Winter Wonderland - Hyde Park
Event preview
FROM Saturday, November 21, 2009 to Sunday, January 3, 2010, Winter Wonderland, set between Hyde Park Corner and the Serpentine, will once again transform London’s Hyde Park into an exciting world of ice and festive fun that will delight not only children but adults too.
With over 1.5 million visitors to date, Winter Wonderland introduces even more rides, attractions and games never before seen in the UK, and entry is free.
Once again the event features London’s largest Ice Rink, and the iconic 50m Observation Wheel, with 40 heated pods offering truly spectacular views across the city. Winter Wonderland also boasts the most atmospheric German Christmas Market in the country, with over 60 individual Tyrolean-style chalets selling unique and quirky gifts, overlooked by central London’s only Rollercoaster.
New for 2009, visitors can enjoy Zippo’s Christmas Circus in its very own heated big top with a show especially created for Winter Wonderland. The free Father Christmas which Time Out named ‘Best Outdoor Experience’ will be welcoming children with a surprise gift. Winter Wonderland has also been nominated for ‘Consumer Event of the Year’ at the Visit London Awards 2009.
Fantastic food and drink contributes to making Winter Wonderland such a phenomenal success. Bratwurst sausages and continental beer, steaks and Gluwein are amongst the offerings in the Bavarian Village, the House of St Nicholas and the two-storey Café Grell.
Amongst the other heated cafes and bars are culinary delights closer to home by way of hog-roasts, pies, hot cider and real ale. And Winter Wonderland would not be complete without beautifully themed ‘Candy Castles’ selling gingerbread hearts, roasted nuts, crepes and Christmas stollen.
Celebrities and their families including the Beckhams, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Nicole Kidman, Chris Martin, Uma Thurman, Gwen Steffani, and Girls Aloud have all experienced the fairytale magic of Winter Wonderland – who will be spotted this year?
Special advance tickets are available for the Ice Rink (which sold out in record time last year) along with the Giant Wheel and Zippo’s Christmas Circus. Other attractions operate on a pay-as-you-ride basis, with prices starting at just £2 for under 12s and £3 for those aged 12 and over. With free live music ranging from choirs to Oompah bands Winter Wonderland offers good value entertainment for all the family.
Times: Mondays to Sundays from 10am to 10pm.
For more information visit the official Winter Wonderland website.