Best UK Christmas Ice Skating Rinks Winter 2024
Image Credit: noorda
Visiting an Christmas ice skating rink is fast becoming part of the Christmas festivities - the popularity of Christmas skating just seems to keep growing every year.
This winter there are more temporary Christmas ice rinks than ever. You can skate next to some of the UK's most historic buildings, glide by an iconic landmark, salchow in a shopping centre or even pivot by a Pavillion.
But many if these pop up ice skating rinks offer much, much more than just ice. They offer lots of other fun things to go with the skating - many of the outdoor ice rinks include a Christmas Market as well as cafes, bars and restaurants.
You can warm up after your session on the ice with a snack, a meal, a hot drink or maybe something stronger...
Here are the best festive skating rinks around the UK. There is bound to be one of these temporary skating rinks near you. So wrap up warm and get your skates on!
Just remember that most rinks will be closed on Christmas Day
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Christmas Ice Rinks In England 2024
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
- Winter Funland Manchester
- Skate Manchester
Get your skates on and head down to Manchester Cathedral Gardens which hosts Skate Manchester. Glide through the ice path and admire the glorious Christmas tree right on the rink.
The covered ice rink allows you to enjoy your skating experience whatever the weather, so you can skate without the (distinct) possibility of getting soaked!
- Winter Funland Birmingham
- Glide at Battersea Power Station London
- The Royal Pavillion Brighton Ice Rink East Sussex
- Canary Wharf London
- Bath on Ice
- Warwick Castle, Warwickshire
- Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink Derby
- Somerset House London
- Windsor Ice Rink Alexandra Gardens Berkshire
- Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland York
- The Eden Project Cornwall
- Ice Skating in Calverley Grounds Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent
- Reading Winter Wonderland
- Hampton Court Palace East Molesey Surrey
- Ice Skate Birmingham
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland boasts the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink in the heart of London’s Hyde Park, set under a picturesque canopy of twinkly lights and built around the iconic Victorian bandstand.
You can also a dventure down the rabbit hole with the classic story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland taking over Magical Ice Kingdom, featuring larger-than-life ice and snow sculptures.
Plus you can have a go on the fairground which has Santaland rides for younger kids and thrilling rides for older kids and adults, shop in the Christmas market, see Cirque Bezerk or Zippo's Circus and much more.
Winter Funland at Manchester's BEC Arena in Trafford Park includes funfair rides, traditional carousels, helter skelters, a circus show, Santa's Grotto and plenty of places to get food and drinks.and not forgetting the ever popular Dodgems.
The ice skating rink is enormous, Penguin skate aids are available for younger kids and skate instructors are around to advise.
It opens on 15th December and runs until 26th December 2024.
Winter Funland Birmingham can be found at Birmingham's NEC and includes funfair rides, traditional carousels, helter skelters, a circus show, Santa's Grotto. Plus there are some more adventurous rides than at the sister site im Manchester. and plenty of places to get food and drinks - and not forgetting the ever popular Dodgems.
The is ice skating rink of course, with Penguin skate aids for younger kids and skate instructors are around to advise. It runs from 7th December 2024 – 1st January 2025.
Glide at Battersea Power Station is returning for 2024 after it's successful visit for the last two years.
At this iconic London building you can enjoy unrivalled views of the Thames as you glide around three interconnecting rinks surrounded by twinkling lights and a spectacular 30ft Christmas tree.
When you've finished skating you can watch live entertainment, hop on a vintage funfair ride, enjoy a mulled wine or grab something to eat at The Glass House.
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The Royal Pavilion Ice Rink once again hosts it's popular Ice Rink for 2024 with opening date to be announced.
Held in the grounds of Brighton's magnificent pavillion, Penguin Skate Aids are available for kids under 1.3m and skate hire is included.
Romantic and child-friendly, when you have finished skating you can visit the rinkside Bar & Kitchen for beautiful food and drinks whether you want a snack, lunch or dinner. This year powered entirely by Green Energy so it is better for the environment too.
Canary Wharf Ice Rink is back again in it's fabulous Canada Square Park location for 2024 with opening date to be announced. Surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants, Canary Wharf Ice Rink is a unique skating experience, surrounded by stunning architecture and enchanting greenery.
Skate hire is included, and early birds who arrive for the first session of the day can skate at a discounted price.
Head down to Royal Pavilion, Royal Victoria Park for Bath on Ice. Non-skaters can play Glow Golf or visit the Moguls bar which will be serving delicious food, spicy mulled wine and hot chocolate.
With wintery music, a cosy bar, and seasonal drinks, you can enjoy this outdoor rink day or night. Opening in November 2024.
As part of Christmas at Warwick Castle, the castle's majestic east front transforms into a magical skating rink for the ultimate festive experience on the ice.
Glide around underneath the majestic Guy’s Tower and as you skate, you can enjoy the sound of your favourite Christmas classics.
It's open from 26th November 2024 to 5th January 2025
Right in the centre of Derby is the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink where you can skate in a covered real ice rink with views of the river, Museum of Making and Cathedral. Sitting and standing skate aids are available.
So join in the fun by relaxing amongst the twinkling lights and listening to the festive playlist. and afterwards you can grab a hot chocolate or a mulled wine.
