Winter Wonderland London: dates, tickets, prices and attractions 2026

Winter Wonderland in London transforms part of Hyde Park into a huge Christmas fair every winter, with rides, an ice rink, shows, ice sculptures, a giant observation wheel, a Christmas market, bars and street food stalls. Since it first opened in 2007, the event has grown considerably and is now one of London's biggest festive attractions.

For the 2026-2027 season, Winter Wonderland runs from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Entry requires a ticket with a specific arrival time slot, with prices varying depending on the day and time you choose.

Dates, opening hours, tickets, prices, attractions and practical tips: here is everything you need to know before booking your visit to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.

Winter Wonderland 2026-2027 dates

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland runs this season from Thursday 19 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.

The event is open every day during this period, with one important exception: Winter Wonderland is closed on 25 December.

What are the Winter Wonderland opening hours?

Winter Wonderland closes at 10pm, but opening times vary depending on the day. Most dates start at 10am, while some days in November and December open later.

For the 2026-2027 season, the announced exceptions are:

• 19 and 20 November: opens at 12pm;
• 23 to 26 November: opens at 12pm;
• 27 November: opens at 11am;
• 30 November: opens at 12pm;
• 1 December: opens at 2pm;
• 2 December: opens at 12pm;
• 3 and 4 December: opens at 11am;
• 7 to 11 December: opens at 11am;
• 14 to 18 December: opens at 11am;
• 28 December to 1 January: opens at 11am.

On other days, Winter Wonderland opens at 10am. As tickets are linked to a specific arrival time, always check the time shown on your booking before travelling.

Do you need a ticket to enter Winter Wonderland?

Yes. All visitors need an entry ticket, including children. Your ticket is valid for a specific date and arrival time slot.

Prices vary depending on the day and time selected. For 2026, Winter Wonderland is offering 500,000 Off-Peak tickets for £1 during selected Monday-to-Thursday time slots in November. Busier periods are available at higher prices.

Booking fees are now included in the prices displayed online. This means the price shown at the beginning of the booking process is the final price of your entry ticket.

Tickets may also be available on the day if time slots remain, but popular periods can sell out. Booking in advance also gives you access to advance ticket prices.

How do Winter Wonderland entry time slots work?

When booking, you select a date and arrival time. You must enter Winter Wonderland during the time slot shown on your ticket.

Once inside, you can stay until closing time. Your time slot therefore determines when you enter, rather than how long you can stay.

Can you get free entry by booking attractions?

Yes. If you spend at least £25 online in advance on eligible activities, you unlock one free Winter Wonderland entry ticket.

Each £25 spent unlocks an additional free entry ticket. To qualify, purchases must be made in a single transaction and before your visit.

Pre-bookable attractions, rides, packages, Ride & Game Credit and selected food and drink offers can be included in the qualifying spend.

This can be particularly worthwhile if you already know that you want to book several activities: depending on your chosen entry slot, you can save up to £9.50 per person on admission.

Check tickets and availability on the official Winter Wonderland website.

How much does a visit to Winter Wonderland cost?

Your budget will largely depend on what you plan to do. An Off-Peak entry ticket can cost as little as £1, but most attractions, rides and shows are charged separately.

A visit focused mainly on the decorations, Christmas market and atmosphere will therefore cost considerably less than a day including ice skating, the Giant Wheel, several rides, games and food.

Winter Wonderland also offers a range of packages, ride passes and prepaid credits. These can be worthwhile if several of the included activities are already part of your plans.

Which passes are available in 2026?

Some of the passes available this season include:

• the Coaster Pass, covering several roller coasters;
• the Explorer Pass, combining family-friendly rides and thrill attractions;
• the Five Peaks Ride Pass, aimed at visitors looking for the most intense rides;
• the Santa Land Unlimited Ride Pass, designed for families and providing unlimited access to a selection of Santa Land rides during the day;
• Ride & Game Credit, prepaid credit that can be used on participating rides and games.

The offers and what they include can change from one season to another. Before buying a pass, compare its price with the attractions you actually intend to visit.

What can you do at Winter Wonderland?

Winter Wonderland is much more than a Christmas market. The site is closer to a huge winter funfair, divided into several areas with different atmospheres.

The 2026 edition features more than 150 attractions, rides and shows. There is no need to try to do everything: a few carefully chosen activities can easily fill an afternoon or evening.

