photo by Pablo Raw
One of my favorite cold weather coming heads up:
“The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink opens November 23, 2026, bringing a seasonal favorite back to the National Mall through March 7, 2027, weather permitting.
The garden’s central fountain becomes a skating rink of more than 9,500 square feet, surrounded by monumental sculptures by artists including Alexander Calder and Louise Bourgeois. Daily skating, group and private lessons by the Washington Elite Skating School, evening hours, and seasonal refreshments at the Pavilion Café offer plenty of options for a winter outing.”
“Ice Rink Hours and Fees
The ice rink will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It is located within the National Gallery’s Sculpture Garden between 7th and 9th Streets along Constitution Avenue NW. After the National Gallery closes at 5:00 p.m., visitors may enter the ice rink via the entrances at Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive near 9th Street.
Skating sessions begin every hour on the hour and last 45 minutes, allowing a 15-minute break for ice maintenance. Two back-to-back 45-minute sessions cost $15 for adults and children 13 and over. Discounted tickets are available for $12 for adults 60 and over, children 12 and under, military service members, and students with a valid school ID.
Season passes are available for $265.
Skate rentals cost $7, and free lockers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional ice rink benefits, including 10% off at the Pavilion Café and more, are available to visitors with a National Gallery of Art membership.
Skating Lessons and Group Packages
Skating lessons for all ages and abilities are available through the museum’s partnership with Guest Services, Inc. Skaters can choose from group lessons, private lessons, and group packages for schools or special events. All lessons are led by Emme Porter, Bruce Porter Jr., and their Washington Elite Skating School team of instructors. Together Emme and Bruce Porter bring over 30 years of skating and coaching experience, and they are internationally recognized for their ice dancing.
Washington Elite Skating School offers three group sessions per season. Walk-in sessions depend on availability. Visit nga.gov/icerink for more details and to subscribe to email reminders about registration and ice rink promotions. Online registration is now available.
The ice rink will close in the event of heavy rain or snow and in extreme temperatures. The National Gallery and Sculpture Garden are closed on December 25 and January 1. For general ice rink information and closing announcements, visit nga.gov/icerink or call 202.216.9397.
Pavilion Café
Situated within the Sculpture Garden, the Pavilion Café offers the perfect complement to any ice rink visit. Enjoy panoramic views of the garden and a seasonal menu of freshly made soups, salads, sandwiches, flatbreads, and desserts. Beverages include coffee, tea, hot chocolate, wine, beer, and specialty coffee drinks. The café also offers seasonal delights such as hot cider, mulled wine, and pumpkin spice lattes with flavored whipped cream. A children’s menu is available for ages 12 and under.
During the ice rink season, Pavilion Café hours are Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information about the Pavilion Café, visit nga.gov/dining or call 202.289.3360.
About the National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, is the nation’s art museum, home to a renowned collection of over 160,000 works of art from antiquity to today. Each year the museum welcomes millions of people in person and online to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Located on the National Mall, admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.”