Somerset House Ice Rink lets you skate beneath the stars as Somerset House ice rink returns in November 2024. Choose from open sessions, kids specials, club nights or learn the basics at Skate School. Or shop at Fortum's Arcade then eat at Fortnum's Lodge.
Last year's popular Skate Lates are returning this Christmas, with a specially curated programme of music nights throughout the season - the perfect start to your weekend.
The hugely popular Windsor Ice Rink returns to the historic Alexandra Gardens next to the river Thames this year from 15th November 2024.
A host of family festive attractions including Dodgems, a large main covered rink and a smaller open air rink there is something for skaters of all levels of experience, along with fairground rides, bar and cafe, all within site of Windsor's historic castle.
While you are in Windsor you could make a day of it with these 10 Free Things To Do In Windsor - some of them are right next door to the ice rink!
York Ice Rink - The Ice Factor returns this year to York Designer Outlet. The ice rink is just the centre piece of Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland surrounded by a festive market and traditional fair rides.
With its 975 sq m of real ice and 30ft high sparkling Christmas tree as its centrepiece, the rink is Yorkshire's largest outdoor ice rink and there is a bar and cafe where you can warm up after you have skated.
The Eden Project's Christmas ice skating rink is the only indoor rink in Cornwall and returns to the magnificent location next to the biomes in Cornwall this year, opening on 19th October and running until 23rd February 2025 - so you can skate right up to Febrary Half Term!
There are a range of sessions for different standards of skater including parent and toddlers, junior sessions and school groups, so start badgering the head teacher now!
They also allow wheelchair users on the ice, children's skating aids are available for hire, and you can book a course of skating lessons too!
Tunbridge Wells Ice Rink this year returns to Calvery Grounds next to the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells.
Skate in an open-air real ice rink with a bar & cafe where you can warm up and refuel after a skating.
There is a programme of events at this ice rink including music, story telling and Christmas wreath-making workshops. Opens 1st December 2024.
Reading Winter Wonderland can be found at Hills Meadow in Reading. As well as a covered ice rink you can visit the Apres Ski bar, Santa’s grotto and try a wide variety of festive food and drinks to keep you full of festive joy.
Plus there is a fairground for all the family and The Bavarian Slide - an exciting slide where you ride down in a rubber ring!
Get down there from Saturday 9th November 2024 - Sunday 5th January 2025.
At the historic Hampton Court Palace you can skate against a backdrop of one of the greatest palaces on earth – Henry VIII's home, Hampton Court Palace which boasts one of the longest established open-air ice rinks.
The rink epitomises the very best in festive fun with skate aids available and a cafe bar on site too. Be transported to one of the country's most scenic skating settings, with spectacular views of the Thames-side Tudor palace.
It opens on 22nd November 2024 until 5th January 2025
Ice Skate Birmingham is located in central Birmingham at Centenary Square. They offer skate aids and there is also a big wheel to rode on as well.
With a magical onsite Ice Lounge to warm up whilst you watch your loved ones and plenty of cover under this indoor ice rink - you can skate any time, any weather.
Christmas Ice Rinks In Scotland 2024
- Edinburgh’s Christmas
Edinburgh’s Christmas transforms the beautiful city centre with festive fun for all the family, including traditional Christmas Markets, funfair rides, spectacular live outdoor events, delicious food and drink, plus so much more.
And of course the ice skating ring which can be found at Edinburgh’s famous George Street on a magnificent alpine ice rink. Skating aid penguins are available for younger children at an additional cost.
Christmas Ice Rinks In Wales 2024
- Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland
Cardiff Castle hosts Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland with an Ice Rink and Ice Walk, set within the beautiful grounds of the Castle against the backdrop of the Norman Keep.
There will be lots of fun penguin skate aids for the kids with festive food options when you've finished skating.
Opening on 14th November 2024 in runs throughout December unil 5th January 2025.
- S K A T E at ICC Wales
Newport South Wales is the home of S K A T E, and indoor, synthetic ice rink which returns for Christmas 2024. Then you can eat, drink and be merry at the festive food and drink stalls.
journey through magical illuminated light tunnels and falling ‘snow’. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or beginner, this is an experience you won’t want to miss!
Looking for the perfect gift? Visit the Christmas gift stalls which will have a wide variety of unique and festive items.
- Swansea Waterfront Winterland
You don't just get the chance to ice skate at the Swansea Waterfront Winterland!
There are also fun fair attractions, and the Alpine Village food and drink area are making a return. There are special accessible sessions available and lots of skate aids for the little ones.
Christmas Ice Rinks In Northern Ireland 2024
- Share Village on Ice, Co. Fermanagh
It's a bit different, but Northern Ireland boasts a festive Roller Rink!
Share Village in Co. Fermanagh has Christmas roller skating as part of it's Christmas Wonderland for 2024. You can also visit Santa in his Grotto, have a go on the bouncy castle and meet Santa's donkeys as well.
After your skate you can enjoy seasonal drinks and snacks too
There are no actual Christmas Ice Rinks listed for Northern Ireland at present. If you know of one near you, let us know!
Last updated 4th August 2024