Sporting stars were out in London in a bid to encourage more people to get involved in sport as part of 2012 Day.
Ade Adepitan, Ken Livingstone and Jayne Torvill launched the event
Ade Adepitan, champion wheelchair basketball player, and Olympic ice dance star Jane Torvill launched Silver Blades.
The Mayor of London, who will join them at Somerset House, hopes the event will get more Londoners ice-skating.
The event is one of a number being organised for 2012 Day to mark the city's bid for the Olympic games.
Organised by the Somerset House Trust, Silver Blades is a community skating programme to provide 600 people, of all ages, the opportunity to try ice-skating.
Instructors will be on hand to help beginners and bosses at Somerset House will ensure that the rink is not too crowded for extra safety.
Free skating sessions will also be offered to London schools.
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: "Londoners are passionate about sport and London's bid to host the 2012 Olympics is a superb opportunity to promote active participation in sport and healthy physical activity.
"We have invited older people, disabled Londoners and other groups to take part in Silver Blades and we've got the backing of two of Britain's Olympic stars, so I hope they will be encouraged to try it out."
2012 Day on 20 December has been organised to encourage people to register their support for London's bid for the Olympic games.
Giant messages will be projected on to the BT Tower urging people to officially register their support for the UK capital's bid.