Brooklyn Bridge.
Pricing there splits by residency: New York City residents pay $16 for admission and $8 for skate rentals, while non-residents pay $20 for admission and $12 for rentals, the outlet reports. Roebling Rink will also offer free admission during its first two opening-day sessions on November 14, running 10:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 2 p.m., and the rink plans to offer private and group lessons through Fireworks Skating Academy during select sessions.
Back in Manhattan, the Time Out report that first flagged this season's opening framed it around the rink's Halloween timing, noting the broader draw of outdoor skating returning to Central Park just as the weather turns. Between Wollman's winter-long run and Roebling's mid-November debut, New Yorkers now have two outdoor rinks to choose from heading into the holiday season.
