Looking for fun things to do in London during your Christmas breaks? Escape to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland and celebrate the festive season in style! Open from November January*, this spectacular event is one of the capital’s top attractions. With everything from an ice rink for the family to an ice bar for the grown-ups, traditional market stalls to thrilling rollercoasters, visiting this London event should be right at the top of your Christmas list. Why not make a weekend of it and book one of our Premier Inn Hyde Park hotels? That way, you can enjoy this festive favourite as soon as it opens and beat the crowds before exploring some of the best Christmas UK markets.
Winter Wonderland 2026
Things to do at Winter Wonderland
Meeting Santa
He’s making a list, he’s checking it twice – and he’s sitting in Santa Land every day! It’s free to enter Santa’s Grotto, and kids even get a small gift afterwards – however, bear in mind that this is one of the most popular Winter Wonderland activities. Meet and greets with Santa can’t be pre-booked, which can lead to long queues and even early closures on busy days. Santa Land itself is also free to enter, but you’ll need to pay for any rides with tokens from the token booths.
Winter Wonderland rides
The festive fairground is one of the most popular parts of Winter Wonderland Hyde Park – and with so many rides to choose from, it’s easy to see why! There’s everything from classics like The Giant Wheel and Helter Skelter to modern rides like Euro Coaster and the Aeronaut Starflyer, and the Munich Looping ride – the world’s biggest transportable rollercoaster – is a must for thrill-seekers. Plus, with a Real Ice Slide, Zippos Christmas Circus and wild indoor rides like Ice Mountain, there’s something to keep all ages entertained.
Food & drink
Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is a dream come true for foodies! From chocolate-covered waffles and pancakes to festival favourites like hot dog and chips, Street Food Village offers all kinds of festive treats to tuck into. The beloved Bavarian Village is the perfect place to snuggle up and enjoy a beer and a bratwurst, and spots like the Fire Pit and Explorer’s Rest are ideal for Christmas work parties in 2026 thanks to their mix of live music and drinks!
Winter Wonderland Ice Skating
If you’re enjoying romantic breaks in London, then gliding around Hyde Park’s Ice Rink with live music playing from the Victorian bandstand might be the perfect way to end your day out. The largest open air ice rink in the UK is open from 10am to 9pm every day, and open to all ages**. Sessions start on the hour and last for 45 minutes but must be booked in advance – this is one of the most popular things to do in London at Christmas, so you won’t be able to just turn up and skate. If you’re a bit unsteady, you can even book an Ice Guide for a lesson – or just to help you up when you fall over!
Magical Ice Kingdom
Hyde Park’s Magical Ice Kingdom is a must for all ages! Experience this enchanting walk-through attraction filled with ice sculptures of magical creatures, mythical palaces and much more – just be sure to wrap up warm! Afterwards, adults can chill out at Bar Ice, an Apres-ski themed club complete with a DJ and tasty ice cocktails. Ice Kingdom sessions last between 20 and 30 minutes which may sound short, but thanks to the -10°C temperature, you wouldn’t want to stay for much longer!
Winter Wonderland market
From last minute Christmas gifts to unique handmade ornaments, you won’t want to miss exploring what’s on offer at The Market Square! Over 200 traditional wooden chalets are packed with Christmassy things for you to discover, including all kinds of festive arts, crafts and souvenirs – you’ll feel like you’re strolling through German Christmas markets right in the heart of London!
Winter Wonderland London history
Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland first started back in the early 2000s when it was just an outdoor ice rink and a Christmas market. Since then, it’s become one of the most popular places to visit in London at Christmas! From November to January, a huge area near Hyde Park Corner transforms into a fairy-tale land, complete with traditional fairground rides, a giant observation wheel, a circus and – of course – Santa’s Grotto. There’s something to make everyone feel merry and bright with beautiful festive displays, exciting amusements and plenty of mulled wine and hot chocolate served from Bavarian-style bars and cafes in the Street Food Village!
Hotels near Winter Wonderland
Looking for hotels near Winter Wonderland? With so many things to do in the UK this Christmas, it’s time to turn a day out into a weekend break! Why not make the most out of your stay and visit all the best UK Christmas markets or join in with the New Year's Eve celebrations?
