Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2026 opens on Thursday 19 November 2026 and runs until Sunday 3 January 2027. It is open every day except Christmas Day, usually from 10am to 10pm (last entry 9:30pm), with later opening times on some weekdays in November and December.
Winter Wonderland London transforms Hyde Park into London’s best-known festive destination each year, drawing visitors for Christmas lights, rides, ice skating, shows, food and markets. The 2026 season runs from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Whether you’re planning a romantic evening, a family day out or a trip with friends, this guide from Park City Grand Plaza Kensington covers the dates, tickets and tips you need to plan your visit.
When Does Winter Wonderland Open? 2026 Dates and Opening Times
Winter Wonderland London dates for 2026: it opens on Thursday 19 November 2026 and runs until Sunday 3 January 2027. It is open every day of the season except Christmas Day (25 December).
Gate times vary by day, so there is no single daily opening time. Check the opening hours for your date in the official Winter Wonderland tickets guide before you travel, and allow time to queue at the entrance on busy evenings and weekends.
| Dates | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Most days, 19 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | 10am | 10pm (last entry 9:30pm) |
| 19–20 Nov, 23–26 Nov, 30 Nov, 2 Dec | 12pm | 10pm |
| 1 Dec | 2pm | 10pm |
| 27 Nov, 3–4 Dec, 7–11 Dec, 14–18 Dec, 28 Dec – 1 Jan | 11am | 10pm |
| 25 December | Closed | |
Source: the official Winter Wonderland tickets guide, checked 29 October 2026. Winter Wonderland opening times can change, so check your date before you travel.
Winter Wonderland Tickets 2026
Everyone needs an entry ticket, whatever their age. Tickets are sold online in one-hour entry slots. Entry becomes free when you spend over £25 in a single online transaction on rides, attractions, passes or meal deals. Monday to Thursday in November there are off-peak entry slots. For current prices and to book, use the official Winter Wonderland tickets guide.
Booking ahead secures your time slot and is the best way to avoid disappointment on busy dates, when entry can sell out. Tickets are for a set arrival time, which helps keep crowds moving through the day.
Some ticket packages and passes include entry, which can be good value for families and groups planning several attractions. The official tickets guide lists the current packages and what each one includes.
If you’re also seeing a Christmas concert, stay at our hotel near the Royal Albert Hall, on the south side of Kensington Gardens.
Ice Skating Around the Victorian Bandstand
The ice rink, built around Hyde Park’s Victorian bandstand and lit by thousands of twinkling lights, is one of Winter Wonderland’s best-known attractions. Skating sessions are timed and can sell out on busy dates, so book ahead and arrive early for skate fitting.
Ice rink prices vary by date and time, with off-peak sessions usually cheaper than evenings and weekends. Check current prices, session times and the rules for young skaters on the official tickets guide before you book.
The rink suits beginners and confident skaters alike, and skating around the lit-up bandstand makes for great photos.
The Giant Observation Wheel
The Giant Observation Wheel gives panoramic views across Hyde Park and central London. Its gentle rotation suits most ages, and ticket prices vary by date; see the official tickets guide for the latest prices.
A ride gives you time to take photos and pick out landmarks. Go on a clear day for the longest views, or after dark to see the park and the city lit up. Some ticket bundles include the wheel, so check those before you buy single tickets.
The Magical Ice Kingdom
The Magical Ice Kingdom is one of Winter Wonderland’s most immersive experiences, with sculptures carved from ice and snow. It is kept below freezing inside, so wrap up warm. Prices vary by date; check the official tickets guide.
You walk through a series of rooms filled with ice and snow sculptures, and there is usually an ice slide near the end. Children love it, and most adults do too.
It gets busy in the afternoons and evenings. If you can, go soon after the gates open for shorter queues.
Circus and Shows
Zippos Christmas Circus has been a Winter Wonderland favourite in recent seasons, with acrobats, trapeze artists and clowns in a traditional big top. Shows usually last around 90 minutes, and prices vary by performance; check the official website for the 2026 line-up and prices.
Cirque Berserk has also appeared in recent seasons with contemporary circus performances. Show line-ups change from year to year, so check what is on in 2026 before you book.
