The Christmas ice rink in Glasgow this year is at Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland on Glasgow Green. It’s open on selected sessions from Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Braehead Ice Centre is open all year round. No ice rink has been announced for George Square, and the Clydeside Christmas Village hasn’t announced its 2026 dates yet.
Last checked: 26 October 2026.
Ice skating in Glasgow in 2026 at a glance
| Rink | 2026 dates | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Wonderland on the Green Glasgow Green, G1 5DB |
Fri 20 Nov to Sun 3 Jan 2027, selected sessions | Shown when you pick a session. Peak and off-peak, adult and child |
| Clydeside Christmas Village Clydeside |
Not announced yet (checked 26 October) | Not announced yet |
| George Square City centre |
No rink announced for 2026 | None |
| Braehead Ice Centre King’s Inch Road, G51 4BN |
All year, timetable changes weekly | £13.95 adult, £9.95 ages 6 to 16, £5 under 5. Skates included |
| Time Capsule, Coatbridge Coatbridge |
Public sessions, times change, check the Active NL app | £9.85 adult, £7.20 junior, plus £3.95 skate hire |
Looking for the markets, the wheel and the food stalls? That’s on our Glasgow Christmas markets 2026 guide. For lights, shows and everything else on, see our Christmas events guide.
Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland on Glasgow Green
This is the Christmas rink. It’s real ice in the open air, so you’re skating in whatever the weather is doing. The organiser says the rink is checked every morning and only runs when it’s safe. If it has to shut, it emails everyone who booked and arranges a refund automatically.
- Dates: selected dates and times from Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
- Session length: sessions start on the hour and last about 45 minutes.
- Entrance: the Winter Wonderland entrance is the McLennan Arch, next to the observation wheel. The site is closed on 25 December and closes at 8pm on 24 December.
- Booking: you can book online up to 24 hours ahead, or buy on the day at the ice skating box office next to the rink, subject to availability. The organiser says you always save online.
- Skates: hire is included in your ticket. They have sizes 1 to 13, and skate clips for little feet.
- Refunds: bookings can’t be refunded or swapped, but you can pass yours to a friend without changing the name.
What does it cost?
The organiser doesn’t print the ticket prices anywhere we could see them. You only get them once you pick a session on the ticket page. What it does say is that there are adult (16 and over) and children’s tickets, and no concessions. Peak sessions are every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus every day from 18 December to 3 January. Everything else is off-peak, so a weekday before 18 December is the off-peak option.
Glasgow postcode holders get 10% off, online with the code GXMAS26 or on the day at the box office. You need to bring proof of address, like a driving licence or a letter with your name and address on it.
Quieter sessions
The organiser runs sessions for the additional support needs community on Sunday 29 November and Sunday 6 December, both at 11am. The ice runs at reduced capacity with softer lighting and quieter sound. The same FAQ also names “Sunday 12 December”, but 12 December 2026 is a Saturday, so check the date before you book.
Entry to the Winter Wonderland itself is free, and only skaters need a ticket. Friends and family can watch, and the site has a festive bar, so it works if one of the group would rather stay off the ice.
Clydeside Christmas Village
The Clydeside Christmas Village has not announced its 2026 dates, prices or ice skating yet (checked 26 October). Its own website still carries last year’s title, “Clydeside Christmas Village 2025”, and tells people to follow its Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for updates. We won’t guess at what’s coming back. Check the official site before you plan around it.
George Square and St Enoch Square
George Square has been closed for its redesign, and we haven’t found any ice rink announced there for 2026. We’ll add one here if it’s announced. What’s been said about George Square this Christmas is on the Christmas markets guide.
The Winter Wonderland at St Enoch Square doesn’t have a rink either. The organiser’s ice rink FAQ and website put the rink at Glasgow Green only.
Braehead Ice Centre
If you want to skate any time, not just at Christmas, Braehead Ice Centre is the one. It’s the home of the Glasgow Clan, and the centre says it offers year-round skating for all ages and abilities. Public sessions are listed week by week. The page we read showed the weeks starting 12, 19 and 26 October 2026, so later weeks aren’t posted yet.
- Prices: £13.95 for adults (16 and over), £9.95 for ages 6 to 16, £5 for under 5s, and £2 for spectators. Skate hire is included in the ticket.
- Sessions: they vary a lot week to week. Recent weeks have had public skating most days, Throwback Thursday evenings, Wee Ones sessions for toddlers and an Ice Disco on Saturday nights (Fridays too in some weeks). There are no sessions on Tuesdays in the weeks starting 19 and 26 October.
- Senior skate: a mid-afternoon skate every Friday, just for people aged 65 and over.
- Cancellations: sessions can be cancelled when Glasgow Clan or Paisley Pirates have a match, so check the booking page before you set off.
- Parking: the centre says parking outside is free for customers.
Time Capsule in Coatbridge
The Time Capsule is run by Active NL and is another public rink near Glasgow. Its opening hours and costs page lists 90 minute sessions. On weekends and school holidays there are two or three a day. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday also have an off-peak session from 3pm to 4:30pm. The page isn’t dated, and says sessions can change, so check the Active NL app or ask at reception on 01236 812679.
