By David Ellis
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Hyde Park’s popular Winter Wonderland is returning for another year, with tickets now on sale.
The festive theme park, now in its 18th year, will open from Wednesday November 14, and close on New Year’s Day.
One of London’s most popular winter attractions — it’s thought more than three million people visited in 2024 — this year’s edition will boast more than 150 rides and attractions.
Tickets can be purchased here.
What began in 2007 as a low-key open-air Christmas market has since grown to include ice skating, themed shows, roller coaster rides, street food stalls, festive bars and live music and is the UK’s largest winter market of its kind.
Though much of this year’s event will be familiar to those who’ve visited before, there are a number of new attractions, including an overhauled Santa Land, which has London’s largest free grotto. This will now feature a new, interactive Elves Workshop and children will be visited by Mrs Claus.
Other new family-friendly draws include the Jingle Bell Bistro which, despite its name, is described as “the world’s first street food market just for kids”. Traditional bistro food — confit duck, say, or andouillette — is unlikely to be on the menu.
Elsewhere, and also new, will be Luminarie Lane which, as the name suggests, is a large lighting installation. Commissioned exclusively for Winter Wonderland and built in Italy, expect a glittering canopy of handmade lights. The lane itself will be full of traders offering Christmas gifts, as well as food and drink traders.
The Magical Ice Kingdom has likewise had a freshen up for this year, and returns with a new theme — A Mystical, Mythical Fantasy World. The ice kingdom is aptly named, kept as it is at -10°C; visitors, advised to dress warmly, will discover an impressive 5m-tall griffin, as well as several giant trolls. Also dedicated to ice, although not one for the families, is Bar Ice, where everything from the walls to the tables to the glassware is sculpted from crystal-clear ice.
In a nod to its early days as a simple Christmas market, the Bavarian village also returns, with live music, mulled wine, and plenty of traditional German Christmas food. Those looking for something perhaps livelier, though, should try the new Après-Ski-themed village; like actual après-ski, it will be something of a party, with plenty of drinks, live DJs and bratwurst.
Elsewhere will be the famous open-air ice rink at the park’s Victorian bandstand, as well as a 70-metre observation wheel providing elevated views across the site and surrounding area.
Two circus productions are scheduled to perform: Zippos Christmas Circus presents family entertainment including acrobatic performances, trapeze acts and comedy segments. Cirque Berserk, meanwhile, returns with their production Ignite, featuring international performers in what organisers describe as their exclusive show for the venue.
Booking ahead is advised as entrance at the most popular times — in the evenings, at weekends — is often oversubscribed.
For more information, visit hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
