A guide to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2025 (plus your chance to WIN a family day out worth £300+)

Every year, as the lights start twinkling across London, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland opens its gates to thousands of families looking for a bit of Christmas magic. And this year, from 14 November 2025 to 1 January 2026, it’s back bigger, brighter and more family-friendly than ever.

Whether your children are still at the Santa-believer stage or edging into too-cool-for-Elf-on-the-Shelf territory, there’s plenty to make the whole gang happy. Expect fairground rides, dazzling shows, the UK’s largest open-air ice rink, and more hot chocolate than you can shake a candy cane at.

JUMP TO: What's new? | Tickets and timings | Things to do | Planning your visit | Justin's singalong | WIN a family day out | Food and drink | Make the most of your day

What’s new for 2025 at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland? 

Even the most devoted Winter Wonderland fans will find something new this year.

The revamped Santa Land is now a full-on festive village, complete with London’s largest free Santa’s Grotto, an interactive Elves’ Workshop and the debut of Mrs Claus. Children can meet Santa then hop straight over to the Jingle Bell Bistro, a brand new street food market just for kids! For the best day out for little ones, nab the Santa Land Unlimited Ride, which gives unlimited all-day access to over 16 child-friendly rides including Santa’s Train Ride, Reindeer Ride and the Dragon’s Nest coaster.

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The Magical Ice Kingdom returns with a fresh theme - A Mystical, Mythical World - transforming 500 tonnes of ice and snow into dragons, unicorns and enchanted castles. It’s kept at -10°C, so wrap up warm -  it’s a showstopper for families with older children who love fantasy worlds and photo ops.

Circus fans will have a choice between two spectacular shows:

• Zippos Christmas Circus: a classic mix of acrobatics and clowning, perfect for little ones.

• Cirque Berserk: Ignite: a high-energy, stunt-filled show better suited to older children and teens.

And back by popular demand, Justin Fletcher (Mr Tumble himself) brings Justin’s Christmas Singalong to the big top for four exclusive performances - an unmissable treat for younger families.

There’s plenty to do for all ages at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Tickets, timings and how to get the best value

You’ll need to book a timed entry slot in advance this year, as entry is ticketed for everyone aged two and over. Prices vary depending on when you go:

• Off-peak entry: Free (£1 including booking fee)

• Standard entry: £5 (£5.50 including booking fee)

• Peak entry: £7.50 (£8.25 including booking fee)

If you spend £25 or more online in one go on rides, attractions, games or food packages, you’ll automatically get your entry for free.

For the best deal, plan ahead and take advantage of off-peak sessions, which are quieter and come with discounted attraction prices. Families can also save with one of the new bundled packages, which include free entry, 10% off attractions and 10% bonus ride credit.

Some of this year’s package highlights include:

• Arctic Adventure Package: Ice Skating, Magical Ice Kingdom and the Real Ice Slide, plus £20 Ride & Game Credit.

• Show Town Spectacular Package: Your choice of circus show, plus £30 Ride & Game Credit.

• Santa Land Package: Unlimited access to 16 kids’ rides in Santa Land plus a family meal deal.

What’s there for children of all ages

There’s something for all of the family at this year’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland:

Toddlers and under-fives

The newly expanded Santa Land is the place to start. Along with gentle rides and a visit with Father Christmas at Santa’s Grotto. You’ll find a Chill Space located in Santa Land that’s a perfect place to warm up and relax in a quiet area. There are also facilities here to warm up food and bottles for your baby.

If you’re visiting with younger children in the lead up to Christmas, choose a weekday or daytime session throughout November - crowds are a little quieter, and won’t be quite as overwhelming for smaller children. Additionally, the Family Fun Day on 1 January 2026 is another option, with arts and crafts workshops and a special children’s comedy show included in your entry.

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Primary schoolers

Kids aged five to ten will love exploring the Magical Ice Kingdom, joining in Justin’s Christmas Singalong (more on this below), or having a go on the Real Ice Slide. They can also burn off some energy at the Ice Rink by Priority from O2, which circles the Victorian bandstand, and finish up with hot chocolate and mini doughnuts from the street food stalls.

