Each year, Hyde Park gets transformed from pretty park to Winter Wonderland. The annual favourite returns in 2024 for its seventeenth year, bringing a sleigh-load of festive fun with it. As you make your way around the space, you’ll find fairground rides, a child-friendly Santa Land (including Santa’s Grotto, where presents may be waiting) and traditional Christmas markets where you’ll be able to buy gifts for all your loved ones.
Other highlights include circuses and, of course, the biggest outdoor ice rink in the UK. It surrounds the Victorian bandstand and is lit up by more than 100,000 lights – if that doesn’t get you feeling festival, nothing will, especially as your ears will be full of Christmas tunes as you glide around the ice. There’s also the Real Ice Slide and ice scultpting workshops, so get ready to get frosty. Warm yourself up later with frothing steins at the German-style Bavarian Village.
The usual line-up of rollercoasters and fairground rides is sure to keep thrill-seekers happy. A good alternative for those who prefer to stay on solid ground is the selection of themed bars with real fires, except for the Bar Ice (for obvious structural reasons), where even the glasses you drink from are made of ice.
If you’re skating, be aware that while there’s no minimum age for skaters, under-12s must be accompanied by someone 16 or over and the smallest skates for hire are children's size 9 (adult skates go up to size 13). You can use your own skates as long as they’re not speed skates. Wheelchair users are welcome on the ice. There are also ice guides who can look after groups of up to 15 skaters at a time (for an additional charge).
Is Winter Wonderland free entry?
Only during off-peak hours. An adult ticket for Winter Wonderland will cost £5 during standard times and £7.50 during peak times.
What dates is Winter Wonderland in London?
Winter Wonderland will be open to the public from Thursday November 21 until Sunday January 5, 2025.
How to get tickets?
Easy! If you're looking to visit at a popular time (such as weekends, or once the school holidays start), then pre-book your tickets via Winter Wonderland's website to make sure you get in with no fuss. You'll be asked to select a two-hour timeslot to arrive within. There's also the option to snag a ticket on the door, although these spots are subject to availability and you may end up missing out if it's a busy time.
Tips for visiting Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
This winter spectacle is super popular every year, but there's a couple of things that are good to know before you go.
The queues can get pretty long, so we recommend booking your tickets in advance. Plus, there's so much to explore that you need to leave a fair bit of time — it tends to take about three hours. Make sure you wrap up warm, too!