Winter Wonderland Ice Rink

The Ice Rink remains one of Winter Wonderland's signature attractions. Described as the UK's largest outdoor ice rink, it surrounds the Victorian bandstand in Hyde Park beneath a canopy of lights.

Skating sessions must be booked separately. If you want to skate at a particular time, it is better to book your session alongside your entry ticket rather than waiting until you arrive.

The Giant Wheel

The Giant Wheel towers over much of Winter Wonderland. Standing 70 metres high, it is described by the organiser as the world's tallest transportable observation wheel.

It offers views across Hyde Park and part of the London skyline. The experience is particularly impressive after dark, when Winter Wonderland is fully illuminated.

Magical Ice Kingdom

The Magical Ice Kingdom is an immersive attraction featuring sculptures made from ice and snow. For the 2026-2027 season, the theme is Neverland.

Temperatures inside are deliberately kept very low, so keep your coat, gloves and scarf on during your visit.

Rides and thrill attractions

A large part of Winter Wonderland is dedicated to rides. Alongside family-friendly attractions, there are several roller coasters and thrill rides, many of which can be found in Thrillville.

If rides are your priority, a ride pass can be simpler than paying for each attraction separately. If you are visiting with children, remember to check individual height and age restrictions before booking.

Circus shows and live entertainment

Winter Wonderland also features big-top shows and live entertainment. One of the new additions for 2026 is the Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus, combining music, acrobatics and circus performances.

Other shows are available on selected dates. If there is a particular performance you do not want to miss, book in advance, as some sessions can sell out.

Bar Ice and Real Ice Slide

In the Arctic Circle area, several attractions embrace the winter theme. Bar Ice is set inside an environment sculpted from ice, while the Real Ice Slide lets visitors race down a genuine ice slide.

These experiences cost extra and are not included with general admission.

Visiting Winter Wonderland with children

Families can easily spend several hours at Winter Wonderland without going anywhere near the most intense attractions. The main area for younger children is Santa Land, which brings together family rides and Christmas activities.

Is Santa's Grotto free?

Yes. Santa's Grotto at Winter Wonderland is free.

It generally operates from 10am to 6pm and cannot be booked in advance: access is on a first-come, first-served basis. On particularly busy days, however, the queue may close before 6pm.

Children who meet Santa also receive a small gift.

Which rides are best for young children?

Santa Land has more than 15 family-friendly rides. The Santa Land Unlimited Ride Pass can be worthwhile if your children want to go on several of them, as it provides unlimited access to a selection of participating rides during the day.

Before buying, check the restrictions for each attraction: not every ride is necessarily suitable for the same age or height.

For more festive family ideas, see our guide to meeting Santa in London.

Christmas market, food and bars

You can easily enjoy Winter Wonderland without going on any rides. The site includes a Christmas market, illuminated areas, bars and numerous food stalls.

The organiser advertises more than 80 street food stalls and bars. The selection combines Christmas market classics with more contemporary food, alongside several places to sit down, eat and drink.

Vendors and menus can change from one year to another. If a particular venue or food offer interests you, check the app or the current season's programme before visiting.

If the Christmas market is more important to you than the rides, take a look at our selection of the best Christmas markets in London.

When is the best time to visit Winter Wonderland?

There is no single perfect time to visit: it depends on the atmosphere you are looking for.

For a good balance, visiting on a weekday in the late afternoon allows you to explore Winter Wonderland before the main evening rush while still enjoying the lights after dark.

How do you get to Winter Wonderland?

Winter Wonderland occupies a large part of Hyde Park. There are several entrances, so the best Tube station depends on which area you want to reach first.

If you have booked an attraction shortly after arriving, choose your station according to its location rather than automatically heading to Marble Arch.

Driving is rarely the most convenient option for visiting Hyde Park. Public transport generally makes it easier to avoid central London traffic and parking difficulties.

Is Winter Wonderland accessible for disabled visitors?

Winter Wonderland provides a range of accessibility measures. The organiser offers free Personal Assistant tickets for eligible visitors, alongside various measures designed to make attractions easier to access.

Accessible toilets and other adapted facilities are also available on site. As accessibility arrangements vary between attractions, it is best to check the information for the specific activity you want to book.

What is Winter Wishes?

On 1 December 2026, Winter Wonderland hosts Winter Wishes, an accessible session designed for certain visitors who may find it more difficult to enjoy the event under its usual conditions.

