Bath on Ice 2026 and Christmas in Bath: What's On
Bath on Ice in Royal Victoria Park, 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with session times, ticket prices and tips for small children, plus the rest of Christmas in Bath: the market, the Snowman trail and exhibition, Father Christmas at the Holburne, the Theatre Royal panto and where to eat nearby.
In short: Bath on Ice, the outdoor rink in Royal Victoria Park, runs from Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with hour-long sessions from £14 for under 12s and £16.50 for adults. Book ahead: the organisers say weekends always sell out. Around it, Christmas in Bath means the market (26 November to 13 December), Father Christmas at the Holburne Museum and Beauty and the Beast at the Theatre Royal.
Bath at Christmas, built around the city's ice rink: what is on, when, what it costs and where to eat nearby. Every date and price was checked on the organisers' and venues' own websites on 23 October 2026. The market has its own guide, and Christmas Day lunches are in our Christmas menus guide.
| What | Dates | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bath on Ice | 20 Nov to 3 Jan | Royal Victoria Park | £14 to £16.50 |
| Walking with The Snowman trail | 19 Nov to 28 Jan | City centre streets | Not published |
| The World of The Snowman | 20 Nov to 28 Feb | Victoria Art Gallery | £12, under 6s free |
| Bath Christmas Market | 26 Nov to 13 Dec | City centre | Free entry |
| Father Christmas Grotto | 27 Nov to 23 Dec | Holburne Museum | Children £12 to £14.50 |
| Beauty and the Beast | 10 Dec to 10 Jan | Theatre Royal Bath | From £14 |
When is Bath on Ice 2026?
Bath on Ice opens on Friday 20 November 2026 and closes on Sunday 3 January 2027, in Royal Victoria Park, Bath, BA1 2NR.
- 📅 20 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027
- ⏰ Hourly sessions, 10.30am to 9.30pm
- 🎟️ Adults £16.50, under 12s £14
- 👪 Family of four £53.50
- 📍 Royal Victoria Park, BA1 2NR
Good to know: the 10.30am session does not run on weekdays until 11 December. Concessions (13 to 17, students and seniors, with ID) are £15.50, and every booking adds a £2 fee. There are no refunds, but you can change a booking yourself up to 24 hours before. Arrive 30 minutes early. The organisers' ticket page has the themed skates: Disney on 25 November and a pop night on 2 December.
Is Bath on Ice good for small children?
Yes, from about two, the organisers say, once a child is steady on their feet. Toddlers still need a ticket and skates. Sled skate aids cost £5 a session, come first come, first served and can sell out. On weekdays until 11 December, Toddler Time at 11.45am and 1pm costs £24.50 for one adult, one under 6 and a skate aid.
Royal Victoria Park
The rink's home, and worth the walk on its own. Non-skaters are welcome: the organisers say the spectator area and the Moguls Alpine Bar, with mulled drinks, hot chocolate and hot food, are free for all to visit.
- 🍷 Moguls Alpine Bar, undercover
- 🐕 Dogs welcome on a lead
- ♿ Rink is wheelchair accessible
- 📍 City Centre
What else is on in Bath at Christmas 2026?
The market, a Snowman trail and a Snowman exhibition, the Roman Baths and the Christmas lights.
Bath Christmas Market
Wooden chalets on the streets from Abbeygate Street to Milsom Street, around the Abbey. Our Christmas market guide has the travel, parking and food.
- 📅 26 Nov to 13 Dec
- ⏰ From 10am daily
- 🎟️ Free entry
Walking with The Snowman trail
Bath BID's new trail of 12 larger-than-life Snowman sculptures across the city centre. Bath BID says families can meet the Snowman himself on 19 and 21 November.
- 📅 19 Nov to 28 Jan
- 📍 City centre streets
Victoria Art Gallery: The World of The Snowman
A family exhibition that brings The Snowman and his friends to life. The best indoor pick for a cold or wet afternoon with under 6s, who go free.
- 📅 20 Nov to 28 Feb
- ⏰ Tue to Sun, 10.30am to 5pm
- 🎟️ £12, children 6 to 18 £5.50
- 👪 Family (2 adults, 4 children) £27
Good to know: closed on Mondays (bank holiday Mondays excepted), Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Bath Philharmonia also plays the film live at The Forum on Saturday 19 December at 3pm (tickets).