London Paddington (Paddington Basin)
London Kensington (Earl's Court)
London Leicester Square
London Victoria
London Kensington (Olympia)
hub London Covent Garden
Book Christmas breaks with Premier Inn
Stay near Winter Wonderland
Looking for hotels near Winter Wonderland? We’ve got you covered! Our Premier Inn hotels near Hyde Park have everything you need for festive family stays close to the action, including great value rooms with super-comfy beds and free Wi-Fi. Our hub hotels are close by too – book cosy, contemporary rooms near Marble Arch and get the most out of your Christmas breaks in London.
Book a Premier Plus room
This winter, why not treat yourself to a little more luxury by booking one of our Premier Plus rooms? Enjoy our enhanced rooms near Winter Wonderland, offering all the comfort you know and love, plus added perks like Ultimate Wi-Fi, a mini-fridge and snacks, a rainfall shower and more throughout Christmas getaways.
Eating near Winter Wonderland
Once you’ve worked up an appetite on Winter Wonderland’s rides and amusements, come and join us for tasty festive feasts and Christmas cocktails! You’ll find plenty of on-site restaurants nearby – including our stylish Paddington Bar + Block Steakhouse – and in the mornings, you can wake up to our unlimited Premier Inn Breakfast! Mouth-watering meals throughout your Christmas breaks – what’s not to love?
Why stop at Winter Wonderland?
Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland might be one of the biggest winter attractions in London, but there are so many other exciting things to do this Christmas. Visit our Christmas breaks page to discover festive inn-spiration like the best places to see Christmas lights before booking a New Year’s Eve break to get excited about. If you’re planning ahead, we’ve got you covered when it comes to Easter breaks, half term holidays and fun days out with the kids too!
FAQs
Do I need to book Winter Wonderland in advance?
Planning ahead is key – you’ll need to buy Winter Wonderland tickets in advance to get into the event, and you’ll also need to pre-book slots for the most popular rides and activities. Just choose your perfect date and time, buy your tickets, then eat, drink and be merry!
Can I buy tickets for Winter Wonderland rides ahead of time?
Planning your trip to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland? Slots on some of the most popular rides and activities – like Ice Mountain and Munich Looping – can be booked in advance, while others like meeting Santa are available on a first come, first served basis each day. So make sure you do your research to get the most out of your visit this winter!
How much is a ticket for Winter Wonderland 2026?
Entry is free during off-peak times, or around £7.50 if you’re visiting during peak hours. Most of the rides and amusements are also payable, and token booths are available around the attraction.
Where is Winter Wonderland in London?
Winter Wonderland is located in Hyde Park, one of the most famous parks in London. Plus, it’s surrounded by other iconic London landmarks such as Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace and the Royal Albert Hall!
How to get to Winter Wonderland?
Getting to Winter Wonderland is probably easiest via public transport. The nearest mainline stations are Paddington and Victoria, but there are several tube stations nearby too – Marble Arch and Hyde Park Corner are closest, while Green Park station is best if you want a tube station with no steps. You’ll be spoilt for choice with buses near Hyde Park too. Cycling is another great option – just make sure you park your bike in an authorised spot. Alternatively, why not hire a bike? There are Santander Cycle stations all over Hyde Park which let you hire a bike from as little as £2, before putting it back in another station when you’ve finished. If you’re planning on driving to Winter Wonderland, just bear in mind that there can be a lot of traffic in Central London – and parking is expensive!
When does Winter Wonderland start?
This year, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland starts in November and runs to January. Make sure you book your tickets in advance though – this is one of the most popular Christmas attractions in the UK!
What time does Hyde Park Winter Wonderland open?
Winter Wonderland is open from 10am to 10pm, except on Christmas Day. It’s worth planning exactly when you’d like to visit though – while Winter Wonderland looks incredible all lit-up at night, it’s a much quieter attraction during the day. So, if you want to beat the crowds, morning and afternoon visits are ideal!
* The last entry into the attraction is 9.30pm.
** Skating is not recommended for those under the age of 3. Children from 3-12 must be accompanied by an adult.