The session includes reduced visitor numbers and various sensory adaptations. Specific eligibility and registration requirements apply, so it should not be confused with a standard entry time slot.

Is the Winter Wonderland app useful?

The official app can be useful once you are inside. It keeps your tickets together, lets you check your Ride & Game Credit and includes an interactive map with geolocation.

You can also use it to find attractions, toilets and food outlets, plan your visit and add certain activities to an existing booking.

Winter Wonderland is large enough for the map to be genuinely useful, particularly on a first visit.

How long should you spend at Winter Wonderland?

Allow at least 2 to 3 hours if you simply want to explore the site, grab something to eat and enjoy one or two activities.

If you have several attractions booked, plan to go ice skating or want to see a show, half a day is more realistic. Families using a ride pass can easily spend much of the day there.

There is no need to try to see everything. Winter Wonderland is more enjoyable when you leave enough time to wander around, eat and enjoy the atmosphere between bookings.

What should you wear to Winter Wonderland?

Most of the event takes place outdoors, so bring warm clothing, a waterproof layer and, above all, comfortable shoes.

The ground can be wet after rain and you may end up walking considerably farther than expected. Warm clothing is particularly useful for attractions such as the Magical Ice Kingdom and Bar Ice.

Check the London weather forecast before setting off as well, as some outdoor attractions may be affected by poor conditions.

Is Winter Wonderland worth visiting?

Winter Wonderland is particularly worth visiting if you enjoy funfairs, Christmas lights, rides and big festive events. It is much larger and livelier than a traditional Christmas market.

If you are mainly looking for a peaceful stroll between small craft stalls, some of London's other Christmas markets will probably suit you better.

For families or anyone visiting London at Christmas for the first time, Winter Wonderland can easily fill half a day. The best way to keep the cost under control is to decide in advance which two or three attractions you really want to experience.

What can you do in London around Winter Wonderland?

Hyde Park is ideally located for continuing your day in central London. After Winter Wonderland, you can head towards Oxford Street, New Bond Street or Regent Street to see the Christmas lights in London.

To plan the rest of your trip, see our complete guide to Christmas in London and our selection of the best Christmas ice rinks in London.

Winter Wonderland London FAQ

What are the Winter Wonderland dates in 2026?

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park runs from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The event is closed on 25 December.

Is Winter Wonderland free?

Not always. Some Off-Peak tickets are available from £1, while busier time slots cost more. You can also unlock free entry by spending at least £25 online in advance on eligible activities.

Do you need to book Winter Wonderland in advance?

Booking in advance is strongly recommended. Tickets may still be available on the day, but some time slots sell out and advance prices are generally better.

Do children need a ticket?

Yes. Every visitor needs their own entry ticket, including children.

Can you stay after your entry time slot?

Yes. Your time slot refers to your arrival time, not the length of your visit. Once you have entered Winter Wonderland, you can stay until closing time.

Is Winter Wonderland open on Christmas Day?

No. Winter Wonderland is closed on 25 December.

What is the best time to visit Winter Wonderland?

Weekdays and earlier time slots are generally better if you want a less crowded atmosphere. For the full effect of the Christmas lights, late afternoon and evening are the best times to visit.

Is Santa's Grotto free?

Yes. Meeting Santa at Santa's Grotto is free and does not require a reservation. Access is on a first-come, first-served basis.

How long do you need at Winter Wonderland?

Two to three hours is enough for a first visit with a few activities. If you want to enjoy several attractions, shows or rides, allow around half a day.

Which Tube station is best for Winter Wonderland?

There is no single best station. Marble Arch, Bond Street, Hyde Park Corner, Green Park, Victoria, Knightsbridge, High Street Kensington and Paddington can all be convenient depending on the entrance and area you want to reach.

Summary

Winter Wonderland 2026-2027 takes place in Hyde Park from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 and is closed on 25 December. Every visitor needs a ticket with an arrival time slot, with selected Off-Peak tickets in November available from £1.

The Ice Rink, Giant Wheel, Magical Ice Kingdom, shows, Santa Land and rides all cost extra. Spending at least £25 in advance on eligible activities can also unlock free entry.

For a first visit, there is no need to try to do everything. Choose a few activities you genuinely want to experience, leave some time to explore the site and book your must-do attractions before you arrive.