This post details some of the most important aspects of Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park’s annual holiday celebration, updated for 2024.
If you’re looking for somewhere fun to take the family for Christmas, this festive attraction is an excellent option.
In the video below, Sinead, a tour guide with Free Tours by Foot, takes you on a virtual walk through Winter Wonderland.
You might also want to consider checking our London Travel Tips group on Facebook to get an idea of what to expect at this holiday fair.
- Tickets
- Discounts
- What is Winter Wonderland?
- Things to Do
- Tips From Locals
- London for Christmas
- Hyde Park
Winter Wonderland Tickets
Entry to this attraction is free during off-peak periods, but you'll have to pay for tickets during peak hours:
- £5 on Standard hours (+ £0.50 fee)
- £7.50 on Peak hours (+ £0.50 fee)
- Prices may vary for different timings on the same day as well.
Tickets are free when you spend £25 or more on attractions, rides, games, food, or drinks at the same time you pay for admission online and in advance.
This is all likely done for crowd control because Winter Wonderland attracts a lot more visitors on weekends.
If possible, consider visiting during the daytime and/or on weekdays to avoid both the crowds and ticket prices.
To purchase your tickets in advance:
- Select a date and time slot to enter Winter Wonderland. Time slots are 2 hours. Once you have entered, you can stay as long as you like.
- Choose attractions and rides (if you wish to do so). Select entry time slots for each.
- Choose food packages (if you wish to do so).
- Checkout and pay.
Learn more or purchase tickets here.
Winter Wonderland Discounts
There are a few different ways to save money on tickets to Winter Wonderland.
In addition to deals on admission, there are also discounts on rides, lodging, and other amenities you might want to consider before heading to Hyde Park.
Free Admission
Tickets are usually free during the mornings from November to early December.
Last year, tickets are available for free. For this year the dates are yet to be announced.
- November 17th - December 8th
- December 31st - January 2nd
- Free Dates: Monday - Thursday
- Free Hours: 10 am - 12 pm
Some dates in early November will also have free tickets from 12 pm - to 4 pm.
Free Tickets w/ £25 Purchase
If you’re planning to enjoy activities like ice skating or the giant wheel, you can purchase admission for those services ahead of time.
When you spend at least £25 on these attractions, you’ll be eligible for free tickets.
Get a Hotel Package
If you’re coming from out of town, you might need to get a hotel at some point, and there are companies offering great combo deals that include admission to Winter Wonderland.
Groupon currently has a deal that includes a 1-night hotel stay with breakfast, tickets to Winter Wonderland, and admission to one attraction for as little as £99 per person.
What is Winter Wonderland?
This is the biggest and most famous of all the Christmas markets in London.
Winter Wonderland originally opened in 2006, and it has grown over time to feature the UK's largest outdoor ice-skating rink, a giant Ferris Wheel, a magical ice kingdom, several foods, merchandise stalls, and more.
How to Get Here
Located at Hyde Park, this festive attraction is easily accessible via the London Underground and other public transportation options.
If you’re planning to take a hop-on hop-off bus tour, it’s worth noting most of their buses make several stops at or around this royal park.
Hyde Park is located behind Buckingham Palace in Westminster. This park also borders Mayfair and Kensington Gardens.
Use the map below to get specific directions from wherever you are in London.
Winter Wonderland Hours
This holiday attraction is open during the following dates and hours:
- Dates: November 17th, 2023 - January 1st, 2024. For 2024, Dates are TBA.
- Hours: 10 am - 10 pm every day.
- Closed on December 25th
Things to Do at Winter Wonderland
This isn’t just your average Christmas market! There are a lot of fun family attractions and activities at Winter Wonderland.
Here are a few of the most notable options you might want to consider:
- Ice Rink
- Santa Land
- Real Ice Slide
- Cirque Berserk
- The Giant Wheel
- Magical Ice Kingdom
- Zippo’s Christmas Circus
- The Time Machine (rollercoaster)
- Canadian Mountie Funhouse
- The Hangover (drop tower)
- Christmas Tree Ride
- Haunted Mansion
- Euro Coaster
- And more!
Restaurants and Food at Winter Wonderland
There are also a lot of food options at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.
Here are a few of the restaurants you might want to visit:
- Carousel Bar
- Arctic Lodge
- Thor’s Tipi
- Explorer’s Rest
- The Fire Pit
- The Sleigh-by
- Bavarian Village
- And more!
In addition to these options, you’ll also find a lot of amazing street food at Winter Wonderland.
While it’s not all easy to consume on the go, there’s plenty of seating in the Sleigh-by, and you might want to sit down for some of these awesome options:
- Oh My Dog!
- Santa’s Grill
- Truffle Burger
- Love Churros
- The Mac Factory
- The Texas Smoker
- Billy Bob’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken
- And more!
Check this list to see all of the delicious street food vendors that will be at Winter Wonderland.
Tips From Locals
Every holiday season, our London Travel Tips Facebook Group lights up with questions about the Winter Wonderland.
Some suggestions might even shock you, as not everyone enjoys this Christmas market. Many members of our group recommend better alternatives instead!
A lot of visitors feel this attraction is overpriced and tacky, but some enjoy their experience and suggest going at least once.
Families especially seem to love the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, which makes sense considering all of the amusement rides and activities for kids.
Ultimately, it's pretty clear that a lot of people don't actually enjoy this holiday fair, but many consider it an experience worth having.
We'll leave it to our London tour guide Jessica to explain it best, as she so often does!