- Prices: adult £9.85, junior £7.20, adult member £5.40, junior member £3.85, ages 3 to 4 £4.
- Skate hire: not included. It’s £3.95 for adults and juniors.
What to wear and what to bring
At Glasgow Green, the organiser says to wrap up and dress for the weather. They don’t supply safety gear, but you can bring your own knee pads and gloves, and your own skates if you have them. Only a small shoulder bag that you can secure under your coat is allowed on the ice. Lockers are available to hire at the rink.
At the Time Capsule, gloves are expected and your skates need to fit properly. Scarves and long coats aren’t allowed on the ice, and protective spike overshoes aren’t allowed during public sessions.
The Winter Wonderland FAQ also says the rink isn’t suitable for anyone who’s pregnant, light sensitive, or has a heart condition, brittle bones or a serious back or bone injury. If any of that applies, it’s worth checking with the organiser first.
Skating with kids
The rules depend on the rink, so read the one you’re going to.
- Glasgow Green: children under 8 must be on the ice with someone over 16 at all times. Under 12s need a parent or guardian over 18 in the skate centre during the session. Skating aids can be hired on the day from £5, subject to availability.
- Braehead: children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Skating aids cost £6 each, and are first come, first served. Penguin aids are for children under 1.2m, and ride-on aids for children under 1m. Wee One Wednesday is a parent and child session for £10, with aids included.
- Time Capsule: under 8s need a companion aged 16 or over, and under 5s need a responsible adult whatever their skating level. Penguin aids are only for children up to 1.2m.
More ideas for the school holidays are on our things to do with kids in Glasgow page.
Ice skating lessons
Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland doesn’t list lessons, so for proper tuition you’re looking at the year-round rinks.
- Braehead Ice Centre: its Learn To Skate courses are accredited by British Ice Skating. Lessons are 30 minute group classes with skate hire and coach support included. Children’s classes run on Wednesdays and Thursdays and adult classes on Sunday mornings. When we checked, the current block was the last of the season and applications were closed. The page doesn’t print lesson prices, so email info@braeheadicecentre.co.uk about the next block.
- Time Capsule: Active NL’s lessons are Little Penguins for ages 5 to 10, Rising Stars for ages 11 to 16 and Beginner Adult for 16 and over. Bob skates, helmets and penguin aids are included in the lesson package for Little Penguins. To book, use live chat on the Active NL website or app, email ActiveLessons@northlan.gov.uk or phone 01236 341969. The Time Capsule also runs inclusive skating for skaters with disabilities or impairments.
Getting there
The Winter Wonderland site links walking routes from Buchanan Bus Station, Queen Street and Central. Our train guide and bus guide cover fares and tickets. Braehead has buses and free parking, and the ice centre says to check First Bus, Colchri and McGill’s for current times. You can also cycle there along the Clyde Coastal Path.
Planning a night out around the skating? Our date night ideas and free things to do pages have plenty to go with it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an ice rink in Glasgow at Christmas 2026?
Yes. Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland has an open-air ice rink on Glasgow Green, open on selected sessions from Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. The Clydeside Christmas Village hasn’t announced its 2026 plans yet.
Is there an ice rink at George Square in 2026?
Not that we’ve found. George Square has been closed for its redesign, and no ice rink has been announced there for 2026 (checked 26 October).
Is there ice skating at the Glasgow Christmas market?
The rink is at the Glasgow Green Winter Wonderland, not at the St Enoch Square one. Entry to the Glasgow Green Winter Wonderland is free, and you only pay for the rink and other attractions you use.
How much is ice skating at Glasgow Green?
The organiser shows prices once you choose a session on its ticket page. Peak sessions are Fridays to Sundays and every day from 18 December to 3 January. Glasgow postcode holders get 10% off, and skate hire is included.
Do I need to book ice skating in Glasgow?
At Glasgow Green you can book online up to 24 hours ahead or buy at the box office on the day, subject to availability. Booking online is cheaper, and bookings can’t be refunded. At Braehead, use the booking page for current sessions.
How long is an ice skating session?
About 45 minutes at Glasgow Green, starting on the hour. Braehead’s public sessions run from an hour to two hours, and the Time Capsule’s are 90 minutes.
Is there ice skating at Braehead?
Yes. Braehead Ice Centre runs public skating all year. Tickets are £13.95 for adults, £9.95 for ages 6 to 16 and £5 for under 5s, with skate hire included. Sessions are cancelled on some Glasgow Clan and Paisley Pirates match days.
Where can I get ice skating lessons in Glasgow?
Braehead Ice Centre runs Learn To Skate courses for children and adults, though its current block was closed to new applications when we checked. The Time Capsule in Coatbridge has lessons for ages 5 and up. See the lessons section above for how to book.
Can children go ice skating?
Yes. At Glasgow Green, under 8s must be on the ice with someone over 16. At Braehead, under 5s cost £5 and children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Skating aids are available at all three rinks.
