When it comes to celebrating Christmas, London goes all out. The lights, the markets and of course, the urban ice rinks.
So, whether you’re happy twirling like a pro or clinging to the barrier for dear life, London has an ice skating experience for everyone.
Fresh from my own Christmas trip to the capital city this week, I rounded up the best Christmas ice rinks in London.
Get your skates on and let's go.
The Best Christmas Ice Rinks in London
Somerset House - The Classic Winter Skate
iStock Photo / Anatoleya
When?: Wednesday 12 November 2025 to Sunday 11 January 2026.
Somerset House is the jewel in London’s crown when it comes to winter ice rinks.
Framed by dramatic neoclassical architecture, the rink is lit up by fairy lights, overlooked by a 40-foot tree and is as picturesque as it gets.
Continuing the party, it also hosts a lineup of music nights, offers gourmet dining with an alpine-inspired pop-up and après skate evenings.
Pro tip: Book early - tickets disappear faster than Malteser Celebrations at a family get-together.
Canary Wharf - Ice Skating Under the Lights
iStock Photo / coldsnowstorm
When?: Monday 10 November 2025 to Sunday 22 February 2026.
Let's talk business - tucked away in London's financial district, the Canary Wharf ice rink is a wintery treasure.
It’s surrounded by skyscrapers and twinkling lights, just the thing if you fancy skating in a futuristic Christmas movie. Once you've worked up an appetite on the ice, there's a bar and restaurant on-site to recharge your batteries.
Organisers have also made improvements for the 2025/26 season, based on last year's visitor feedback. These include lower prices for certain sessions, a bigger rink and improved changing areas and lighting.
Very generously, it's also open for just over three months. So if you don't bag a ticket for busy spots such as Somerset House, you need not miss out on the winter skating fun.
Glide Battersea - Parks and Power Stations
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When?: Monday 10 November 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026.
Battersea Power Station is one of London's most recognisable sights. And until early January 2025, you can skate past it in all its glory, complete with stunning views over the Thames.
Outshining its one-rink competitors, Glide has three interconnected rinks, overlooked by a 30-foot Christmas tree.
Grab a hot drink and thaw on-site at the Glass House bar while watching fellow skaters glide by.
Or head over to the vintage-style fairground and treat yourself to a snack from street vendors selling food from pancakes to poke.
Alexandra Palace Festive Skate Experience
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When?: Thursday 11 December 2025 to Monday 5 January 2026.
Alexandra Palace's ice rink is open year-round, but it gets a festive makeover in December. Enjoy this iconic venue under a giant Christmas tree, complete with twinkling lights, festive music and Christmassy snacks from the cafe.
It's also up on a hill, so you'll get some fantastic wintery views of London while you're there.
On that note, at Airalo, we offer travellers the best eSIMs for Europe, so you can share your snaps and stay online without falling down.
Pro tip: The car park can get packed, so take public transport if you can.
Get on the Ice at Winter Wonderland
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When?: Friday 14 November 2025 to Thursday 1 January 2026.
It might not be your cup of tea if you dislike crowds. But there's no denying that Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland delivers winter in droves and is a surefire bet for feeling Christmassy.
This year, Winter Wonderland's ice rink is open until early January and draws crowds with food, drink, live music, fair rides, ice sculpting workshops, and even a bar made entirely of ice.
Perfect stuff for superpowering your winter photos.
Ice Skating Outside of London
iStock Photo / Michaela Fainova
Hampton Court Palace - Skating Royalty
When?: Friday 21 November 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026.
Feel like skating in front of a Tudor palace? Hampton Court Palace ice rink is worth the short trip from London for the visual drama alone.
The rink itself is supersized, so there's plenty of room to show off your spins. Or, let's be honest, to fall flat on your face.
And of course, you can enjoy wintery snacks and sipping mulled wine or hot chocolate while overlooking one of the most beautiful buildings and gardens in the country.
Share Your Skating Snaps With Ease This Holiday Season
Everyone knows half the fun of ice skating is sharing your photos and videos afterwards.
In winter 2025, the best way to stay online while you're abroad is with an eSIM from Airalo. Instead of using traditional SIM cards, eSIMs offer a faster and more convenient way to buy local data on your winter travels.
Visit the Airalo store to explore eSIMs for the UK and Europe ahead of your ice skating adventures; at least your connection will remain upright, even if you don't.
