Written by Amanda David
For traditional festive feels, head to Hyde Park for their Winter Wonderland celebration. With everything from a fairground, ice slide and ice skating to a Christmas market and festive bars, they have all you need to get in the festive frame of mind. Looking for more winter fun? Be sure to check our top winter markets and festivals, plus our guide to the best winter illuminations.
Is Winter Wonderland free?
Winter Wonderland is free during off-peak periods, generally during weekdays before 2pm; remember, once you’re in, you can stay as long as you like. Also, if you book in advance and spend at least £25.00 on games, attractions, rides and food packages in one transaction, you get in for free.
Otherwise tickets for admission are priced at £5.00 at standard times, and £7.50 during peak times (dates nearer Christmas and later in the day). Tickets for shows, rides etc. need to be bought separately.
What is there to do at Winter Wonderland?
Fairground
There are over 100 fairground rides to choose from, from heart-stopping roller-coasters to child-friendly attractions, as well as classics like the Starflyer. Highlights for 2024 include the steampunk-inspired Time Machine; Munich Looping, the largest transportable roller coaster; and old favourites the Eurocoaster, the Hangover drop tower and the XXL, perfect for adrenaline junkies.
Price: varies per rideCircus
Enter the biggest circus tent in the UK, watch the clowns, jugglers and acrobats of Candyland, Zippo’s Christmas Circus and make some special festive family memories.
Price: from £11.50Santaland
Take kids to Santaland and enjoy traditional fairground rides including a carousel, helter skelter, vintage games and the Santaland Express train, with the chance to book an unlimited ride pass, which includes entry. There is a quiet chill space for overexcited small people, where you can also warm up bottles and baby food.
Price: from £5.00Ice skating
Welcome to the UK’s largest open-air ice rink. Skate around the original Victorian bandstand in Hyde Park, under a magical roof of fairy lights. Skate hire is included in the ticket price; remember to allow at least 20 minutes before your booked session to collect and put on your skates.
Ice slide
There’s also a giant ice slide, complete with helmet and rubber ring for your comfort and safety. You get to go on the slide twice per ticket, so it’s pretty good value entertainment.
Magical Ice Kingdom
The theme for 2024 is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. See your favourite characters, the Queen of Hearts’ castle and join the Mad Hatter’s tea party, all sculpted from over 500 tonnes of snow and ice, and kept at a temperature of -10°C.
Food & drink
Street Food Village brings you a whole range of delicious street eats; the line-up will include bottomless pizza from Voodoo Ray’s, the return of last year’s après-ski fondue chalet, Bar Narnia, the Carousel Bar and the Sleigh-By food court. This year there will be more food stalls, a bar and a festive chill-out zone.
Talking about bars, what’s cooler than Bar Ice? Don the provided cloak and gloves and head into an 80’s après-ski themed bar where everything is made of ice – even the furniture and glasses! Warm up afterwards at the Pepsi Max Fire Pit, an open air bar with live music and DJs.
It wouldn’t be Winter Wonderland without Bavarian Village, for all your beer and bratwurst needs. There’s also lots of seating, bars, cafes and restaurants, with pre-bookable meal deals.
Oh, and don’t forget your reusable water bottle, as there are rehydration stations at all bars and at points around the site.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland opening times
Winter Wonderland will be open every day except Christmas day from 10am to 10pm, until January 1st. As mentioned, most of the attractions require tickets, and they’re not cheap. Tickets can be reserved online or purchased on the day but it is expected that some events will sell out for weekends and dates closer to Christmas.
Organisers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
