Sleigh bells ring are you listening! From urban ice rinks to fairground rides, Santa’s grottos and glittering light shows, this is Christmas in all its ritzy, glitzy glory at some of the best winter wonderlands in the UK.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London
17th November 2023 – 1st January 2024
Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park returns to guarantee visitors a magical experience. With free entry and so much to see and do, it remains at the top of list.
Get your festive fix with a visit to the market’s 200 chalet-style stalls, enchanting fairground, real ice slide and Bar Ice. Take a spin around the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink, feel the adrenaline as you go on the many rollercoaster rides or check out the daring performance of Cirque Beserk. As night falls, unwind with a hot dog and a glühwein or two at the Bavarian Village.
Stay: YHA London Central
Waterside Winter Wonderland, CONKERS, Derbyshire
25th November- 24th December 2023
The whole Christmas clan will be at CONKERS this year. Guests will be met by the Chief Elf and his team on arrival, then it’s through the Enchanted Forest and the Valley of Christmas Lights to Santa’s Woodland Grotto to meet Mr and Mrs Klaus. Taking a trip on the Twinkle Toes Train and an appearance by Rudolph will keep the little ones very entertained along the way. And for the grown-ups, a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie should keep the cold at bay. Booking is essential and there are 13 dates to choose from.
Stay: YHA National Forest
Manchester Christmas Markets
10th November – 21st December 2023
Manchester hosts an amazing winter wonderland which attracts thousands of visitors to the city centre every year. Soak up the atmosphere and visit the stalls which tempt you with jewellery, clothes and gifts. The Christmas market is famous for traditional bratwurst but there are many different food options to try. From hearty hot dogs and burgers to scrumptious waffles and churros for those with a sweet tooth. Be sure to wash it down with a Baileys hot choc or mulled cider.
Stay: YHA Manchester
St Nicholas Fair, York
16th November – 22nd December 2023
Another popular choice is York’s St Nicholas Fair. The waft or warm mulled wine on the air, the magic of the fairy lights, ah we can’t wait. York’s St Nicholas Fair features over 100 stalls spread over six sites in the historic city centre. Wander along Parliament Street to find some wonderful Christmas gifts and stocking fillers or for something slightly livelier, head over to Kings Square and enjoy the enjoyment of the fair. Don’t miss out on sliding down an old fashion Helter Skelter.
Stay: YHA York
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We like to share information about lots of exciting events and third-party listings with you so you can have a great stay. However, please note that even though these are correct at the time of publishing, we recommend that you double-check individual events before you book and travel.
Photo credit: ingusk / David / Andrey Kiselev / SakhanPhotography / Peter Austin / sonyachny / Adobe Stock