Tweens and teens

For older children, the mix of thrill rides, circus shows and live entertainment across the park means boredom isn’t on the cards. The Giant Wheel presented by Disney+ gives amazing views of London’s skyline, while the Après-Ski Village is great for live music and a festive atmosphere once the sun sets.

Plan ahead and prebook your tickets to save time during your visit

Planning your visit to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

• When: 14 November 2025 – 1 January 2026

• Where: Hyde Park, London

• Tickets: Entry is free at off-peak times or from £5 at standard times. Pre-book your arrival slot and tickets for rides or attractions in advance for the best prices and to qualify for free entry when you spend £25 or more online.

• Closed dates: 18, 24 and 25 November and Christmas Day.

• Timings: Timings are variable across sessions, so check online ahead when planning your visit

Justin’s Christmas Singalong at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

If you’ve got preschoolers or early primary kids, you’ll know that Justin Fletcher - aka Mr Tumble - is basically children’s TV royalty. His Christmas Singalong shows at Winter Wonderland are always a sell-out, and for good reason: they’re 45 minutes of pure, silly, festive joy that keeps kids utterly gripped.

Back for four exclusive performances this year, Justin will be performing in Show Town on:

• Saturday 22 November, 11am

• Sunday 30 November, 11am

• Tuesday 9 December, 12pm

• Friday 19 December, 12pm

Expect a mix of familiar favourites and big Christmas tunes, complete with dancing, audience participation and plenty of that trademark Justin energy. It’s all live and it’s designed to be inclusive and family-friendly - no age or height restrictions and buggies can be parked nearby.

Tickets are priced at £15 for adults, £12 for children, or £48 for a family of four, and it’s worth booking early as sessions tend to sell out fast.

Each show lasts 45 minutes, and you’ll need an entry ticket that gives you enough time to get to the Circus Megadome before it starts. The organisers recommend arriving 20 minutes before your session time, with the easiest entry through the Blue Gate.

It’s a relaxed and accessible performance, though do note that flashing lights are used throughout the show.

✨ Win a magical family day out at Winter Wonderland

We’ve teamed up with Hyde Park Winter Wonderland to give one lucky Mumsnet user the chance to win a festive family experience worth over £300.

The prize includes:

• 4 x Anytime entry tickets (2 adults + 2 children, or 1 adult + 3 children)

• 4 x Magical Ice Kingdom tickets

• 4 x Giant Wheel presented by Disney+ tickets

• 4 x Circus tickets (either Zippos Christmas Circus or Cirque Berserk: Ignite)

• 4 x Food vouchers

All you have to do is answer the question below…

Mumsnet T&Cs apply. The competition is open to UK residents only. Competition closes at 11.59pm on 5th December.

Food and drink at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

You could easily spend half your visit just eating. The Bavarian Village remains the heart of Winter Wonderland, with bratwurst, schnitzel and live bands offering a traditional taste of Bavaria. Families after something quicker can try the Jingle Bell Bistro, a new street food area featuring kids’ meal deals and QR-code ordering (so no standing in the cold while you queue).

If you fancy a proper sit-down moment, new this year is Morty + Bob’s Fondue dine-in restaurant. Prefer to enjoy a drink or two? There’s live entertainment across the whole site - including acoustic sets at Explorer’s Rest, plus roasted marshmallows at The Fire Pit Bar and Stage presented by Pepsi Max.

Families will have chance to meet Santa himself

How to make the most of your day at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

• Book early: Popular sessions and shows sell out fast.

• Go off-peak: Quieter, cheaper and much easier with small children.

• Layer up: It can get cold, especially inside the Magical Ice Kingdom.

• Bring snacks and refillable water bottles: There are free water stations dotted around the park.

• Arrive early for Santa: Queues can close early on busy days.

Once you’re inside, you can stay as long as you like - so if you’ve booked a 10am entry, you could be there for a full 12 hours of festive fun (if you’ve got the stamina).

About Winter Wonderland

Launched in 2007, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has grown from a small open-air Christmas market into one of London’s most beloved festive events. It’s now a proper family tradition - part theme park, part Christmas fair, and all-round seasonal joy.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. After birthing and breastfeeding two babies in two years, Rebecca knows first-hand the pressure of planning Christmas events for a family that a) don’t break the bank and b) make memories for all involved.

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog up and down country lanes.