Hyde Park Winter Wonderland costs £1 to get into in 2026, as long as you pick an off-peak time slot. Everyone needs a ticket, and almost everything inside costs extra. Here’s how to do it without spending a fortune.

Winter Wonderland 2026 dates and opening times

  • Dates: Thursday 19 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, every day except Christmas Day.
  • Hours: usually 10am to 10pm. On some weekdays in November and December it opens later, at 11am, 12pm or 2pm, so check your date on the official site before you set off.
  • Where: Hyde Park, near Hyde Park Corner and Marble Arch stations.

Is Winter Wonderland free?

Not for most visitors in 2026. There are three kinds of entry ticket, and booking fees are now included in the price:

  • Off-peak entry costs £1. You still have to book a ticket for a time slot, and everyone needs one, whatever their age.
  • Standard entry costs £5.50, for many mornings and afternoons.
  • Peak entry costs £8.25, mostly later in the day and at weekends. The booking page shows which slots are off-peak, standard and peak.

Entry is free only if you add £25 of rides, attractions, packages or food to your online booking. That’s worth it if you were going to spend that much inside anyway, but not as a way to save money.

Entry only gets you through the gates. The Christmas market chalets, the lights and the atmosphere cost nothing once you’re in, but rides, the ice rink, the shows and the attractions are all paid separately.

How to do Winter Wonderland for less

  1. Go off-peak in November. Every Monday to Thursday in November is off-peak, so entry costs £1 on any of those days.
  2. Set a budget before you go. Pick one or two rides or one show in advance. It’s easy to spend a lot more than you meant to.
  3. Eat before you arrive. Food and drink inside are priced for a big day out. Have a proper meal first and treat yourself to one snack or drink inside.
  4. Make the market the main event. Wandering the chalets, watching the rink and seeing the lights costs nothing once you’re in.
  5. Skate somewhere cheaper. If skating is the point, compare London’s other ice rinks first.
  6. Visit Santa for free. Santa’s Grotto inside Winter Wonderland is free, first come, first served, from 10am to 6pm. See our cheap and free Santa’s grottos guide for other options.

Free Christmas markets if you skip it

If Winter Wonderland feels like too much, London has several Christmas markets that cost nothing to wander, including Southbank Centre Winter Market by the river and Kingston Christmas Market. See every one on our London Christmas markets map, with dates, hours and what entry costs.

Good to know

  • Christmas Day: Winter Wonderland is closed on 25 December.
  • Getting there: Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly line) and Marble Arch (Central line) are the closest stations.
  • Book before you travel: you need an entry ticket for a time slot, and booking ahead is cheaper than paying on the day.