Ice Skating in London
It’s time to lace up those skates and practice those pirouettes because the ice is back baby and it’s time to go ice skating in London. Ok yes there are some permanent ice rinks in London that you can skate on all year round, like the ones at Alexandra Palace and Queens Skate Dine Bowl, but a whole host of ice rinks pop-up for the festive season. Ice skating at Somerset House is one of the best festive activities to do in London, thanks to the photogenic rink and eclectic DJ programme but there are plenty of options when it comes to skating in the capital.
If you like outdoor ice skating in London, the rinks at Leicester Square and at Glide at Battersea Power Station are pitching up for 2025, meaning you can get some Christmas shopping done and enjoy some skating at the same time. Or you can go for a spin at a Tudor palace with the ice rink at Hampton Court Palace. If you’re worried about the London weather putting a dampener on your festive fun, then head to one of the city’s covered rinks – the ice rink in Canary Wharf is covered so you can skate whatever the weather, and it’s going to be here well into the new year too.
CANARY WHARF ICE RINK
Ice ice baby! That’s right, the ice rink is returning to Canada Square Park this festive season and this time it’s going to be open well into the New Year and beyond Valentine’s Day, so you’ve got plenty of time to get your skates on. The rink is covered and adorned with hundreds of fairy lights (with a Christmas tree under a disco ball in situ during the festive season) so you can practise your pirouettes whatever the weather and when you’re done you can grab a well-deserved drink from the bar.
GLIDE AT BATTERSEA POWER STATION
Hit the ice right by the river at Glide at Battersea Power Station. Set against the backdrop of the iconic power station and featuring three interconnecting rinks with a 30ft Christmas tree in the centre, plus a riverside skate trail, it’s one of the most spectacular places to skate in the capital. And once you’ve spun your way round, you can continue the fun on with some festive tipples at The Glass House bar or the rink-side igloos.
SOMERSET HOUSE
Somerset House is probably one of our fave places to go skating in London. As well as being able to whizz around the 900 sqm outdoor rink, you can take to the ice once night falls as they play host to an array of DJs, artists, and clubs. It’s a truly diverse programme with the likes of Foundation FM, Ruf Dug, Sue Veneers, DJ Shortee Blitz and Studio Wayne McGregor taking to the decks. Between the rink-side Skate Lounge and the Chalet, where Jimmy Garcia will be serving up Alpine faves and winter warmers like raclette alongside festive sweet treats, including mince pie cookie cups, from Blondies Kitchen, you’ll have plenty of places to chill between skate sessions.
ICE AT BUSSEY ROOFTOP BAR
An ice rink is coming to the top of the Bussey Building for the first time ever this winter. Replacing the rooftop cinema, the ice rink will take over the Bussey Rooftop Bar, where you’ll be able to skate surrounded by Christmas trees, twinkly lights and some mega skyline views. Things get turned up a notch on Friday and Saturday nights where DJs will be spinning funk and disco. Once you’re done on the ice, you can warm up with mulled wines, spiked hot chocolates, pizzas and more in the heated bar.
HAMPTON COURT PALACE
With a huge rink, a massive Christmas tree, and a Tudor palace as a backdrop, there’s no better place to go for a spin than Hampton Court Palace. This year there’s also ice sculpting displays and DJ sets to enjoy, and you can refuel with hot chocolate, mulled wine and hot toddies at the Skate Exchange Cafe and Bar.
THE QUEEN'S HOUSE
Hit the ice in a UNESCO World Heritage Site as The Queen’s House ice rink, set in the grounds of Royal Museums Greenwich, is back. Enjoy views of the river and Greenwich Royal Park as you glide (or slip and slide) your way around the ice.
An ice rink is coming to Leicester Square this winter thanks to Underbelly. The ice will encircle the square’s Shakespeare statue and there’ll be skating sessions starting every 11 minutes, with plenty of slots for walk-ins. The tickets are £14.50 for adults and £9.50 for kids, with an optional donation in support of Angel Child Fun at The Brain Tumour Charity added to each transaction. Once you’re done on the ice, you can keep the festive feeling by taking a spin around the Christmas market.
The ice rink at Queens may be there all year round but they’re ramping it up for Christmas with party packages including rounds of curling on the ice, and food, cocktails and shakes.
Skating is for life, not just for Christmas, which is why the ice rink at Ally Pally is open all year round. But it gets extra special over the holidays, so whizz round the ice beneath a Christmas tree and reward yourself with a few mulled wines from the Festive East Court Cafe.
