Christmas in London: skating, markets and winter events

Two confirmed dates anchor London’s winter outings: Somerset House skating runs from 11 November 2026 to 10 January 2027; Hyde Park Winter Wonderland runs from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.

Somerset House: sessions and prices

The rink is in the courtyard on the Strand. Adult skating tickets are listed at £13–£28.50 and children’s tickets at £11–£15, plus £1.50 per ticket. Walking into the site is free; skating needs a ticket. The session you choose determines the price.

Kids Skate Club is for ages six to twelve. The programme also includes relaxed sessions and wheelchair skating. Temple is the closest Underground station; Covent Garden, Embankment and Charing Cross provide other approaches. Spring restaurant is in the same building if you want to arrange lunch separately.

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

This is a larger outing, with rides, skating, food stalls and separately ticketed attractions. Choose the entry period and the attractions together. Allow time to cross the site between bookings, particularly with children.

Mayfair, Knightsbridge and Kensington are all possible accommodation bases, but Hyde Park is large. Use the event’s entrance instructions when planning the journey from the apartment. Being near a park boundary does not put you beside every entrance.

A day without an attraction ticket

Covent Garden’s Piazza, the shops on Regent Street and the covered Leadenhall Market make a different sort of outing. Keep shopping and sightseeing in one part of town, then return to the apartment for dinner. Borough Market at London Bridge is a place to plan food shopping; individual traders and festive opening hours need their own arrangements.

Christmas Day in the apartment

Do the food shopping before 25 December. Arrange deliveries and collections for a time when someone can receive them. For a full roast, request oven dimensions and an inventory of roasting tins, fridge space and dining seats before ordering.

For a restaurant meal, book the Christmas menu and transport separately. There are no regular London buses, trams, Underground or Overground trains on 25 December. Plan a walk or pre-book a taxi, allowing for higher Christmas fares. Visit London’s 2026/27 festive transport guide covers Christmas Eve and Boxing Day service changes too. A kitchen gives the household a practical alternative when restaurants are closed or full.

The apartment kitchen guide covers equipment and food shopping. For several weeks over the holiday, send the team the full dates, bedroom count and any arrival requirements.