Ready for a third round of ice-skating celebration all around the world? The International Skating Union (ISU) is excited to announce the return of the World Ice Skating Day (WISD) on December 15, 2024! This annual worldwide event brings the magic of ice skating to everyone, welcoming skaters of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to unite on the ice for a moment of pure joy and discovery. Building on the resounding success of the previous two editions – the upcoming event promises three times more fun with iconic skating celebrities, new exciting partners and additional countries joining the movement.

The World Ice Skating Day (WISD), created and organized by the International Skating Union (ISU), is a one-day global festival dedicated to Ice Skating. This year’s annual celebration will be held on December 15, 2024. The key objective is to make Ice Skating sports accessible to everyone – first-timers, amateurs, professionals, retired skaters or skaters with disabilities – in a fun and safe environment. Ice rinks and clubs all over the world open their doors to offer a wide range of entertaining free activities to share their passion for the sports and create a memorable experience on the ice.  

ISU President, Jae Youl Kim, is excited to see the WISD initiative grow bigger year after year: “Riding on the waves of success from 2022 and 2023, I am delighted to announce the third edition of the World Ice Skating Day (WISD), which will be celebrated on 15 December 2024 across the globe. The International Skating Union (ISU) is thrilled to invite skaters of all ages and skill levels for a day of fun and exciting ice-skating festivities. In its inaugural year, WISD was celebrated in 47 countries, and in 2023, that number grew to 53. This growing success of WISD has only been possible thanks to the concerted efforts of our enthusiastic member federations. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners and participating ice rinks for making this event possible. Through this worldwide celebration, we hope to introduce potential future superstars to our sport and inspire more people to experience the joy of ice skating”.

ISU President, Mr. Jae Youl Kim, at the World Ice Skating Day celebrations in Lausanne, Switzerland © ISU

How to WISD 2024?

All ISU Members - together with national skating rinks and clubs - are invited to join the WISD global movement by registering their local initiatives on the dedicated section of the website (see here) and filling the hosting rights form. Once the ISU validates the application, the following support material is provided:  

The WISD 2024 Branding Toolkit is sent to the participating entities to help them design, dress up and promote their events with the vibrant WISD colors and distinctive communication guidelines. Ready-to-use artworks for venue branding, printing material, digital marketing assets, merchandise, events ideas guide are all provided as part of the guidelines. The WISD 2024 Branding Toolkit can only be downloaded once organizers have registered their event on the WISD website. Organizers are encouraged to be creative in the type of activities they plan in accordance with the WISD guidelines. 

WISD Guidelines Manual: the reference book to organize an event.

The “Best Practices” section compiles a selection of reports from last years’ participating countries and provides future organizers with a library of inspiration. 

WISD Icebox (“Ideas Guide”): tricks and tips to get inspiration, strategize and design a WISD event.

Registrations for organizers are now open here. 

World Ice Skating Day 2023 celebrations at the iconic City Park Ice Rink in Budapest, Hungary © HNSF

Where to WISD 2024?

The World Ice Skating Day website is the place where organizers and participants can find all information related to the event. To discover where in the world the events are happening this year, use the “Event Locator” section. 

World Ice Skating Day 2023 celebrations at the One Ice Skating Arena, Batam, Indonesia © FISID

Who are the WISD Ambassadors 2024?

The purpose of World Ice Skating Day Ambassadors for the International Skating Union (ISU) is to promote and create global awareness of ice skating by engaging diverse communities and inspiring participation in the sport. WISD Ambassadors help bridge the connection between the sport and potential new enthusiasts, share their passion and experiences, and highlight the inclusivity and joy of skating. They play a crucial role in spreading knowledge, fostering interest, and celebrating the day as a unifying event for skating fans and newcomers alike. During the WISD 2022, world-renowned Canadian professional Figure Skater Elladj Baldé lent his support to the cause as WISD Global Ambassador using his platform “Skate Global Foundation” to raise awareness.  For the second edition, American Figure Skating Coach Michelle Hong and Michaela Scalisi, renowned Wild Ice Skater known as Michaela Carrot, were the World Ice Skating Day Icons. Inclusive Skating’s Julia Sweeney-Baird was the WISD Inclusive Icon for 2023 edition.

This year’s WISD Ambassadors will be announced shortly. Stay tuned! 

World Ice Skating Day 2023 celebrations in Vietnam © Skating Federation of Vietnam

Why to WISD 2024?

Similarly as the past two years, the ISU is organizing a “Best World Ice Skating Day 2024” contest that rewards the most successful events based on specific criteria relating among others to the creativity efforts implemented and the on-site/digital audience attracted. Participants are welcome to compete in two categories (less/more than 500 persons in attendance) and have a chance to get a cash prize. Last year’s winners included Hungary (Hungarian National Skating Federation) winning the Best WISD in the “more than 500 persons in attendance” category followed by Vietnam (Skating Federation of Vietnam) crowned winner in the “less than 500 persons in attendance”. Mexico won the “Spirit of WISD 2023” Award from having just one participating rink in 2022 to a nationwide celebration across 11 ice rinks in 6 states in 2023 (read here).

Shall we #WISDance 2024?

Being a festival with a fun atmosphere, the WISD wouldn’t be the same without its #WISDance, a skating choreography tailor-made for the event, which is created every year by another appointed club. Shared with all WISD participating countries worldwide, it consists of easy-to-learn skating dance moves that anyone with basic skating skills can perform. Indonesia won last year’s Best #WISDance2023 and has the honour of choreographing this year’s #WISDance2024.

Do the #WISDance 2024 to have a chance to win this year’s cash and prizes!

Let’s WISD 2024!

The World Ice Skating Day comes with a multiplicity of activities, freely open to everyone, making each event unique. The typical WISD activities include: 

• Free skating lessons for kids and beginners
• Coaching sessions on skills and injury prevention to amateur skaters 
• Free skating for the entire family
• Pop-up shops renting skates and other related equipment
• Food trucks and refreshment corners 
• DJ and musical arrangements
• Encounters with retired competitive skaters
• Skating galas/exhibitions of renowned skaters from the region

This year is expected to bring new fun and festive activities across the world. 

To know more about the World Ice Skating Day, visit the website here. 

For all latest updates about the ISU events and initiatives, visit the ISU Home of Skating and ISU Corporate Inside News.