London Christmas markets 2022: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland - opening dates, how to pre-book tickets and rides

For 14 years, Hyde Park in London has been transformed into a magical place for families to enjoy the run up to Christmas, and in its 15th year, the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland returns to the royal park with food, drink, shows and rides.

And looking at some of the white-knuckle rides organisers have announced will feature as part of the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, you might want to slow down on all the festive fare on offer before hopping on the Munich Looping, for example. For a more passive affair, expect Christmas Markets, a Street Food Village and of course a trip to Santa Land!

The Hyde Park Winter Wonderland runs parallel with the park’s famous landmarks including the Serpentine Lake, Speakers’ Corner and Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, with organisers asking the question “Why not make a day of it and come down early to explore the park, then finish the day on a high with a visit to Winter Wonderland?”

A staple in London’s advent calendar, Londonworld can help you fill out your Christmas wish-list when it comes to this year’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

What activities will there be at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland?

For thrill seekers, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has brought back rollercoaster favourites the Munich Looping, Wild Maus and the vertigo-inducing XXL with two new high adrenaline rides:

Hollenblitz (‘Hell’s Lightning’ in English) has steep drops, flaming torches, a 30m high waterfall and a dazzling laser show as this breathtaking ride will spin you around an old mine shaft at a dizzying 50mph.

The Aeronaut Starflyer is the world’s largest transportable Starflyer (at a whopping 80m) with guests seated in a double seat next to their friend, family or partner. Secured in their seats, thrill-seekers move up and down and around and around, as the giant tower reaches speeds of up to 45mph.

For something a little less gruelling, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland will also see the debut of Hotel Edelweiss - a huge, multi-level funhouse walk-through in Bavarian style, with lots of tricks along a 300m alpine obstacle course, plus surprising illusion-rooms inside. The 28m front features a stunning free entertainment programme with a multitude of moving, talking and singing animatronics.

Family favourites including Zippos Christmas Circus and the sometimes gentle act of ice skating will be making their returns also.

Given the nature of some of the performances and rides, we’ve included the age rating for each attraction.

Attractions

• Ice Skating
• Magical Ice Kingdom
• Bar Ice (18+)
• Real Ice Slide
• The Giant Wheel
• Zippos Christmas Circus
• Ice Sculpting Workshops (12+)
• Cirque Berserk (12+)

Rides

• Munich Looping
• Hollenblitz
• Wilde Maus
• Eurocoaster
• Ice Mountain
• Hangover
• Aeronaut Starflyer
• Blizzard
• XXL
• Discovery
• Dr. Archibald (VR Experience)
• Edelweiss Funhouse
• Irrgarten Funhouse
• Christmas Tree Ride
• Haunted Mansion
• Snow Jet
• Helter Skelter
• Santa Land Train
• Racing Coaster
• Flying Jumbo’s

When does Hyde Park Winter Wonderland take place?

The Hyde Park Winter Wonderland takes place from November 18, 2022 and continues until January 3, 2023, with gates open from 10am and closing in the evening at 10pm.

The event will be running seven days a week, but it is advised to check the events ‘peak times’ which can be done ahead of booking tickets and planning your itinerary.

Where can I get tickets for Hyde Park Winter Wonderland?

Tickets to the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland are currently on sale now through the Winter Wonderland’s website, with entry from £5 per person (infants under two and personal assistants can enter for free).

After booking entry tickets, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland will then help you plan your day by asking you to select which attractions and rides you would like to book in for, alongside coins for the video game arcades and food and drink for your day out.

A comprehensive price list of how much the attractions and rides will cost ahead of booking tickets is also available through the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland ticketing website.

As well as advising visitors of peak times, the ticketing website also offers guests a two hour time slot to choose from to reduce congestion.

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