Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2026: dates, tickets and how to visit

October 8, 2026

The short answer: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2026 is open every day from Thursday, November 19, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027, except Christmas Day. Most days it opens at 10am and closes at 10pm. You need to book a timed entry ticket online even for the cheapest slots, and rides, the ice rink and shows cost extra. If you want it calmer and cheaper, go on a Monday to Thursday in November; if you want the full Christmas buzz, go in the evening in December and book early.

What is Hyde Park Winter Wonderland?

It's London's big seasonal winter festival, set up every year in Hyde Park. Think Christmas market, funfair, ice rink and shows in one place: rides and roller coasters, a 70 meter Giant Wheel, food and drink stalls, bars and live entertainment, spread across themed zones.

It is busy, bright and loud. If you love fairground rides, mulled wine and a crowd, it's a great night out with friends. If you want a quiet, traditional Christmas market, this isn't it; pair a short visit with one of London's smaller markets instead.

When is Winter Wonderland 2026?

Opens: Thursday, November 19, 2026
Closes: Sunday, January 3, 2027
Closed: Christmas Day (December 25)
Hours: most days 10am to 10pm; some dates open later in the day, so check your date on the official site before you book

Once you're in, you can stay as long as you like, until closing.

How do Winter Wonderland tickets work?

Entry and attractions are separate.

1. Book an entry ticket for a one hour time slot. Every visitor needs one, booked online in advance. There are three entry prices, depending on demand. As listed on the official tickets guide on October 6, 2026:

Off-Peak: £1.00
Standard: £5.50
Peak: £8.25

Booking fees are included in those prices for 2026. The organizers say there are half a million £1 off-peak tickets for Monday to Thursday slots throughout November. Prices can change, so confirm at checkout.

2. Pay for what you do inside. Rides, attractions, shows and the ice rink are paid separately, either one by one or in packages.

3. Get entry free with a pre-booked spend. If you spend £25 in one online transaction on rides, attractions, packages, passes or food and drink meal deals when you pre-book, your entry is free.

Our take: if you're going with friends and already know you'll skate or see a show, book it all together online and let the entry come free.

What should I do at Winter Wonderland?

It depends on who's going.

If you love ice skating: the rink in Skater's Corner is the UK's largest open air ice rink, according to the organizers. Book a session ahead on busy nights.
If you love a view: the Giant Wheel in Thrillville is 70 meters tall. Go after dark, when the whole park is lit up below you.
If you love a spectacle: the Magical Ice Kingdom in the Arctic Circle zone is a walk-through of ice sculptures; the 2026 theme is Neverland. Show Town has the Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus, new for 2026.
If you love a drink with friends: Bar Ice, a bar made of ice in the Arctic Circle, is for ages 12 and up. Food and drink stalls are spread across the site, with the Bavarian Village and Market Square zones by the west gate.
If you love rides: Thrillville has the roller coasters and thrill rides.

When is the best time to go?

For the lowest price and smallest crowds: a Monday to Thursday in November, early in the day.
For the lights: after dark, any day. In late November and December it's dark by late afternoon.
For the full festive mood: December evenings and weekends. Book early; peak slots sell out.

Practical guide

Dates and location

Dates: November 19, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed December 25)
Where: Hyde Park, central London
Tickets: timed entry booked online at hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Which gate should I use?

Winter Wonderland has four entrances. Pick the one closest to where you're coming from and the zone you want first:

Gate	Closest stations	Nearest zones
Red Gate (east)	Bond Street, Marble Arch	Santa Land, Thrillville
Blue Gate (south)	Hyde Park Corner, Green Park, Victoria	Skater's Corner, Show Town
Green Gate (west)	Knightsbridge, High Street Kensington	Bavarian Village, Market Square
Gold Gate (north)	Marble Arch, Paddington	Arctic Circle, Luminarie Lane

Where to stay near Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Knightsbridge (south and west gates). For travelers who want to pair Winter Wonderland with Harrods, the museums of South Kensington and a polished base.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, 66 Knightsbridge. Backs onto Hyde Park, a short walk to the Blue and Green Gates.

Mayfair and Park Lane (east and south gates). For a classic London stay a few minutes from the Red and Blue Gates, and walking distance to the West End's Christmas lights.

The Dorchester, 53 Park Lane. A landmark luxury hotel on the east side of the park.

Paddington and Bayswater (north gate). Usually better value, and handy if you're arriving from Heathrow.

The Pilgrm, 25 London Street, Paddington. A small boutique hotel in Victorian townhouses, moments from Paddington station and a walk to the Gold Gate.

Getting around

From Heathrow: the Elizabeth line and the Heathrow Express both run to Paddington, the closest major station to the north gate.
On the Tube: use the stations listed by gate above. Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner and Knightsbridge are the closest.
By bike: there are Santander Cycle docking stations around the park and bike racks near the Serpentine Bar and Kitchen.
By car: the organizers advise against it. If you must drive, Q-Park has car parks at Park Lane and Marble Arch.

FAQ

When does Winter Wonderland 2026 open? Thursday, November 19, 2026. It runs until Sunday, January 3, 2027, closed on Christmas Day.

Is Hyde Park Winter Wonderland free? Not quite. You need a timed entry ticket, with off-peak slots listed at £1 on October 6, 2026. Entry becomes free if you pre-book £25 of rides, attractions or meal deals in one transaction. Rides and attractions cost extra.

Can I just turn up without a ticket? Plan not to. Entry is by pre-booked time slot, and busy dates sell out.

How long should I spend at Winter Wonderland? Two to four hours is enough for most groups: a ride or two, the Giant Wheel, food and a drink. You can stay until closing once you're in.

What's the nearest Tube station? It depends on the gate: Marble Arch for the north and east gates, Hyde Park Corner for the south gate, Knightsbridge for the west gate.