Somerset House Ice Rink Returns This Winter: A Local Guide
Somerset House Is Back as the Winter Rink to Beat
Anyone who has spent a December evening on the Strand will know the feeling. The lights go up across the historic courtyard, the skaters glide around the fountain, and the whole place suddenly feels like a village square rather than a central London landmark. From Wednesday 11 November, the rink returns to the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, and it will run until Sunday 10 January 2027. The big Christmas tree and gift shopping stalls are back too, so it is hard to think of a better place to start the festive season without leaving the city.
For those of us travelling from further out, the journey is simpler than it looks. Richmond residents can take the District line straight to Temple or Embankment, both a short walk from the courtyard. Readers in Whitton and Hounslow can connect via the Piccadilly line to Covent Garden or Holborn, then walk along the river. Allow around 45 minutes door to door, and factor in extra time on weekend afternoons when the queues around the entrance grow long.
The courtyard matters for another reason. It is one of the few places in central London where you can enjoy a free public space, with the Somerset House exhibitions opening up alongside the seasonal attractions. The rink is the headline, but the setting is what keeps visitors coming back year after year.
The People and Groups Shaping the Winter Programme
The programme owes a lot to the community groups and artists who bring it to life. Skate Lates runs every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday until 11pm, with DJ sets from South Asian collective Daytimers, community station Netil Radio, youth culture platform Gauchoworld, BUMPAH and Latinx queer party 2CPERREA. For local music fans, these are opportunities to hear grassroots collectives on a major public stage rather than only in club basements. There is also a night of contemporary Sámi music from Matti Aikio, who co-curates the free Sámi exhibition running inside the building.
On Sunday 23 November, the rink hosts its first ever K-Pop Party, made in partnership with the Korean Cultural Centre UK. DJ EMKAY will play everything from BTS and BLACKPINK to emerging acts, which should make it one of the busiest sessions of the season. Young skaters and their families will be especially well served by Skate School, where coaching for adults, teens and children runs every weekend morning, led by the team that trains Team GB’s future skaters.
The courtyard traders are part of the story too. The Chalet by Jimmy Garcia serves raclette scraped fresh from the wheel, and the Shelter Boutique pop-up sells donated stock from major brands, with every purchase supporting the housing charity. Small businesses taking part in pop-ups like these often need clear records of sales, stock and costs. Traders in the area can get practical help from local Hounslow bookkeeping specialists, who can set up simple systems so that seasonal income is easy to track and report.
What Local Readers Should Know Before They Go
Tickets range from £11 to £28.50 and are priced by demand, which means the cheapest slots disappear fast. My advice is to avoid the weekend afternoon crush and book a midweek Late instead. A Wednesday or Thursday evening gives you the atmosphere of the music nights without the packed ice, and you can often find better value at off-peak times. Note that extended sessions are now available for the first time in November, so if an hour sounds too short, check those slots before you buy.
Accessibility has been built into the schedule. There are reduced-capacity relaxed sessions for skaters who prefer a quieter rink, and dedicated wheelchair hours to make sure everyone can enjoy the ice. If you or someone you know needs these sessions, booking early is the safest bet, as they are likely to fill up.
The courtyard is free to enter, so you can have a look at the tree, the stalls and the food without buying a ticket. This is a good option for families with younger children who may want a short visit, or for anyone who simply wants to see the lights. For full details, dates and booking, visit somersethouse.org.uk. The rink runs from 11 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, so the sooner you plan, the more choice you will have. Keep an eye on the K-Pop night on 23 November, which is likely to sell out quickly.
Source: The Ice Rink Is Returning To Somerset House This Winter
