Skate Leicester Square 2025: London’s Newest Ice Rink You’ll Actually Want to Visit
Every year, London gets a little more magical when winter rolls around. Fairy lights turn streets into storybooks, mulled wine returns like an old friend, and even the daily chaos of the city feels softer. But this year, there’s something brand new lighting up the capital and it’s happening right in the middle of Leicester Square.
Yes, you read that right: London’s most famous entertainment square is getting its very first ice rink.
If you’ve ever wandered through the Leicester Square Christmas Market and thought, “This would be perfect with a bit of skating,” well 2025 is your year. The team behind some of London’s biggest winter events, Underbelly, is bringing the magic of ice to the heart of the West End. And trust me, this one’s not just another rink it’s shaping up to be the experience of the season.
The Big Reveal: Leicester Square Goes Icy
From 1 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, Leicester Square transforms into Skate Leicester Square, a brand-new outdoor ice rink set among twinkling lights, market stalls, and the energy of London’s West End.
It’s the first time Leicester Square has ever hosted an ice rink a huge addition to the city’s festive lineup alongside Somerset House, Canary Wharf, and Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland.
And here’s the best part: it’s designed to feel intimate rather than overwhelming.
Set around the historic statue of William Shakespeare in the square’s centre, the rink will blend tradition with modern design. Think softly glowing lights, Christmas trees, and that unmistakable buzz of Londoners laughing, slipping, and gliding together under the stars.
What Makes Skate Leicester Square Special
Sure, London has its fair share of ice rinks, but this one’s different.
Instead of sprawling across a park or being tucked behind a hotel courtyard, Skate Leicester Square sits at the crossroads of London’s festive heart surrounded by theatres, lights, music, and food stalls.
Sessions run every 15 minutes, giving visitors plenty of flexibility. Each one lasts 45 minutes, so there’s time to get your balance, pose for that perfect mid-skate photo, and still make it to your dinner reservation or theatre show nearby.
The design itself makes it a visual standout. The rink’s lighting will reflect against the surrounding buildings, while the central Shakespeare statue gives it a charmingly old-meets-new atmosphere. It’s not just an ice rink; it’s a stage and Leicester Square, as always, knows how to put on a show.
The Heart Behind the Glitter
Amid the excitement and sparkle, there’s a deeper story to this year’s event and it’s one worth sharing.
Skate Leicester Square is partnering with The Angel Child Fund, a cause close to Underbelly co-founder Ed Bartlam’s heart. The fund was set up in memory of his son Alfie, who passed away from a brain tumour in 2019, and it supports The Brain Tumour Charity the UK’s leading organisation dedicated to research and support for those affected.
That means every ticket you buy and every hot chocolate you sip helps fund life-saving research and awareness.
It’s a reminder that behind every glittering Christmas event, there can be real compassion. And somehow, that feels exactly in the spirit of the season.
The Experience: What to Expect
Picture this: you’re gliding across the ice, fairy lights reflecting on the rink, the air crisp but not cruel, laughter spilling from every direction. The scent of roasted chestnuts and cinnamon lattes floats in from nearby stalls, while buskers and street performers bring music to the edges of the square.
That’s what Skate Leicester Square promises a full sensory experience.
It’s more than skating. You can make a whole evening out of it.
Before or after your session, wander through the Leicester Square Christmas Market for festive gifts, hot drinks, and sweet treats. You’ll find everything from artisan fudge and mulled wine to handmade ornaments and wool scarves.
And when the cold catches up with you, Leicester Square’s theatres, restaurants, and bars are just steps away so you can turn your skate into a full festive date night.
Planning Your Visit
Here’s what you need to know to make the most of it:
Location: Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LU
Dates: 1 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Session Length: 45 minutes
Session Frequency: Every 15 minutes
Opening Hours: 10am–10pm daily (closed Christmas Day)
Tickets: £14.50 (adults), £9.50 (children), £40 (family ticket)
Tickets Available: Online via skateleicestersquare.com or at the on-site box office
Skate hire is included in your ticket, and lockers are available for a small fee. There are dedicated staff to help beginners, and penguin aids for children who want to join in safely.
If you’re coming in a group or planning a special celebration, you can book private sessions in advance but don’t leave it too late. This is the event everyone will want a piece of.
Why This Rink Feels Like a London Original
London’s winter scene already has icons: Somerset House is all elegance, Canary Wharf is sleek and modern, Hampton Court Palace brings the royal backdrop, and Winter Wonderland delivers chaos and crowds.
But Leicester Square? It’s intimate, theatrical, and unmistakably London.
You’re skating where red carpets roll out, where film premieres light up the night, and where the spirit of entertainment has lived for over a century. This rink doesn’t just sit in the city it belongs to it.
And because it’s wrapped up with Leicester Square’s famous Christmas Market, you get the perfect festive mix in one place: skating, food, gifts, and the bustle of central London.
It’s also one of the easiest rinks to reach surrounded by multiple tube stations (Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, and Charing Cross) and countless bus routes. You don’t need to trek through a park or navigate massive queues. It’s London’s most accessible winter treat.
The Buzz Around Town
Discover Leicester Square has called the new rink “a spectacular addition to London’s festive calendar,” and it’s easy to see why.
Underbelly’s track record with Christmas in Leicester Square, Edinburgh’s Fringe events, and London’s Southbank festivals means this won’t be just an ice rink. It’ll be an experience built on creativity and care.
And with part of the proceeds going to such a meaningful cause, Skate Leicester Square might just become one of those London Christmas traditions that stays for years to come.
Final Thoughts: A New London Tradition in the Making
London never stands still and that’s what makes it magical. Every year, it adds a new chapter to its story, and Skate Leicester Square feels like the next one.
It’s got everything that makes London winter unforgettable: the lights, the laughter, the sense of community, and that touch of wonder that makes even lifelong Londoners feel like tourists again.
So whether you’re here for a festive date, a family outing, or just to soak up the atmosphere, this is one you won’t want to miss.
And as you glide past Shakespeare’s statue under the city lights, remember this isn’t just another ice rink. It’s a celebration of London’s heart, its creativity, and its kindness.
Want More London Magic?
If you love finding new things to do in the city from secret winter pop-ups to Christmas events that actually feel local come follow me on Instagram @london.yaar for real London guides, hidden gems, and festive spots you won’t find in tourist brochures.
Let’s make this Christmas in London your most unforgettable one yet.