Keen to go ice skating in London this winter? We've rounded up the best pop-up winter ice rinks in London for Christmas 2024 — and we're raring to get our skates on! See you on the ice?
Ice Rink Canary Wharf 2024
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 traditionally pretty as some, this rink has a certain metropolitan vibe, 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.
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, 26 October 2024-23 February 2025.
Skate Brent Cross ice rink: Christmas 2024
Brent Cross shopping centre has its first ever ice rink, taking over the John Lewis car park between November and January. We didn't expect much, aesthetically speaking, from an ice rink in a car park next to the North Circular, but it's actually rather lovely — a covered marquee with festive wreaths on the walls, and strings of fairy lights hung from the ceiling. We've only seen it in daylight, but we expect it looks even more magical by night.
In addition to the fun on the ice, look out for special events, including storytime with Santa, throughout December. Food and drink options are available from the centre's shops and restaurants. One thing to be aware of is that there are no signs or any other info about the ice rink within the shopping centre itself, making it a bit tricky to find. You'll want to head for the ground floor of John Lewis, out the external doors near the Christmas tree section of the shop and turn left.
Skate Brent Cross ice rink, 1 November 2024-5 January 2025.
Glide ice rink at Battersea Power Station: Christmas 2024
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 rinkside for your pre- or post-skate refreshments, at the Glass House bar.
Glide at Battersea Power Station, 8 November 2024-5 January 2025.
Skate at Somerset House ice rink 2024
We don't like to play favourites, but we do have a soft spot for the Skate at Somerset House ice rink. Somerset House has a new headline partner for the rink this year, Virgin Atlantic Holidays, with chances to win prizes.
The rink is located in the Fountain Court, and we're crossing our fingers that the 40ft Christmas tree returns. In typical Somerset House style, things are kept lively with Skate Lates in association with rosé wine Rock Angel (please drink and skate responsibly!) on selected evenings. Think a curated line-up of DJs and collectives manning the rink-side deck, providing the soundtrack as you skate late into the evening.
Brush up your skills with Skate School, by National Ice Skate Association instructors, and get youngsters used to the ice with special Kids Club sessions for 6-10 year olds. Wheelchairs users can use the rink during any sessions, with dedicated wheelchair skate sessions, as well as Chilled Out sessions, for anyone who benefits from a quieter and calmer environment, on selected dates.
Returning for 2024 is the Shelter Boutique, a pop-up located near the rink where you can buy pre-loved vintage, designer and high-street clothing.
It wouldn't be Skate at Somerset House without an appearance by chef Jimmy Garcia. Once again, he commandeers the West Wing for a pop-up Alpine-themed restaurant, The Chalet, with various Alps-inspired dishes.
Skate at Somerset House, 13 November 2024-12 January 2025. Tickets available from 2 October 2024.
Ice rink at Westfield London, Shepherd's Bush
For the third consecutive year, an open-air ice rink opens at Westfield London (that's the one in Shepherd's Bush). The real-ice, open-air rink is wheelchair accessible, and the first session of every day is a quiet hour, with fewer skaters, reduced sensory triggers, quieter music and no strobe lighting.
Food, drink and the like is available in abundance at the cafes and restaurants of Westfield.
Ice rink at Winter Village, Westfield London, 15 November 2024-5 January 2025.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland ice rink 2024
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is back for Christmas 2024, 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 prebooking 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.
Ice rink at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, 21 November 2024-5 January 2025.
Hampton Court Palace ice rink 2024
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 Ice Cafe & Bar.
25p from every ticket bought for ice skating this year goes towards supporting environmental initiatives.
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, 22 November 2024-5 January 2025.
JW3 Ice Rink 2024
Jewish community centre JW3 in Finchley once again has a 200m2 outdoor ice rink, complete with twinkling lights and music. It's the only ice rink in London to open on Christmas Day, and has penguin stabilisers and banana toboggans for little ones who might be wobbly on the ice (available to pre-book). There's a kosher cafe on-site, for pre- or post-skate drinks and snacks too.
JW3 Ice Rink, 8 December 2024-5 January 2025.
London's lost festive ice rinks
Looking for other ice rinks you've visited in the past? Some have gone for good. Natural History Museum's ice rink had its final airing in 2021 — the space it occupied for a couple of months each year is being transformed into an urban wildlife garden.
The ice rink in Tower of London's moat is no more either. It didn't go ahead in 2021 as plans for Superbloom were under way, and now the new natural landscape is being kept permanently.
The Queen's House ice rink in Greenwich isn't opening in 2024, but we hope to see it back for Christmas 2025.
