Leicester Square Holiday Market: Skate and Shop From Oct 31

Skate Leicester Square opens on Saturday, 31 October 2026 and runs every day until Sunday, 3 January 2027, except Christmas Day. It puts a circular ice rink, run by Underbelly, in the middle of Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LU, with Christmas market stalls and a seasonal bar around the edge. The rink's own site says that the standard opening hours are 10am to 10pm, with the first session at 10.15am and the last session at 9.15pm, and it is one of the few London holiday markets that is open from late October.

The organisers describe a beautifully designed circular rink in the heart of the West End. After your skate, they suggest a steaming hot chocolate, a mulled tipple or something sparkling at the seasonal bar, and then a wander through the Christmas market stalls, which are filled with presents and traditional treats. The order matters: skate first, while your legs are fresh, and shop afterwards, because carrying bags onto the ice is neither safe nor allowed to go well.

The market part is a modest one, and it is best enjoyed as an add-on to the rink rather than as a day out in its own right. If your main interest is stalls, you will get more variety at a larger market. If you want a compact evening that combines a skate, a hot drink and a browse, it is hard to beat a square that sits a minute from the Tube.

The rink's FAQ splits the season into two parts. From 31 October to 26 November, the hours are noon to 10pm on weekdays, with the first session at 12.15pm, and 10am to 10pm on Saturdays and Sundays, with the first session at 10.15am. From 27 November to 3 January, the rink opens daily from 10am to 10pm. The last session is always at 9.15pm.

A few days differ. On 24 December the rink runs from 10am to 6pm, with the last session at 5.15pm. On 25 December it is closed. On 26 December and 1 January it opens at noon and closes at 10pm. These are the times published on the rink's own FAQ page.

You do not have to pre-book, and tickets can be bought on the day. The organisers still recommend booking online, because it guarantees your preferred session. If you do buy in person, the on-site box office takes card payments only. There are two age rules to know: children under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult, and the rink is not permitted for children under 3. The rink's site lists skating from £15 for an adult and £10 for a child.

The cheapest way to enjoy the square is to arrive on a weekday morning in November, when the rink opens at noon and the crowds are thinner. Evenings and weekends in December are the busiest, and the sessions at the end of the day are the ones most likely to sell out, so book early if you are going in a group.

The nearest station is Leicester Square, on the Northern and Piccadilly lines, about a one-minute walk away. Piccadilly Circus, on the Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines, is roughly four minutes on foot, and Charing Cross, on the Bakerloo and Northern lines, is also listed as a nearby stop. The square itself sits between Piccadilly, Chinatown and Theatreland, so you will rarely have to walk far to find a meal or a show.

Chinatown starts just north of the square, and Gerrard Street is the main road for dumplings and bubble tea. For a show, the London Coliseum, at 30 St Martin's Lane, is a short walk south-east, and the Prince Charles Cinema, at 7 Leicester Place, is a minute from the rink if you would rather watch a film than a musical. None of these needs a booking for a short visit, although theatres are busy in December.

If you are visiting with children, the most useful tip is to skate in the earlier sessions and keep the evening for the lights. The square is bright after dark, and the surrounding streets are busy with Christmas shoppers, so keep close hold of small hands when you cross towards Chinatown.

This season, the organisers say that Skate Leicester Square supports its chosen charity partner, the Angel Child Fund, which is dedicated to developing new treatments for aggressive childhood brain tumours. The rink's site also lists an offers and discounts page, so check it before you buy tickets at the box office.

Wear thin gloves and a pair of warm socks, since rink skates are rented and the boots are snug. Arrive about fifteen minutes before your slot so that you are not rushing the boot hire. If you are nervous on the ice, stay near the edge for the first lap and let the crowd flow around you. And if you only want the market and the bar, you can visit without skating, which makes the square a good stop for friends who do not want to get on the ice.

Finally, remember that Leicester Square is a public space in the busiest part of London. Keep your bag zipped, keep your phone in an inside pocket while you skate, and agree on a meeting point with your group in case you are separated in the crowd. The cinema posters and theatre signs make good landmarks, and the rink's bar is an easy place to regroup.

Dates: Saturday, 31 October 2026 to Sunday, 3 January 2027; closed Christmas Day.

Hours: 10am to 10pm on most days, with first sessions at 10.15am and last sessions at 9.15pm; weekdays before 27 November open at noon.

Tickets: skating from £15 adult and £10 child; book online or at the card-only box office.

Address: Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LU.