Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London

With so many places now offering winter fun, Santa visits, Christmas markets, carol concerts, light displays and shopping attractions, it’s getting harder to put your finger on “the ultimate Christmas attraction”. But this week, we’ve certainly come up with an impressive contender!

Located in an iconic central London park, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is definitely making a bid for 2023’s ultimate destination for festive fun, offering a variety of attractions, activities, entertainment, food, drinks, and much more. From high adrenaline rides to family-friendly presentations, classic festive treats to the tastiest offerings from London’s street food scene, and cosy fire pit bars to mythical ice kingdoms, there’s something for everyone.

Open from 10am to 10pm daily (excluding just Christmas Day) up to January 1st, we suggest mornings into afternoon are perfect for families, where you can explore Winter Wonderland at a leisurely pace. When evening comes around, the whole scene is transformed by thousands of sparkling lights, perfect for grabbing a mulled wine, hot chocolate, or stein of Bavarian beer and joining in the festive fun.

With so much on offer, let’s get into the heart of it (please note: while general entrance can be purchased on the gate, if anything below really takes your fancy, advance booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment!).

A Magical Kingdom Awaits

With plenty for explorers of all ages, step into the Magical Ice Kingdom, an immersive exploration of the mythical nine realms of Norse mythology, crafted by expert sculptors using over 500 tonnes of ice and snow. If that’s inspired you, try your hand at creating your own ice sculpture under expert guidance in the Ice Sculpting Workshop.

Take to the ice, gliding gracefully across the UK’s largest open-air ice rink under a picturesque canopy of twinkly lights, or grab your helmet and rubber ring, and slide into the Christmas spirit, racing friends and family down the sweeping Real Ice Slide. Sit back and enjoy sweeping views of wintry London from the 70-metre high Giant Wheel, or take the energy up to electrifying, courtesy of Cirque Berserk’s high-energy smorgasbord of thrills, skills and adrenaline-fuelled circus stunts, guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Step Inside The Fun

With a town’s-worth of funhouses to explore, can you stay sure-footed in the Après-Ski Party Funhouse, with moving steps, wobbly floors, massive double slide and Alpine views? Discover three floors of fun at the Magic Circus Funhouse, complete with trick mirrors, shifting floors and all your favourite funhouse tricks, or step aboard Santa’s Sleigh Stop for multi-level fun and festive magic.

Prepare for a scare at the Haunted Mansion, a spooktacular attraction where festive meets frightening around every corner. Or immerse yourself in the world of Dr. Archibald, a one of a kind virtual-reality enhanced ride whizzing you through multiple portals and time dimensions.

I’m Spinning Around…

From smooth and graceful to death-defying, there are more rides packed into Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland than you can shake a candy cane at! Swing through the air on the beautifully decorated Traditional Wave Swinger, step onboard your very own sleigh for a spin through the wintery sky on Superstarke Troika, and relive the ultimate fairground experience as you spiral down the traditional helter skelter.

Scream-tastic rides and roller coasters turning it up to 11 include Munich Looping, the world’s largest transportable rollercoaster, straight from Oktoberfest, flying you through five sky-high breathtaking loops. Stagger over to the Blizzard, spinning you 360 degrees through the air, 65 metres up, or the XXL, whose high G-force pendulum claw swings to heights of 47 metres, rotating at up to 15rpm, and dozens more!

Fun for the Whole Family

Families get their own slice of Winter Wonder in Santaland, filled with family friendly rides, festive eateries, and the chance to meet the main man himself. Escape the hustle and bustle aboard the scenic Santaland Express, take in the sights as Flying Jumbos’ elephant carriages spin you gently around, or climb aboard Racing Coaster’s car-themed, medium height rollercoaster and va-va-vroom away!

Family-themed entertainments include Children’s TV megastar Justin Fletcher’s Christmas Singalong, filled with singing, dancing and festive fun, and Zippo’s Christmas Circus; an all-new seasonally-themed packed show with entertaining acrobatic and comic routines within the largest circus tent in the UK.

Plenty of Naughty and Nice Treats

Start by strolling the 100 charming traditional wooden chalets, packed with unique and tempting gifts, treats and traditional Christmas decorations. When you’re ready for a refuel, there’s refreshment aplenty. Bringing a taste of Bavaria to the capital, the cosy chalets, bars, cafes and restaurants make the Bavarian Village the perfect place to unwind and have fun, as is the Sleigh-By, packed with a smorgasbord of worldwide street food traders, bars and a chill out areas.

Slide into Bar Ice, the coolest bar where everything is made from ice, or heat things up at the Fire Pit, sipping on wintery cocktails as you dance to live bands and DJs. Other zones include the acoustic Explorer’s Rest and the Santaland Chill Space- the perfect place to warm up and relax in a quiet area, with facilities to warm up food and bottles for little ones, so in no time you’ll be restored and heading out to “sleigh it” again!