Hyde Park's famous Winter Wonderland is back this Christmas season, celebrating its 15th edition. It is the UK's most iconic festive event, with something for absolutely everyone. This includes adrenaline junkies, the after-work crowd, out-of-towners and more. For 15 years, the event has been bringing friends and families together to create amazing lifelong memories. From Friday 18th November 2022 - Monday 2nd January 2023, Hyde Park is set to be full of magic and Christmas fun, for everyone to enjoy.
A plethora of new attractions will be coming to the park, alongside returning ones. These include the UK's largest outdoor Ice Rink, proudly presented by Lidl, and an amazing new theme for The Magical Ice Kingdom. We can't forget Bar Ice, where you can enjoy a delicious array of drinks at sub-zero temperatures or the action-packed Zippos Christmas Circus and Cirque Berserk shows. Take a trip on the beautiful Giant Wheel and race your friends down the huge Real Ice Slide in partnership with Crystal Ski Holidays.
We caught up with Suzy Griffiths, Winter Wonderland Event Director for IMG to find out more on what this season's major Christmas event has to offer.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Winter Wonderland. What do you think makes it the iconic and unmissable festive event that its grown to become?
"Winter Wonderland has become a Christmas tradition in itself. Visitors come to us every year with their family, sometimes across generations, to kick start their festive season. I have been working at the event for 15 years and still look forward to it each time".
"What makes us an unmissable festive event is down to how it simply "doesn't feel like Christmas" until you've been to Winter Wonderland".
Can you tell us a bit about what goes on behind the scenes and how long it takes you to organise and prepare the different elements of the Winter Wonderland site?
"We have a dedicated team who do nothing else all year but work on the event, once one ends we start straight away on the next. The team grows exponentially as we get closer to open. We then employ hundreds more temporarily to ensure that the event runs smoothly".
"We scour Europe for the best and most innovative rides and attractions every year to have something new for our visitors to experience each time. I will personally travel to and test rides, attractions, and find new and delicious food to bring to the party".
Are there any major new additions to this year’s event that you think are set to become a hit with attendees?
"I'm really excited about both The Aeronaut, which is the highest Star Flyer ride of its kind and is brand new to Winter Wonderland, as is the topsy-turvy Discovery which is sure to be a big hit".
"For the foodies, we have the exciting new Sleigh-By, a street food area with music, bars, and delicious street food vendors. It's a cosy place where you can warm up, get festive and enjoy a bite to eat".
For those looking to get a head start on their festive plans and lock in the city’s most magical Christmas experience, required admission tickets, pre-bookable rides, games, and attractions are on sale now!
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