Neve Campbell and Keisha Buchanan among VIPs at opening of Skate at Somerset House with Virgin Atlantic Holidays

Guests included Neve Campbell, Bimini, Kelly Osbourne, Vanessa White of The Saturdays, Keisha Buchanan of the Sugababes, Lewis Tan, Hannah John-Kamen, Grace Campbell, Elarica Johnson, Ray BLK, Layton Williams, Arielle Free, Phoenix Brown, Tristan Evans, Paul Sculfor, Eric Underwood, Olive Gray, Sharifa Butterfly, Absolute and Fat Tony.

Skate at Somerset House with Virgin Atlantic Holidays, one of London’s best known festive traditions, opened with a VIP party in the courtyard of Somerset House.

Guests arrived to a 40ft Christmas tree decorated by Virgin Atlantic Holidays, which is partnering with Skate for the third year. Inspired by travel, the tree features baubles representing destinations including New York, Las Vegas and Seoul, and stands on a base of suitcases decorated with travel stamps. A giant Wilbur and Orville installation, referencing the airline’s onboard salt and pepper shakers, offered guests a photo opportunity.

The evening opened with a performance from Mangrove Steelband, one of Europe’s leading steel bands. Later, drag icon and DJ Bimini performed a house music set at the rinkside decks. London and Paris based OLUWA also DJ’d, ahead of playing the closing Skate Lates set on 8 January.

Presented by Aperol Spritz for the second year, Skate Lates is a series of DJ takeovers every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday throughout the season. Guests also watched a Heliosphere performance by The Dream Engine, in which an acrobat spiralled above the rink.

Future Plate served Caribbean dishes including Jamaican curry goat with rice and peas, Bajan fish cakes and Grenadian vegetable oil down with jasmine rice. The Chalet by Jimmy Garcia, Skate’s pop-up restaurant, offered alpine inspired food made with British produce, including croque monsieurs and hot dogs.

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse returned for a second year, offering rinkside views, signature drinks and seasonal treats. Guests enjoyed Aperol Spritz, cocktails made with Pantalones Tequila and Laurent-Perrier, as well as drinks from Twining’s, which returned with a pop-up serving wellbeing blends and Swiss hot chocolate.

Visitors also previewed the Shelter Boutique pop-up, presented by HSBC UK, featuring fashion and lifestyle brands including AllSaints and Nobody’s Child. It showcased one-of-a-kind pieces donated by celebrities supporting Shelter, including Laura Whitmore, Bella Mackie, Gok Wan and Tom Daley. Proceeds support Shelter’s work providing housing advice to people facing homelessness.

At the end of the evening, guests received festive gifts from Virgin Atlantic Holidays, including Headliner, a limited edition Wonderskin lip stain inspired by Virgin’s red, mini replicas of the destination inspired tree decorations, Virgin Atlantic socks, a £20 Secret Spa voucher and teas from Twining’s.

Throughout Skate, the Sámi flag will fly above Somerset House, coinciding with the new exhibition Through Our Eyes: Sámi Art and Culture, the UK’s first group exhibition celebrating Sámi arts and culture. Designed by Norwegian Sámi artist Astrid Båhl, building on earlier designs including one by Synnøve Persen, the flag is the official recognised flag of the Sámi people and Sápmi. The exhibition runs until 7 February 2027.