What's on at Alexandra Palace — concerts, darts, festivals, ice skating and more. Your complete local guide to events, tickets and visiting Ally Pally.
The Alexandra Palace Theatre is the opposite in spirit — a beautifully conserved Victorian auditorium of 1875 that reopened in 2018 after decades of dereliction. Rather than being fully restored, it was left in an atmospheric "arrested decay", and now stages drama, music, comedy and immersive productions in a setting unlike anywhere else in London.
The West Hall, Palm Court and various smaller rooms host antiques fairs, craft markets, exhibitions and private events, while the Park itself stages outdoor cinema, festivals and the famous fireworks. Knowing which space your event is in also tells you which entrance and approach to use.
Live Music and Comedy
Alexandra Palace is one of London's premier mid-to-large concert venues, and the Great Hall regularly hosts internationally touring artists across every genre, from rock and indie to electronic and classical. Its capacity sits in a sweet spot — bigger than the clubs, more intimate than a stadium — which makes it a sought-after stop on major tours.
Comedy, spoken word and one-off spectaculars also feature throughout the year. Because line-ups change constantly, the single best way to see what's on at Alexandra Palace is to check the official Alexandra Palace events listings before you plan a visit. Headline shows frequently sell out, so booking early through the venue's own box office or the official promoter is strongly advised.
Sport: The World Darts Championship and More
For many, Alexandra Palace means one thing: darts. The PDC World Darts Championship takes over the Great Hall every winter, running from mid-December into the new year, and the raucous, fancy-dress, beer-fuelled atmosphere has made "Ally Pally" synonymous with the sport. Tickets are released months ahead and sell out fast — this is the hardest-to-get event in the venue's calendar.
Beyond darts, the Great Hall and the wider site have hosted snooker, boxing and other sporting events, while the permanent ice rink supports ice hockey and figure skating year-round.
Festivals, Fireworks and Outdoor Events
When the weather warms up, the event programme moves outdoors into Alexandra Park. The site hosts food and music festivals, open-air cinema screenings on summer evenings, and seasonal markets.
The biggest outdoor fixture is the Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival, held around Bonfire Night each November. The hilltop position gives the display a spectacular backdrop of the entire London skyline, and the event typically pairs the fireworks with a German-style beer festival, a funfair and street food. It is one of London's largest organised firework events, and tickets sell out — so book ahead and arrive early to beat the considerable crowds.
Year-Round Attractions: Ice Rink, Boating Lake and Park
Not everything at Alexandra Palace requires an event ticket. The site is also a destination in its own right, with attractions open throughout the year.
The ice rink is one of very few permanent rinks in London, open year-round for public skating, lessons and clubs — a rarity when most London ice skating is seasonal. The boating lake offers pedalo and rowing-boat hire through the warmer months, and the surrounding 196-acre park includes a deer enclosure, a pitch-and-putt course, a garden centre, woodland walks and one of the capital's finest panoramic views. For families, this combination makes a free or low-cost day out that needs no event at all.
A Quick History: The People's Palace
Part of the appeal of any visit is the building itself. Alexandra Palace opened in 1873 as a great public hall of recreation for ordinary Londoners — "the People's Palace" — only to burn down just sixteen days later. Rebuilt and reopened in 1875, it survived a second devastating fire in 1980 before being restored again.
Its greatest claim to fame is in broadcasting history: in 1936, the BBC made the world's first regular high-definition television broadcasts from Alexandra Palace, making this hilltop the literal birthplace of modern television. Knowing this history adds real depth to an event here — you are, quite literally, being entertained in one of the most resilient and historically significant buildings in London.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets for Alexandra Palace events are sold through the venue's official box office and authorised promoters, depending on the event. A few practical tips:
- Book headline shows early — major concerts, the darts and the fireworks festival routinely sell out
- Buy only from official sources to avoid inflated resale prices and invalid tickets
- Check the specific venue (Great Hall vs Theatre vs Park) named on your ticket, as it affects entrances and timings
- Look for package options on big nights, which sometimes bundle parking or hospitality
Getting There and Practical Tips
Alexandra Palace is well connected. Alexandra Palace National Rail station is closest, with a free shuttle bus on major event days, while Wood Green on the Piccadilly line is the nearest Underground station, both in Zone 3. There is on-site parking, but it fills quickly for big events, so public transport is almost always the easier choice.
The walk up through the park from the station is steep but scenic, delivering that famous skyline view as a reward. Wrap up warmly for winter events and the fireworks — the hilltop is noticeably colder and windier than the streets below. For a fuller picture of the parkland and views, see our guides to Alexandra Park and the boating lake and the view from Alexandra Palace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What events are held at Alexandra Palace?
A year-round programme including major concerts, the PDC World Darts Championship, comedy, exhibitions, antiques fairs, food and music festivals, open-air cinema and the November fireworks festival — plus permanent attractions like the ice rink and boating lake.
How do you find out what's on at Alexandra Palace?
The official Alexandra Palace website lists the full events programme with dates and ticket links. Because line-ups change constantly and headline shows sell out, it's worth checking and booking well ahead of your visit.
How do you get tickets for Alexandra Palace?
Tickets are sold through the venue's official box office and authorised promoters. Buy only from official sources, and book early for popular events like the darts, major concerts and the fireworks festival, which sell out quickly.
What is the nearest station to Alexandra Palace?
Alexandra Palace National Rail station is closest, with a free shuttle bus on major event days. Wood Green on the Piccadilly line is the nearest tube; both are in Zone 3.
Is there anything to do at Alexandra Palace without a ticket?
Yes — the year-round ice rink, the seasonal boating lake, the pitch-and-putt course, the deer enclosure, woodland walks and the panoramic park are all open without an event ticket, making for a great free or low-cost day out.
Final Thoughts
Few London venues offer the sheer range of Alexandra Palace: world-class concerts and the roar of the darts in the Great Hall, atmospheric drama in the restored Victorian Theatre, fireworks over the skyline in November, and a hilltop park you can enjoy any day of the year. Check what's on before you go, book the big nights early, and take the train up the hill — and you'll understand why north Londoners are so fond of their People's Palace.
Sources: Alexandra Palace — What's On; Alexandra Palace — Our History.
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