Keen to go ice skating in London this winter? We've rounded up the best pop-up winter ice rinks in London for Christmas — and we're raring to get our skates on! See you on the ice?
Ice Rink Canary Wharf
As always, Ice Rink Canary Wharf is the first to open for the season. By our calculations, it's London's longest ice skating season, running for 20 weeks from October through until February, closing only on Christmas Day. Cleverly, its season covers both the October and February half term holidays. As with all of the rinks in this roundup, post-Christmas sessions tend to be quieter.
The rink offers London skaters a chance to take to the ice in the shadow of Canary Wharf's skyscrapers. Though not as picturesque as some, this rink has a certain metropolitan panche, surrounded by glass and metal rather than trees and grass. Crucially, it has a roof — strung with fairy lights and a shimmering disco ball — so there's no chance of rain stopping play. This year, a few changes have been made, include more space to skate (though we already found it to be one of London's most spacious rinks), a new snack bar and better lighting for evening sessions.
Manual wheelchair users can use the ice rink during all sessions, with dedicated wheelchair sessions planned throughout the season, too. The minimum age for all skaters is four.
Ice Rink Canary Wharf. 25 October 2025-22 February 2026.
Skate Leicester Square ice rink
New for 2025 is Skate Leicester Square, a pop-up skating venue slap bang in the middle of the world-famous square. The Underbelly team, which has run the Christmas in Leicester Square market and theatre for several years, manages the open-air rink, centred around the Shakespeare statue and surrounded by twinkling lights. The market is still nearby, offering food, drink and gift options.
When booking tickets, you'll be given the option to make a £2 donation to Angel Child Fund at The Brain Tumour Charity.
Skate Leicester Square, 1 November 2025-4 January 2026.
Glide ice rink at Battersea Power Station
The backdrop of Battersea Power Station means that one of London's newest seasonal rinks is also one of the most photogenic. Glide sits with the iconic power station building on one side, and the Thames on the other, and consists of three interconnected ice rinks, all centred around a 30ft Christmas tree. Fairground rides pitch up near the ice, and there are lashings of restaurants, cafes and shops for skaters to make use of. Or, stay rink-side for your pre- or post-skate refreshments, at the Glass House bar.
Glide at Battersea Power Station. 7 November 2025-4 January 2026.
Skate at Somerset House ice rink
We don't like to play favourites, but we do have a soft spot for the Skate at Somerset House ice rink, and it's a rather special one this year, as Somerset House itself celebrates its 25th year as a cultural venue.
The rink is located in the Fountain Court, and we're crossing our fingers that the 40ft Christmas tree returns, along with the Skate Lates, Skate School and food pop ups. We'll update this article as more 2025 details are announced.
Skate at Somerset House. 12 November 2025-11 January 2026.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland ice rink
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is back for Christmas 2025, including the ice rink set around the Victorian bandstand — the UK's largest open-air ice rink. If you can block out the fairground madness going on around you, the rink itself is rather charming, with fairy lights strung in a canopy overhead, and occasional acoustic performances by musicians in the bandstand.
Wheelchairs are allowed on this ice rink (motors must be off on electric chairs), with ramps onto and off of the rink.
You'll need to prebook your entry into the Winter Wonderland site — prices vary depending on what time you visit, though some off-peak sessions offer free entry. However, if you spend more than £25 booking attractions (including the ice rink) in the same transaction, your entry automatically becomes free. To confuse things even more, ice rink prices also vary depending when you visit, starting at £11.50 adult/£8.50 child — so you'll need to add a couple of rides or a show to reach that free entry threshold.
Ice rink at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. 14 November 2025-1 January 2026.
Ice skating at The Winter Gardens at Beckenham Place Park
New for Christmas 2025 are The Winter Gardens at Beckenham Place Park in south-east London, a new festive experience with several attractions, including an indoor ice rink right at the centre of the action. Keep an eye on the website for further details and announcements about special themed days.
Ice skating at The Winter Gardens, 15 November 2025-4 January 2026.
Bussey Rooftop Bar ice rink, Peckham
For the first time ever, the roof of Peckham's Bussey Building — home to Rooftop Film Club in the summer — gets its own winter ice rink, for anyone who fancies a festive ice skate with incredible views of London. A heated hideaway bar pops up alongside the rink serving hot chocolate (spiked with festive liqueurs if that's your vibe) and Christmas cocktails, as well as pizzas if all that skating makes you peckish.
The rink is family-friendly, with skate aids available to hire for children. BBC Radio DJs are on the decks every Friday and Saturday evening throughout the season.
Bussey Rooftop Bar ice rink, 17 November 2025-1 January 2026.
Queen's House ice rink Greenwich
Back after a year's hiatus, the Queen's House ice rink returns to Greenwich for Christmas 2025, pitching up in the open-air at the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has a focus on sustainability, claiming to be the only large ice rink in the UK fully powered by the grid (rather than generators or other temporary energy supplies). Also unique is its skate-on, skate-off Pit Lane, available during skating sessions for anyone needing a quick mulled wine or hot chocolate pick-me-up.
The Zero Degrees restaurant alongside the rink serves up more substantial refreshments, including mac 'n' cheese and pizzas. Special sessions, including student nights and toddler skates, are available on selected dates throughout the run.
Queen's House ice rink Greenwich, 21 November 2025-4 January 2026.
Hampton Court Palace ice rink
The Tudor backdrop of Hampton Court Palace makes an enchanting setting for taking to the ice. Once you've glided and twirled to your heart's content, warm up with mulled wine or hot chocolate and festive snacks at the redesigned Skate Exchange Cafe & Bar.
There's plenty of entertainment this year, including DJ sets, live ice-sculpting displays, Santa on Ice and adults-only evenings — all on selected dates.
Skate aids for children are available to hire (£6) on a first come, first served basis. The rink is accessible to wheelchair users, but electric wheelchairs must be set to manual mode while on the ice.
Our top tip: Book a slot to coincide with sunset. If you time it right (as we did — completely accidentally — last year) you can enjoy the sun dipping over the river, and the moon rising over the palace, all within your skating session. Magic.
Hampton Court Palace ice rink. 21 November 2025-4 January 2026
Ice skating at Winter Funland at Olympia
After several years in Birmingham and Manchester, Winter Funland comes to Olympia London for the festive period, complete with funfair rides, a circus show and a giant ice rink. All entertainment including rides and skating are included in one admission ticket (£37 per person) with late-night opening on selected dates throughout the run. The ice rink is for ages four+, with penguin skate aids available to borrow.
Ice skating at Winter Funland at Olympia, 13 December 2025-4 January 2026.
