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Break out your mittens and your inner Michelle Kwan. Central Park’s iconic Wollman Rink is turning 75 and the celebration is about to make history (literally). The rink will officially open for the season on October 24 with a weekend of free skating, performances, giveaways and one very ambitious goal: breaking a Guinness World Record.
On Saturday, October 25, the rink will try to set the record for the World’s Largest Ice Skating Lesson, calling on 600 skaters to hit the ice at once for a 30-minute class led by instructors from the Wollman Rink Skate School. The current record of 523 skaters was set back in 2014, so it’s time for New York to glide past the competition.
To join the attempt, would-be record-breakers can sign up on the Wollman Rink website. Registration is free and early birds are automatically entered to win goodies like free skating passes, private parties and Wollman merch. There’s just one catch: Participants must be at least 10 years old and confident enough on skates to maneuver safely around the rink.
“The Guinness World Records attempt is just the first of many thrilling experiences skaters of all skill levels can expect throughout the season,” said Stacy Shuster, vice-president of business development and community impact at Wollman Rink. “From an upgraded Igloo Village to free community programming to Skate School lessons for all ages—everyone can share in the joy of ice skating at Wollman Rink.”
Nicole Pando, vice president of the Americas at Guinness World Records, added: “Guinness World Records has a mission to document the incredible and we look forward to the opportunity to crown a new generation of record holders in an event that aligns with our core values such as passion, inclusiveness and of course, fun!”
If you’d rather watch the magic from the sidelines, you can still enjoy free admission on both October 24 and 25, plus live figure skating performances, festive snacks and a family movie screening on Sunday, October 26.
The rink will keep the celebrations going all season long, with programs like discounted skating for IDNYC holders, Culture Pass access through NYPL and the return of the cozy, heater-filled Igloo Village.
Whether you’re signing up to make history or just there for the cocoa, Wollman Rink’s 75th season promises to be a very New York kind of winter wonderland—equal parts nostalgia, community and spectacle on ice.