London Ice Skating: Winter Wonderland Outdoor Ice Skating

23 November 2012 – 6 January 2013 (except Christmas Day)
10am to 10pm every day

Winter Wonderland Outdoor Ice SkatingWinter Wonderland Outdoor Ice Skating:The UK’s most spectacular winter event returns to Hyde Park for the 6th year running with FREE admission and even more entertainment and new attractions.

Since its launch in 2007, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has attracted a staggering 8 million visitors, firmly becoming the Capital’s most popular and dazzling winter event, offering the best Christmas day out. With beautifully decorated attractions set out across 20 acres of historic parkland, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland provides festive fun over seven whole weeks in the heart of London. Celebrity fans including Prince Harry, Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer & Matthew Vaughn, Chris Martin, Tom Cruise, Liam Gallagher, Louise & Jamie Redknapp, Alexandra Burke, Fearne Cotton and Liz Hurley have all been spotted enjoying Winter Wonderland’s festivities.

This year, PWR Events and The Royal Parks are delighted to announce that the ice rink will be given a new home and will surround the Victorian Band Stand, creating a beautiful centre piece for Winter Wonderland. Stretching over 1,350m2, the outdoor rink will be the biggest of its kind in the UK. It will take 10 days to build using 100,035 litres of water which will be frozen at -12c.

At night the ice rink will be transformed, as suspended above the rink will be 108,000 pea-lights illuminating the ice, creating a magical atmosphere for skaters. With 1000 skates available for hire, PWR Events are expecting 120,000 skaters to take to the new ice rink over the seven week run.

Other favourite attractions making a welcome return include the iconic Giant Observation Wheeland the beautiful Angels Christmas Market. The Market will feature over one hundred wooden chalets offering unusual and handmade gifts, including ceramics, candles, glass-work, jewellery, clothing and beauty products. A number of stalls will also feature traditional Christmas items such as wooden toys, nativity scenes and decorations. Last year Father Christmas handed out over 50,000 presents to well behaved children in Santa Land, and he will make a welcome return this year as an ever popular free attraction.

Winter Wonderland Outdoor Ice SkatingThe UK’s favourite circus, Zippos Circus also returns to Winter Wonderland for a third season, with two completely new shows – a daytime show for all the family, Zippos Christmas Circus starring Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and friends and an evening show for older thrill seekers, ZipposCirque Extreme.

Zippos Christmas Circus follows the magical adventures of children’s favourite Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer as he travels around the world in search of Santa. Along the way he opens up a wonderful Christmas toy box to reveal a cast of colourful circus friends. At under an hour in length this bite size show is perfect for younger audiences.

For thrill seekers everywhere, Cirque Extreme is a jaw dropping, daredevil show which combines some of the most thrilling and dangerous acts the world of circus has to offer. Top of the bill is the Motorbike Globe of Death, a beyond-thrilling spectacle starring three extraordinary Brazilians riding together at up to 60mph in an unbelievably small steel globe. Also on show will be perilous aerial work on the High Wire and Trapeze, death-defying antics on the rapidly-rotating steel Wheel of Death, reckless chainsaw juggling, thrilling fire acts and electrifying break dancing.

This year, there will be even more bars, cafes, restaurants and eateries. Highlights include the new Carousel Bar, which rotates gently whilst you sip your mulled wine and the Bavarian Villagewhere you’ll find Bratwurst, bars and live music, which has become a popular hot spot for the after work crowd. In addition, there will also be the authenticSpiegel Saloonsituated within a stunning ballroom, with its cosy booths, tables and chairs and cabaret acts you can shut out the crisp winter air whist enjoying a fantastic range of warming meals.

There will also be three new and exhilarating thrill rides in the Alpine Adventure area alongside the ever popularPower Tower, Christmas Coaster, Avalanche and Ski Jump Swing as well as more traditional rides and games throughout Winter Wonderland.

With 500,000 Bratwursts on order and 330,000 cups of mulled wine ready to be served, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is set to be a fantastic day out for everyone, so be sure to book your tickets early and make Winter Wonderland part of your Christmas tradition.