Skate Festivals

Skate festivals are relatively new and yet a growing part of the Skate Travel world.  What a deal! You jump on a plane, travel to a fun city, and join hundreds or even thousands of other skaters for a weekend of fun.  Plus, not-for-profit local skate clubs often organize these, so the price is usually unbeatable.  A note of caution: most festivals are geared towards intermediate or better skaters.  Check out these major Skate Festivals.

Big Apple Roll, New York, New York (August)
This event provides a full weekend of activity.   Hosted by the Empire Skate Club of NY, this is a great weekend in one of the greatest inline skating cities.

Eastbourne Skate, Eastbourne, United Kingdom (July)
This free two-day event is England’s largest festival – and perhaps the largest in the world.  15,000 people attend each year.  Organized by the aptly-named and indefatigable Tim Wheals, this is a very unique festival with as much watching as participating. The schedule includes acts such as a skate fashion show, artistic skating, inline hockey, inline basketball, slalom competitions, and even skating long jumps! Plus, the organizers have booked bands for throughout the weekend and have planned a Saturday night skate and beach barbeque.  This is an event to which you can just show up and leave as you please.

Great Es-Skate, Miami Beach, Florida (February)
This event was started in 2001 and immediately impacted the world of skating festivals.  The event is organized extremely well and attracts about 400 skaters each year.  Over the three days of the event (Friday through Sunday), the festival generally includes two Friday Night Skates, a Friday party, a Saturday skate and picnic, a nightclub party (watch out!), and two Sunday skates.  The organizers do a great job of working with the local government and police department and in obtaining sponsors. The event benefits the non-profit Families for Spinal Muscular Atrophy charity and takes place in February in Miami Beach - what more can you want?

Philly Freedom Skate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (June)
This festival is the originator of the skate festival concept in the United States.  Skates generally include a Friday Night Skate, recreational skates, and more advanced skates.  A host hotel and some meals are included. We understand the 2006 event will be the last one!

Skate Boston, Boston, Massachusetts (August)
This skate weekend includes several different skates, lunches, snacks, and evening dance party, and an event t-shirt. The organizers arrange for a host hotel and invite skaters from around the world to participate. Skaters need to pre-register to attend.

Skate London, London, England (June)
This is London's biggest skate festival and includes a slalom cones contest (freestyle and speed), a high jump contest, and other events. It is also coordinated with the London Inline Marathon. For non-competitors, there is also inline hockey and a few beginner lessons.

Skate DC Weekend, Washington DC (May)
This event is organized by the Washington Area Rollerskaters and is a free weekend event!  Of course, that also means there will be "no police escorts, no sag wagons, no goody-bags, and no water trucks" as the website says.  Because of the lack of extras, this skate is recommended for strong intermediate or advanced skaters only. The weekend generally includes a Friday night skate and post-skate party, two Saturday skates and a pizza party, two Sunday skates, and a Monday skate.  Check out the website for details including local hotel lodging.