The Roman Baths
Still the city's big indoor visit in December, and a few steps from the market. Plan around the Christmas closures.
- ⏰ 24 Dec: last entry 4.15pm
- 🚫 Closed 25 and 26 Dec
- 📅 1 Jan: opens 10am
When are the Bath Christmas lights switched on?
Not announced yet. Bath BID says a five-year Christmas lighting programme starts this year, themed "Understated Elegance", but no switch-on date was published when we checked on 23 October 2026.
Where can children meet Father Christmas in Bath?
At the Father Christmas Grotto in the grounds of the Holburne Museum, from 27 November to 23 December 2026.
The Holburne Museum: Father Christmas Grotto
A 20-minute visit with professional actors and musicians, in a purpose-built space outside the museum: a meet and greet, a photo with Father Christmas and his musical elf Sprinkles, and a small gift for children and adults.
- 📅 27 Nov to 23 Dec
- ⏰ Thu and Fri 2pm to 4pm, Sat and Sun 9am to 2pm
- 🎟️ Children £12 to £14.50, adults £10 to £11.50
- 📍 Great Pulteney Street, Bathwick
Good to know: for ages 3 to 11. There are no visits Monday to Wednesday until 18 December, then daily from 9am to 4pm. Every adult needs a ticket, booked through the grotto's website, plus a booking fee, and tickets are non-refundable. My First Christmas, for 0 to 2s, runs on Wednesday mornings from 2 to 16 December and on 17 December, at £10 a ticket.
What is the Bath panto for 2026?
Beauty and the Beast at the Theatre Royal Bath on Sawclose, from Thursday 10 December 2026 to Sunday 10 January 2027.
- ⏰ 2pm and 7pm, or 1pm and 5.30pm
- 🎟️ From £14
- 👪 Family Saver: 4 tickets from £98
- 📍 Sawclose, City Centre
Good to know: no shows on 14 and 18 December, Christmas Day, New Year's Day or 4 January, and only 11am and 3pm on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Relaxed performances are on 13 December at 1pm and 30 December at 2pm. Family Saver seats are in the Grand Circle only. Book with the theatre.
Where to eat near Bath on Ice and the theatre
Two near the park for after skating, two by Saw Close before the panto.
The Marlborough Tavern
A pub behind the Royal Crescent that has held two AA rosettes for over ten years. Our pick for a proper meal after skating, with children and dogs welcome.
- 🎄 Christmas menu 23 Nov to 24 Dec
- 📞 Book ahead at busy times
- 📍 Marlborough Buildings, City Centre
The Circus Restaurant
An independent modern European restaurant on Brock Street, a short walk from the park, with set lunch and pre-theatre menus.
- 🎄 Christmas menu 26 Nov to 23 Dec
- 📞 Book online up to 5, call for 6 or more
- 📍 Brock Street, City Centre
Boston Tea Party Kingsmead Square
A café for breakfast or lunch before a matinee, with a kids' menu and no booking.
- ⏰ Mon to Fri 8.30am to 4pm, weekends from 8am
- 🐕 Dogs welcome
- 📍 Kingsmead Square, City Centre
The Oven
Wood-fired Neapolitan pizza on Saw Close, an easy family dinner before an evening panto. Walk-ins only, so arrive early.
- ⏰ Daily 12pm to 10pm
- 🚶 Walk-ins; email for 6 or more
- 📍 Saw Close, City Centre
Christmas in Bath: questions
When does Bath on Ice open in 2026?
Friday 20 November 2026. The rink in Royal Victoria Park runs until Sunday 3 January 2027.
How much is Bath on Ice?
£16.50 for adults, £15.50 for 13 to 17s, students and seniors, £14 for under 12s and £53.50 for a family of four, plus a £2 booking fee per transaction.
Can you go to Bath on Ice without skating?
Yes. The organisers say the spectator area and the Moguls Alpine Bar are free for all to visit.
Where can I see Father Christmas in Bath?
At the Father Christmas Grotto at the Holburne Museum, from 27 November to 23 December 2026. Children's tickets cost £12 to £14.50, and every adult needs a ticket too.
What is the Bath panto for 2026?
Beauty and the Beast at the Theatre Royal Bath, from 10 December 2026 to 10 January 2027, with tickets from £14.