While a wintery skate around a glittering Christmas tree at one of London's pop-up ice skating rinks is a festive season must, these seasonal rinks start opening up from October. 

Whether you're planning ahead and looking for festive events in London, or just want to get in the spirit of autumn and winter, here are the best ice skating rinks in London, whether you're Torvill and Dean or need to use an aid. 

Where to go ice skating in Lodnon

 

1 Kingdom of Winter, ExCel, Royal Victoria Docks

Covering 21,332 sqm, this brief pop up boasts to be UK’s largest indoor winter experience when it opens. It will have an ice skating rink, fairground rides, and ice trail, circus performance, alpine stalls and two food and drink villages, and it’s easily reached on the Elizabeth line.

Dates: December 8 to January 7, 2024

Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm, seven days a week, closed Christmas

Tickets: From £5.50

Address: Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway E16 1XL

Website: kingdomofwinter.com

2 Ice Rink Canary Wharf

Setting up shop in Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf’s long running rink returns for Halloween, Christmas and Valentine’s Day fun. It will also host themed sessions including 80s 90s and soul nights, and come December, a Christmas tree will take centre stage, suspended under a giant glitter ball. The rink has a transparent roof, so that whatever the weather, you can still feel like you’re gliding around under the crisp wintery air.

Dates: October 21 to February 24, 2024

Opening Hours: 9am-10pm

Tickets: From £17.95/£13.50

Address: Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, E14 5AB

Website: icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk

3 ICE at Kensington Palace

This plush new ice skating rink will be set up in the beautiful grounds of Kensington Palace and will boat a huge festive tree as a centre piece. There will also be sustainable food and drink options, stalls selling seasonal bits and bobs and games for adults and children. There is also a VIP section created in partnership with Cecconi’s by Soho House, for an extra lush time and Fortnum & Mason comes on board as an official retail partner.

Dates: Saturday, October 21 to February 24, 2024

Opening Hours: 9.30am-10.30pm

Tickets: From £19/£16

Address: Kensington Palace Grounds, Bayswater Road, W8 4QP

Website: iceatkensingtonpalace.co.uk

4 Skate at Somerset House, the Strand

A staple in London festive calendar, Skate at Somerset House is back, along with its impressive 40ft Christmas tree. Alongside skating sessions, expect takeovers by the likes of Deptford Northern Soul Club, Pxsst Palace, and RAW SILK, as well as family programming, a skate school and a pop-up second hand clothing boutique by Shelter. Jimmy Garcia, who does the Southbank BBQ pod pop ups, will bring cosy Alpine dining too.

Dates: November 15 to January 14, 2024

Times: Session times from 9am

Tickets: From £10/£8

Address: Somerset House, Strand WC2R 1LA

Website: somersethouse.org.uk

5 Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland has the largest open air ice rink in the UK at 1,765 sq m. Set around Hyde Park’s iconic Victorian bandstand under a canopy of sparkling lights, it’s one of London’s most atmospheric outdoor ice rinks – with live music throughout the day and night. You can also enjoy a hot chocolate or festive drink from the spectator’s platform. The 50-minute skate sessions run on the hour every hour from 10am-9pm and there are penguin skate aids for the little ones.

Dates: November 17 to January 1, 2024

Times: 10am-10pm

Tickets: From £11.50/£8.50

Address: Hyde Park, W2 2UH

Website: hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

6 Glide at Battersea Power Station

Returning for its second season, Glide at Battersea Power Station is wedged between the historic building and the Thames - what a dreamy locale. It is three interconnected rinks surrounding a 30-foot Christmas tree as a centrepiece, that comes with food and drink vendors, fairground rides, photobooths, rink side entertainment and a Jo Malone partnership.

Dates: November 10 to January 7, 2024

Times: Monday to Friday 10am-10pm; Saturday- Sunday 9am-10pm

Tickets: From £12.50/£8.50

Address: Circus Road West, Nine Elms, SW8 5BN

Website: glidebatterseapowerstation.co.uk

7 Westfield Winter Village, White City

Westfield London's Winter Village returns with its hefty 65ft Christmas tree, which is the tallest tree apparently in Europe. The 1,000 metre squared rink will have parent and toddler session, as well as sessions dedicated to children with additional needs and their families. The rink is part of Westfield London's Christmas programme which comes with a whole lot of family-friendly fun and games.

Dates: November 10 to January 7, 2024

Times: 10am-10pm

Tickets: From £11

Address: Ariel Way, Shepherd's Bush, W12 7GF

Website: icerinkatwestfieldlondon.co.uk

8 Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink

Found in the gardens of Henry VIII’s historic home, this open-air ice rink comes with spectacular views of the historic Hampton Court Palace. There are rink-side refreshments, and deals for students, families and key workers.

Dates: November 17 to January 7, 2024

Times: 10am-8.45pm

Tickets: From £19/£14 adult/child

Address: Hampton Court Palace, KT8 9AU

Website: hamptoncourtpalaceicerink.co.uk

9 Skylight’s Rooftop Ice Rink, Wapping

London's festive rooftop ice-skating rink, this one comes with smashing views of east London. Skylight Tobacco Dock's rink also comes with cosy panoramic igloos and huts (reservations are advised for these), festive cocktails and a winter menu to warm you. Also look out for Christmas Cocktail Cinema. 

Dates: November 11 to December 31

Times: 12pm-10pm

Tickets: From £15

Address: Tobacco Dock, Wapping E1W 2SF

Website: skylightbars.com; feverup.com

10 The Queen’s House, Greenwich

Set against the backdrop of a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site and iconic architecture, here, you can soak up the grandeur of Greenwich while you skate. Skate in front of Queen's House, while taking in Greenwich Park and spectacular views across the river to Canary Wharf. Once again, there will be plenty of rink-side drinks and snacks, like luxurious hot chocolate) or head to the festive café if you want to pit your feet up.

Dates: November 23 to January 7, 2024

Times: 11am-8pm

Tickets: From £17/£10

Address: Queen’s House, Greenwich SE10 9NF

Website: rmg.co.uk

11 Ally Pally Ice Rink, Alexandra Palace

The indoor rink at Alexandra Palace is open all year round, but you only get Panto On Ice at Christmas time (Dec 8-11). This year, the rink plays host to Peter Pan which features Disney On Ice performers. Skating discos come with Christmas bangers and mince pies and mulled wine will be available for a post-skate treat.

Times: Opens daily from 11am, closing times vary

Tickets: From £9.50/£8.50 adult/child; concessions available

Address: Alexandra Palace Way N22 7AY

Website: alexandrapalace.com