London’s Christmas ice rinks are back for 2026, from the courtyard at Somerset House to a riverside skating trail at Battersea. None of them are free, but prices vary a lot between rinks, days and times. Here’s every outdoor rink with its 2026 dates, so you can pick the cheapest slot.
You can see every rink on our London Christmas markets and ice rinks map, filtered by what’s open on the day you’re going.
London’s Christmas ice rinks for 2026
Skate at Somerset House
The classic: a courtyard rink in front of Somerset House with a 40ft Christmas tree.
- Dates: 11 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, closed Christmas Day.
- Times: 9:30am to 9:30pm.
- Prices: children £11, adults £15 to £28.50 depending on peak or off-peak.
- Nearest station: Temple.
Skate Leicester Square
An open-air rink circling the Shakespeare statue in the middle of the West End, with the square’s Christmas market around it.
- Dates: 31 October 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day.
- Times: until 26 November, weekday sessions start at 12:15pm and weekend sessions at 10:15am. From 27 November, the first session is at 10:15am every day. The last session starts at 9:15pm.
- Nearest station: Leicester Square.
Glide at Battersea Power Station
Three linked rinks around a 30ft tree, plus a 200m skating trail through the trees by the river.
- Dates: 6 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day.
- Times: up to 15 sessions a day of 45 minutes, the first at 9am and the last at 10pm.
- Nearest station: Battersea Power Station.
- Make a day of it: the Power Station is free to explore, and Battersea Park is next door. See our free things to do in Battersea.
The Queen’s House Ice Rink, Greenwich
An open-air rink in front of the Queen’s House, with toddler and quiet sessions.
- Dates: 18 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day.
- Times: 11 sessions a day, the first at 10am and the last at 8pm.
- Deals: children skate free on Tuesdays and students from £10 on student nights. You can change your session up to 24 hours ahead if the weather looks bad.
- Nearest station: Cutty Sark (DLR).
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
A large rink beside the Tudor palace, with adults-only evenings on selected Fridays.
- Dates: 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day.
- Times: from 10am, last skate at 8pm.
- Nearest station: Hampton Court.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
The UK’s largest outdoor ice rink, inside Winter Wonderland, around a Victorian bandstand.
- Dates: 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day.
- Times: 11 sessions a day, the first at 10am and the last at 8pm.
- Good to know: you also need a Winter Wonderland entry ticket, which costs £1 off-peak. Read our Winter Wonderland on a budget guide.
Not returning in 2026
Ice Rink Canary Wharf has announced it won’t be back for Christmas 2026.
Tips for skating for less
- Go off-peak. At rinks that price by peak and off-peak, like Somerset House, off-peak sessions cost much less.
- Use the deals. Free skating for children on Tuesdays at the Queen’s House is the best family deal we’ve found.
- Book ahead. Sessions are timed and December dates can sell out.
- Combine it with something free. Somerset House is a short walk from the Covent Garden lights, and Leicester Square has a free Christmas market around the rink.
Prices and session times are as published by each rink for 2026. Rinks change offers through the season, so check the official site before booking.