A visit to Winter Wonderland requires three things:
1) Stamina,
2) The willpower to resist Earth, Wind & Fire’s Boogie Wonderland repeatedly entering your head; and
3) A ticket.
As with last year, they’ve ditched the ol’ free-for-all policy in a bid to control crowd numbers, which is good news because it also (at least hypothetically) means you’ll have fewer queues to endure before strolling through an enchanting ice kingdom; sipping mulled wine at the Christmas market; and indulging your love of European rollercoasters.
You’ll find Winter Wonderland, as always, set up in Hyde Park, taking up a colossal amount of space and packing into it:
ENTERTAINMENT
In the form of traditional family favourite Zippo’s Circus (now featuring furry inflatable bears) and the less traditional Cirque Beserk, who are prepared to put multiple motorcycle riders inside a ‘Globe of Death’ for your amusement.
WINTER ACTIVITIES
We’re talking ice skating on the largest outdoor rink in the country, festooned with fairy-lights and accompanied by occasional live music from the Victorian bandstand; a walk-through ice kingdom featuring frozen statues sculpted from over 500 tonnes of ice and snow; DIY ice-carving workshops; a real ice slide (which you can descend on a rubber ring); and a fairground filled with rollercoasters, ferris wheels and a drop tower which, at 85m high, is one of the best viewpoints in London… for the few seconds before you’re released at 90km/h.
FOOD & DRINK
Winter Wonderland also boasts a street food village – so you can browse the Christmas market’s 100 miniature chalets with something from Made of Dough, Lil Watan and Flesh & Buns to keep you going – as well as a Bavarian beer hall with live music & singalongs; an Alpine lodge with DJ sets; and a subzero 1980s-themed cocktail bar crafted entirely from ice.
It’s where all the cool people hang out.
NOTE: Winter Wonderland is open daily between 17th November – 1st January 2024 (except Christmas Day). Entry is free off-peak, then £5-7.50 at other times. You can find out more, and book, HERE.
Winter Wonderland | Hyde Park, London W2
Feeling festive? Check out all the best winter light trails in London