Leicester Square's Christmas market and rink run 31 October 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day. Weekdays open at noon until 26 November.

Leicester Square’s Christmas market and ice rink open on Saturday 31 October 2026 and run to Sunday 3 January 2027, every day except Christmas Day. Underbelly, which runs Skate Leicester Square, has now published the dates and opening hours on its own site. Standard hours are 10am to 10pm, but on weekdays until 26 November the square opens at noon. 2026 ticket prices are not on the site yet.

Updated 3 October: Underbelly has announced the 2026/27 dates, 31 October to 3 January, and the opening hours. This replaces our earlier estimate of early November.

The quick answer

  • Dates: Saturday 31 October 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Closed on Christmas Day.
  • Hours, 31 October to 26 November: Monday to Friday 12pm to 10pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 10pm.
  • Hours, 27 November to 3 January: daily 10am to 10pm, except 24, 25 and 26 December and 1 January.
  • Skating: 45-minute sessions, skate hire included, no booking fees. Prices for 2026 are not published; last season started at £9.50.

Opening hours for 2026/27

Dates Hours Skating sessions
31 Oct to 26 Nov, Mon to Fri 12pm to 10pm First 12.15pm, last 9.15pm
31 Oct to 26 Nov, Sat and Sun 10am to 10pm First 10.15am, last 9.15pm
27 Nov to 3 Jan, daily 10am to 10pm First 10.15am, last 9.15pm
Thursday 24 December 10am to 6pm Last session 5.15pm
Friday 25 December Closed
Saturday 26 December 12pm to 10pm First 12.15pm, last 9.15pm
Friday 1 January 12pm to 10pm First 12.15pm, last 9.15pm

Underbelly says hours and session times can change, so check its site before a special trip. Tickets can be bought on the day, subject to availability, but it recommends booking online.

Last season, for comparison

We recorded these from Underbelly’s site on 25 September, before it switched to the 2026/27 season. They are a guide to what to expect on prices.

Detail 2025/26 season
Dates Saturday 1 November 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026
Market hours 10am to 10pm
Skating sessions First at 10.15am, last at 9.15pm
Midday opening days Mondays to Thursdays in November (3 to 27 November), plus 26 December and 1 January: open noon to 10pm
Closed Christmas Day
Rink tickets From £9.50, off-peak and peak pricing
Session length 45 minutes, skate hire included

The market stalls sit around the rink, with a seasonal bar. Skating is ticketed; the organiser lists no entry charge for the market itself.

Rules worth knowing before you go

From the rink’s FAQs and ticket page:

  • No children under three on the ice. Children aged 12 and under must be with someone over 16, according to the FAQs; the ticket page says children aged 3 to 12 must be with a responsible adult.
  • Tickets can be bought on the day from the on-site box office if any are left, card only.
  • No cloakroom or lockers. Bags can go in the boot room at your own risk.
  • No photographs on the ice. Spectators can take photos from the viewing platforms.
  • Skate aids and double-bladed skates for small children cost extra and are limited. Wheelchair users are welcome on the rink.
  • Last season part of the proceeds went to the Angel Child Fund at The Brain Tumour Charity. The 2026 site does not yet name a charity partner.

Getting there

The square is at WC2H 7LU. Leicester Square Tube station on the Northern and Piccadilly lines is a minute’s walk, and Piccadilly Circus about four minutes, according to the organiser. For driving and parking around the West End, see our parking zones and hours page. For last trains and the Christmas Day shutdown, see Westminster Christmas travel.

Other Christmas markets in Westminster

  • Skate at Somerset House on the Strand opens on 11 November: see our Somerset House ice rink page.
  • Covent Garden switches on its lights on Thursday 12 November: see our Covent Garden lights page.
  • Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is the borough’s biggest Christmas market, opening on 19 November 2026. Tickets, £1 days and what is free are on our Winter Wonderland page.
  • Trafalgar Square’s Norwegian tree is lit on the first Thursday of December: see our tree lighting page.

Still to be confirmed

  • 2026/27 ticket prices and any off-peak deals. Underbelly’s offers page has no prices yet.

We will update this page when prices are published.