Best Ice Skating in Kent for Christmas 2026
Best Ice Skating in Kent for Christmas 2026:
Festive Ice Rinks, Dates & Prices
Nothing says Christmas quite like gliding around a twinkling ice rink with a hot chocolate waiting at the side. Each Winter, festive ice rinks pop up across Kent, from undercover rinks you can enjoy come rain or shine to open-air skating under the lights in the park, with penguin skate aids for little ones, parent and toddler sessions and quiet sessions for those who prefer a calmer skate.
We’ve updated our guide for 2026 with the best places to go ice skating in Kent this Christmas, listed in date order to help you plan. Weekend and school holiday sessions book up fast, so book ahead where you can – just click through to each listing for prices, session times and booking details.
Last updated: 1st November 2026
⛸️ Top Tips Before You Skate
🧤 Wrap up for real ice: Real ice rinks are cold and can be wet, so wear gloves – they keep hands warm and protect them if you fall – plus warm layers and thick socks that come above the top of the skate.
🐧 Book skate aids early: Penguin and seal skate aids are popular with little ones, but numbers are limited, there’s usually an extra charge and many rinks ask you to pre-book them with your tickets.
⛸️ Own skates? Some rinks let you bring your own skates and others don’t, so check with the rink before you go.
👶 Check the age rules: Many rinks don’t allow under 3s on the ice, and children usually need a skating adult with them.
🎟️ Book ahead and arrive early: Sessions are timed and weekends sell out, so book in advance and arrive in good time to collect your skates.
🤫 Prefer it calmer? Look out for quiet, SEND, relaxed and parent and toddler sessions.
CHRISTMAS ICE RINKS IN KENT 2026
⛸️ The Ice Rink at Bluewater | Bluewater Shopping Centre 📍 Where: Dartford
🗓️ When: 5th Nov 2026 to 3rd Jan 2027
🎁 Highlights: An undercover real ice rink outside The Village, with parent and toddler sessions, quiet sessions, disco nights and new Skate & Sing sessions for 2026, plus penguin and seal skate aids for little ones. Adults from £15, children from £13.
👉 Full Ice Rink at Bluewater details & tickets →
⛸️ Icescape Tunbridge Wells | Calverley Grounds 📍 Where: Tunbridge Wells
🗓️ When: 26th Nov 2026 to 3rd Jan 2027
🎁 Highlights: The town’s festive ice rink returns as Icescape, with real ice in the park, quiet sessions, parent and toddler sessions, adult disco sessions and appearances from Pippen the Penguin. Children from £10 and adults from £15 online.
👉 Full Icescape Tunbridge Wells details & tickets →
⛸️ Ice Skating at Quex at Elf Express | Quex Adventure Farm Park 📍 Where: Birchington, Thanet
🗓️ When: 30th Nov 2026 to 3rd Jan 2027
🎁 Highlights: A bigger and better real ice rink for 2026, fully undercover so you can skate come rain or shine, with festive music and twinkling lights, and plenty more Christmas fun at Quex to add on. Children from £6.95 and adults from £7.95.
👉 Full Ice Skating at Quex Park details & tickets →
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SKATE ALL YEAR ROUND
⛸️ Planet Ice | Planet Ice Gillingham 📍 Where: Gillingham
🗓️ When: All year round
🎁 Highlights: Kent’s permanent indoor ice rink, with public skating, lessons, family sessions and events such as discos and Show & Skate – a great option for getting your skating legs before Christmas. Open skating from £8.65 off-peak with an Ice Card.
👉 Full Planet Ice Gillingham details →
Just Over The Border
⛸️ Ruxley Manor Ice Rink | Ruxley Manor Garden Centre 📍 Where: Sidcup
🗓️ When: 13th Nov 2026 to 4th Jan 2027
🎁 Highlights: A fully covered real ice rink inside the garden centre, with 45-minute sessions, Little Penguin and SEN sessions, and carers skating free. Tickets from £6.
👉 Ruxley Manor Ice Rink website →
⛸️ Ice Skating at The Christmas Destination | Lakeside Shopping Centre 📍 Where: West Thurrock, just over the Dartford Crossing
🗓️ When: 14th Nov 2026 to 3rd Jan 2027
🎁 Highlights: An ice rink on The Quay with Late Night Disco on Ice every Friday and Saturday, Skate with the Grinch sessions on December weekends and weekly SEND sessions, plus a free-entry festive funfair alongside. Early bird skating £14 Monday to Thursday until 10th December; adults £21, children £16.
👉 Full Ice Skating at Lakeside details & tickets →
Picture Credit: © Paul Solomon at unsplash.com
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Quick guide to Our Christmas in Kent Guides for 2026
Explore our Christmas guides, bringing together festive events, family activities and seasonal days out across Kent.
Christmas in Kent
Pantomimes in Kent
Adult Pantomimes in Kent
Santa’s Grottos in Kent
Christmas Lights Switch Ons in Kent
Christmas Markets in Kent
Best Ice Skating in Kent for Christmas 2026
Plus, browse our Seasonal listings for even more festive events and activities across the Garden of England.
Explore More of See Kent
🌹 Area Guides in Kent: Get to know towns, villages and places to visit across the Garden of England
🏛️ Things to Do in Kent: Explore attractions and activities across the county.
🎭 What’s On in Kent: Find upcoming events and things to do.
💡 Ideas & Inspiration: Browse more features, themed articles and seasonal round-ups.
❄️ Seasonal Spotlight: Find events for Easter, school holidays, Halloween, Christmas and other key occasions.
📧 See Kent Newsletter: Sign up for our free newsletter for more ideas and inspiration.
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