First look at London’s Winter Wonderland opening next week – with over 100 rides, 35m ice slide and huge new themed area
LONDON’s Winter Wonderland will be opening later this month with a slew of brand-new attractions and reimagined activities.
The winter attraction will run for six weeks in the capital’s Hyde Park, with a variety of attractions, activities, entertainment, and food on offer.
Winter Wonderland’s Magical Ice Kingdom will be returning in 2023, but this time it will have a brand-new theme: the Nine Realms of Norse Mythology.
Inside the Viking Ice Village, which is a temperature-controlled environment, more than 500 tonnes of snow and ice have been used to build mythical ice sculptures.
There are more than 250 ice sculptures on display, with some taller than 5 metres.
The winter attraction’s Christmas Market has also been given a slightly new look thanks to the Scandinavian-themed Market Square.
Inside the brand-new Scandi-inspired market, there will be Danish-style chalets, artisanal crafts, and hygge bars.
Fan-favourites, like the Real Ice Slide, will also form part of this year’s festivities.
The Real Ice Slide will require visitors to climb up to the top of the slide before heading down the 35m slope on a rubber ring.
Meanwhile, the open-air Ice Rink will also be returning for the 2023 season.
Visitors will be able to skate across the 1,795 square metre rink as live acoustic music plays in the background.
Other popular attractions include the Giant Wheel, ice sculpting workshops, and Zippos Christmas Circus.
For those looking for something a little more high-octane, there’s also Munich Looping, the world’s largest transportable rollercoaster.
Other rides include the Aeronaut Starflyer, the XXL, and the Blizzard.
Those who aren’t keen on big rides will be able to watch the Cirque Berserk show Tornado – an “adrenaline-fuelled circus stunt” show performed by a troupe of daredevils.
Food and drinks like mulled wine, hot chocolate, and steins of Bavarian beer can also be purchased.
Winter Wonderland will be open from November 17, 2023, until January 1, 2024.
It will be open from 10:00am until 10:00pm every day between those two dates, excluding Christmas Day.
Entry tickets to the Winter Wonderland went on sale earlier this year.
While entry is free in the morning and early afternoons on certain days, prices for peak times range from £5-£7.50.
Visitors can also purchase the Santaland Unlimited Ride Pass, which gives parkgoers unrestricted access to over 15 family-friendly rides, including Race-O-Rama, Santaland Express Train, Winter Spinner, and Racing Coaster.
The pass costs £25, and it includes free entry to Winter Wonderland.
The nearest London Underground stations to Hyde Park are Bond Street, Green Park, Knightsbridge, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Paddington, and Victoria.
Several bus routes will also get you there, and Paddington, Victoria, and Marylebone train stations are also nearby.
Those who plan on getting there by car should park in the Q-park, which has entrances at Park Lane and Marble Arch.
There are plenty of other Christmas attractions in the UK.
One of those is The Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham, which is said to be the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany.
Here are the best Christmas markets to visit in the UK this winter.
Later this month, Christmas by the Sea will also be returning to Blackpool.
Among several rides and Christmas activities, there will also be festive chalets, simulated snowfalls, and a snow slide.