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First show 25 December 1943 - First ever performance in Toledo, Ohio. Holiday on Ice was created by Carl Snyder and Donn Arden, who chose the name Holiday on Ice due to the first show being staged during the Christmas holidays.  Touring show 1945 - The Gilbert brothers become involved in Holiday on Ice, having sold their successful food chain and invested the proceeds into Holiday on Ice's third tour. Together with Morris Chalfen, they use the first portable ice rink to make Holiday on Ice a touring show. Holiday on Ice conquers the world 1947 - Holiday on Ice becomes the first American show to travel abroad, playing to a packed audience in Mexico City. 1949 - Holiday on Ice travels to South America for the first time. 1950 - First ever performance of Holiday on Ice in Europe. 1953 - First ever performance of Holiday on Ice in Japan. Cold War visit 1959 - In the midst of the Cold War,  Holiday on Ice travels to Moscow, becoming the first American attraction to visit the Soviet Union since the two super powers agreed to a cultural exchange programme. Among the spectators is party leader Nikita Khrushchev.1960 - First ever performance of Holiday on Ice in Africa. Madison Square Gardens 1965 - First performance of Holiday on Ice in New York's Madison Square Gardens. Also the year of its first ever performance in the Middle East. New director 1973 - Skee Goodhart takes over Holiday on Ice from former owner Morris Chalfen. 25th anniversary in Europe 1974 - International Holiday on Ice celebrates its 25th anniversary by unveiling its first black star, Leslie Robinson, to European audiences.  London to Amsterdam1980 - Holiday on Ice's administrative offices are relocated from London to Amsterdam and a European production company, based in Bern, Switzerland is formed. 1987 - Holiday on Ice travels to East Germany for the first time. World record 1988 - Holiday on Ice enters the Guinness World Records Book as the most-watched show of all time, as French woman Isabelle Challier becomes the shows' 250-millionth guest. 50th anniversary and another world record 1994 - Over a thousand Holiday on Ice skaters, past and present, celebrate the show's 50th birthday by forming the longest kick line in the world; an achievement which merited another entry in the Guinness World Records Book.  Change of ownership 1996 - Endemol Entertainment, the largest independent television producer in Europe, acquires Holiday on Ice. Stage Entertainment 1999 - Joop van den Ende forms the Stage Entertainment Company, which assumes responsibility for all of his own and Endemol's live entertainment products, including Holiday on Ice.  Holiday on Ice continues to expand worldwide2002 - Holiday on Ice brings the total number of cities it has visited to 620 in more than 80 countries on five continents. With increasing competition in the entertainment industry, it is a continual challenge for Holiday on Ice to maintain its leading position. The new shows offer great-value, modern, total entertainment, attracting a new public, while still appealing to regular visitors. Another new record 2003 - Holiday on Ice welcomes its 300-millionth visitor with a spectacular prize campaign: every show a winner, every city a holidy on ice. 2004 - Holiday on Ice celebrates its 60th anniversary 2005 - This year Holiday on Ice discovered and conquered new territories when the show Hollywood started touring Asia! Although Holiday on Ice has been in Asia before, it has been fifteen years since a show has toured the East. |
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