Okay, so if you aren’t a Torvill or Dean or Tonya Harding, then ‘gliding’ might be an exaggeration. There might be a bit more barrier-holding and grasping for the wall. Nevertheless, London’s finest ice skating rinks are still can’t-miss Christmas experiences. So, even if you’re not pirouetting above the ice, you can cautiously inch your way alongside the handrails with the best of them! Get your skates on ASAP, as these are the best ice skating rinks in the capital this year.
1. Skate at Somerset House, open until January 11, 2026
Amongst the most iconic of the city’s ice rinks, the Somerset House rink is not to be missed. Each year, the area transforms into a wonderful winter destination. Their popular Skate Lates evening sessions have returned for 2025, as well as chilled-out sessions (with reduced capacity and lower music), and a Skate Club for kids. That’s not to mention the wealth of food and drink, and even more events to check out.
📍 You’ll find the Somerset House ice rink at Somerset House on the Strand, WC2R 1LA.
🚇 Nearest station: Temple.
🎟️ Details on tickets and more can be found here.
2. Hampton Court Palace, open from November 21 to January 4, 2026
Now this is a right royal skating experience. The sixteenth-century palace makes for a stunning backdrop, particularly when night rolls around and the illuminations begin. The food is hot, the drinks are boozy, and you’ll feel like royalty come night’s end. Given that the royal ice rink at the Tower of London doesn’t look to ever be coming back, the festive occasion here is sure to provide you with your fill.
📍 You’ll find Hampton Court Palace in East Molesey, KT8 9AU.
🚇 Nearest station: Hampton Court (National Rail).
🎟️ Details on tickets and more can be found here.
3. Skate at Leicester Square, open until January 4, 2026 [NEW FOR 2025]
A brand new ice rink arrived this year, as Leicester Square welcomed a rink to its festive space for the first time. They’re running 45-minute skate sessions that kick off every 15 minutes between 10am and 10pm each day throughout the festive period, so you can spin around the ice before sipping on a mulled wine and enjoy a potter around the market afterwards.
📍 You’ll find Skate at Leicester Square, WC2H 7LU.
🚇 Nearest station: Leicester Square.
🎟️ Details on tickets and more can be found here.
4. Bussey Rooftop Bar Ice Rink, open from November 17 to January 1, 2026 [NEW FOR 2025]
Our second brand new entry on the list comes in the form of a big shift for Peckham’s Bussey Rooftop Bar, a favourite spot all year round that will lay claim to London’s highest ice skating rink from November 17. While you might associate it with a cooling drink in the height of summer, it’s time to swap plunging into the depths of winter for ascending to a higher place with a swish carpet of ice. Twirl around as you enjoy some of the panoramic views before removing the skates and holing up in the heated hideaway bar to enjoy a boozy hot chocolate or a winter spritz.
📍 You’ll find it at Bussey Rooftop Bar, SE15 4ST.
🚇 Nearest station: Peckham Rye.
🎟️ Details on tickets and more can be found here.
5. Ice Rink Canary Wharf, open until February 22, 2026
Back again for 2025 is one of the longest-running ice rinks on this list: you can enjoy the action on this ice rink for a whopping 17 weeks. That’s almost four full months! You’ll find the spot over at Canada Square Park, and you’ll be bowled over by their spectacular roof, boasting over 1,000 lights to give you a suitably festive feel. Plus, that sparkling disco ball just adds a wonderful touch.
📍 You’ll find Canary Wharf ice rink at Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, E14 5AB
🚇 Nearest station is Canary Wharf (E14).
🎟️ Tickets can be bought here.
6. Alexandra Palace ice rink, open all year round
While this may be a permanent fixture, whatever the season, in London’s ice rink scene, there are plenty of reasons to choose Ally Pally ice rink as your festive skating spot. The ice rink turns into a festive paradise over the holidays, with mulled wine, and warming food and drink to sip and munch between spins around the rink. It also transforms into a disco dance floor on selected dates, meaning you can belt out some bangers as you glide around the historic hall. Ideal, right?
📍 You’ll find the Alexandra Palace ice rink at Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY.
🚇 Nearest station: Wood Green.
🎟️ Tickets can be bought here.
7. Glide At Battersea, open until January 4, 2026
2021 sadly saw us saying goodbye to the ice rink at the Natural History Museum. Luckily for us, the same team behind it gave us a brand-new one over at London’s impressive Battersea Power Station: Glide At Battersea Power Station. Glide is back again for 2025, and boasts a towering 30ft Christmas tree, vintage fairground rides, twinkling lights, street food galore and more. That’s not to mention the panoramic views of the historic building and a plethora of destinations to eat and shop.
📍 You’ll find Glide at Battersea at Circus Road West, Nine Elms, London, SW8 5BN.
🚇 Nearest station: Battersea Power Station.
🎟️ Tickets can be bought here.
8. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, open until January 1, 2026
Proving once and for all that Winter Wonderland does nothing by halves, Hyde Park is setting up the largest open-air ice rink in the UK once again this Christmas! Skate around the Victorian bandstand under a canopy of glittering lights, and you may even get serenaded. Amidst everything that Winter Wonderland has to offer – from Christmas market stands to hair-raising rides, street food, and more – the ice rink remains one of our favourite parts every year.
📍 You’ll find the Winter Wonderland rink in Hyde Park, W2 2UH.
🚇 Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner.
🎟️ Details on tickets and more can be found here.
9. Queen’s House Ice Rink, from November 21 to January 4, 2026
It’s not often you get to twirl around the ice with the backdrop of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After taking a year off in 2024, the famous Queen’s House ice rink is returning for the festive season in Greenwich, and this time they’ve introduced a new ‘Pit Lane’ where you can break for a hot chocolate or mulled wine before hitting the ice again. You’ll also, of course, be able to grab some of these at the Zero Degrees restaurant, which also offers up pizza, mac ‘n’ cheese, and more to warm you up after a pirouette or two on the rink.
📍 You’ll find the ice rink at Queen’s House, Greenwich, SE10 9NF.
🚇 Nearest station: Greenwich.
🎟️ Tickets can be found here.
10. Winter Funland, from December 13 to January 4, 2026 [NEW FOR 2025]
After its success in Manchester and Birmingham, Winter Funland is making its way down to London for the first time this Christmas. And since there’s a giant set of funfair rides and a circus show, you know they just had to include an ice rink too, for the cherry on the festive icing. A run on the ice will be included in your ticket price to Winter Funland, which is an all-indoor affair that offers the full Christmas works, as well as a food court and festive bar.
📍 You’ll find it at Olympia, Hammersmith Road, W14 8UX.
🚇 Nearest station: Kensington (Olympia).
🎟️ Details on tickets and more can be found here.
11. Winter Gardens at Beckenham Place Park, from November 15 to January 4, 2026 [NEW FOR 2025]
The new Winter Gardens festival at Beckenham Place Park is set to be the ultimate festive destination in South London this winter. And one of its main draws is the impressive covered ice rink on offer. Plus, entry to this wintry wonderland is completely FREE! (Although you do have to pay for the ice-skating…)
📍 You’ll find it opposite the Homestead Courtyard in Beckenham Place Park, BR3 1SY.
🚇 Nearest station: Beckenham Hill.
🎟️ Details on tickets and more can be found here.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best ice rinks in London this festive season. Whether you want to rock it like a royal at Hampton Court or check out a wintry wonderland, this roundup should have you more than covered this year!