It’s nearly that time of year again. Winter Wonderland is soon opening its doors in Hyde Park.
Since 2007, the German-inspired market and fair has been providing Londoners with festive fun in the run-up to Christmas, with food stalls, exhilarating rides, live music, theatrical shows and icy attractions.
One of London’s most popular winter attractions — it’s thought that over three million people flocked to the fair in 2024. This year’s edition will have more than 150 rides and attractions.
Here’s everything we know about this year’s Winter Wonderland:
When does it open?
This year, the festive emporium is open from November 14 to January 1.
How much are tickets? Can I get discount tickets?
Off-peak tickets are free (with a £1.00 booking fee), standard tickets begin at £5.50 (with a 50p booking fee) and peak tickets cost upwards of £7.50 (with a £1.00 booking fee). Infants who are 2 and under can enjoy Winter Wonderland for free.
Tickets can be purchased here.
The Christmas fair has a variety of offers, including game coins bundles, group offers and 20 per cent off photos. There is also a deal where if you spend £25 on attractions, you can get into the fair for free.
This year, Winter Wonderland has launched a new ‘Arctic Adventure Package’ that includes entry to the park and three “icy attractions”: ice skating, Magicial Ice Kingdom and Real Ice Slide. The package comes with £20 of rides and games credit, as well as 10 per cent additional credit and a 10 per cent discount on all attractions.
Other packages on offer include ‘Show Town Spectacular Package’ (which includes a festive show), a ‘Taste of Bavaria Package’ (which comes with £30 credit to enjoy in the Bavarian Village and Santa Land Package (which provides unlimited access to Santa Land rides).
What is on offer there?
This year’s Winter Wonderland will have a number of new attractions, including an overhauled Santa Land, which has London’s largest free grotto. It will include a new, interactive Elves Workshop and kids will be visited by Mrs Claus.
Other new family-friendly attractions include the Jingle Bell Bistro, dubbed as “the world's first street food market just for kids”.
You’ll also be able to see Luminarie Lane, a sprawling lighting installation of sparkling handmade lights, built in Italy. The Magical Ice Kingdom has a new ‘Mystical, Mythical Fantasy World’ theme, with an ice bar.
You can also go ice skating on the famous open-air rink (the UK’s biggest!) and watch two circus productions with acrobatics, trapeze acts and comedy segments.
Other activities on offer include ice sculpting workshops and an ice slide.
When is the best time to go to beat the rush?
Weekday mornings (and certain afternoons) are classed as off-peak, so if you want to beat the crowds, it might be worth booking a ticket in one of these slots.