Shows for younger children have also featured in recent seasons, and the programme changes during the run. The full 2026 programme of shows is on the official website.
Santa Land and Santa’s Grotto
Santa Land is the area designed for younger children. In recent seasons it has included a free Santa’s Grotto, where children can meet Santa. Check the official website for what Santa Land offers in 2026.
The grotto has run on a first-come, first-served basis, and queues can close early on busy days when capacity is reached, so plan extra time if visiting Santa is a priority.
Santa Land also has rides and food aimed at younger visitors, making it a good first stop for families with small children.
Food and Drink
The street food stalls cover a bit of everything, from fish and chips to Asian, Latin American and vegetarian dishes. Prices vary from stall to stall.
The Bavarian Village is the place for sausages, schnitzel, German beer and mulled wine, with a lively beer-hall feel.
For something warm, there is hot chocolate, mulled wine and coffee all around the site, and the Fire Pit Bar has live music in the evenings.
Where to stay for Winter Wonderland: Park City Grand Plaza Kensington is on quiet Lexham Gardens, 6 minutes on the Piccadilly line from Hyde Park Corner via Gloucester Road. Families can stay together in our Family Suite for up to four guests. Continental breakfast with halal options is served each morning, and our on-site Cempaka Malaysian restaurant in Kensington is a warm place to eat after an evening at the park. Check-in is from 14:30. Book direct on our website for our best rate.
Rides and the Fairground
There are rides for every age, from gentle carousels and fun houses for younger children to fast spinning rides and coasters for thrill-seekers. Each ride is paid for separately or through a bundle.
Some children’s rides need an adult with them. The fairground games have prizes to win, which is usually where the pocket money goes.
Fast-track passes for the most popular rides have been available in recent seasons and can save time when queues are long at peak times. Check the official tickets guide for the passes on sale in 2026.
Shopping and Markets
The Christmas market stalls sell decorations, gifts, clothing and handmade pieces from local and international sellers. Expect festival prices. For more festive shopping, see our guide to Christmas markets in London.
If you want a souvenir, there is official Winter Wonderland merchandise, and you can buy photos taken by the event photographers.
Tips to Save Money and Time
Off-peak time slots usually offer the best prices. Weekday visits, especially earlier in the season, are typically quieter than weekends, Christmas week and school holidays.
Booking ahead secures your preferred time slot, and some offers and packages are only available online. Check the official tickets guide for any group or student offers running in 2026.
Bundled packages combine popular attractions and can cost less than buying each one separately. Compare the package price with the individual attractions you plan to visit to find the best value.
Arrive early for shorter queues at popular attractions. Midweek visits are usually quieter than weekends, and the first hours after the gates open tend to have the shortest queues.
How to Get to Winter Wonderland Hyde Park from Kensington
From Park City Grand Plaza Kensington, walk 8 minutes to Gloucester Road station. Take the Piccadilly line towards Cockfosters for 3 stops to Hyde Park Corner, which is 6 minutes on the train. Alternatively, Earl’s Court station is a 6-minute walk from the hotel, and the Piccadilly line takes 8 minutes from there to Hyde Park Corner.
On Friday and Saturday nights the Piccadilly line runs all night (the Night Tube), so getting back after a late visit is easy. New to the area? Our guide answers is Kensington a good place to stay in London.
Accessibility and Visitor Facilities
Winter Wonderland has step-free routes, accessible toilets and accessible entrances. Check the accessibility section of the official website before you go, as some rides and attractions have their own access rules.
There is seating around the site if you need a break.
Dress for a cold evening outdoors: warm layers, a waterproof jacket and comfortable waterproof shoes. Rain rarely closes Winter Wonderland, but it can make the queues shorter.
Conclusion
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2026 runs from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 and offers festive experiences for every age and budget. Check the gate times for your date, book entry and attractions ahead, and choose quieter time slots to make the most of your visit. Whether it’s ice skating, a circus show, Santa Land or simply the festive atmosphere, Winter Wonderland is a highlight of a winter visit to London. Make an evening of it with London’s Christmas lights in 2026. For dates, tickets and opening times, see the official Winter Wonderland tickets guide.