Hyde Park Winter Wonderland returns for its nineteenth year in 2026, transforming the 350-acre park into an Alpine-themed festive funscape. Organisers expect around 2.5 million visitors over the six-week run, from Thursday 19 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Entry costs £1 during November, rising to £5.50 for standard December times and £8.50 for peak times, according to Time Out's guide.
Attractions and Entertainment Highlights
The event features fairground rides, a child-friendly Santa Land with a Grotto where presents await, and traditional Christmas markets for gift shopping. New for this year is the Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus, a show combining K-Pop music, puppet dragons and circus acts, performed three to five times daily.
The 1,795 square foot ice rink, surrounding the Victorian bandstand, is illuminated by a canopy of over 100,000 lights. The Magical Ice Kingdom's indoor ice sculpture park adopts a Neverland theme, with sculptures including an ice slide based on JM Barrie's Peter Pan. Visitors can also enjoy the Real Ice Slide and ice sculpting workshops.
Pricing and Budget Tips
Entry during November costs £1, while December adult tickets are £5.50 for standard times and £8.50 for peak times. Individual attractions carry separate fees: Bar Ice ranges £17.05-£19.80, Magical Ice Kingdom £10.20-£14.60, Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus £13.75-£22, and the ice rink £12.65-£19.25.
To save money, visitors can book off-peak times, either earlier in the day during December or by visiting in November or the New Year. Booking Magical Ice Kingdom and ice rink tickets together with off-peak entry saves 20%. Entry becomes free when pre-booking £25 or more in attractions, rides, food or drinks, as detailed on the Winter Wonderland website.
Skating Rules and Accessibility
There is no minimum age for skaters, but under-12s must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over. The smallest hire skates are children's size 9, with adult sizes up to 13. Visitors can use their own skates provided they are not speed skates. Wheelchair users are welcome on the ice, and ice guides can supervise groups of up to 15 skaters for an additional charge.
Getting There and Entry Gates
Four entry points serve different areas. Red Gate, near Marble Arch and Bond Street, is closest to Santa Land and Thrillville. Blue Gate, near Hyde Park Corner, Green Park and Victoria, leads to Skater's Corner and Show Town. Green Gate, near Knightsbridge and High Street Kensington, accesses Bavarian Village and Market Square. Gold Gate, near Marble Arch and Paddington, is closest to Arctic Circle and Luminarie Lane.
Visitors should pre-book tickets online for popular times like weekends and school holidays, selecting a two-hour arrival timeslot. Door tickets are subject to availability. The full site takes about three hours to explore, so warm clothing and advance booking are recommended.
