Today, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland announces Winter Wishes – a new free morning for charities, youth groups, and schools with students from disadvantaged backgrounds to enjoy the UK’s largest festive event.
Created for those who might otherwise find it difficult to attend Winter Wonderland due to physical, sensory, or financial requirements, 5,000 Winter Wishes guests will enjoy free entry, rides, and attractions across the event from 10am to 1pm on Tuesday 21st November.
Welcoming a wide range of charities, guests from Make-A-Wish UK, Centrepoint, The Prince’s Trust, Sense, and many more have already confirmed their participation, as well as guests from the nearby Evelina London Children’s Hospital. Winter Wonderland has also extended its invitation to local schools with a significant percentage of students receiving free school lunches, and London-based youth groups working with vulnerable or underprivileged populations.
To ensure a comfortable and relaxed experience for all guests, Winter Wishes will operate at 15 percent capacity and feature enhanced accessibility measures including reduced lighting and sound levels, low-sensory skating on the open-air Ice Rink, audio guides in the Magical Ice Kingdom, and an increased number of accessible facilities.
The event programming also features a free 1pm performance of Zippos Christmas Circus, which will have an expanded seating area for wheelchair users. A dedicated customer service team will be on hand to assist throughout the event, with trained access champions available to any Winter Wishes guests.
Stephen Flint Wood, Managing Director, Arts & Entertainment, IMG said: “The overall purpose of Winter Wishes is simple: to provide a morning of wonder and joy to those who may otherwise be unable to attend. It’s a celebration of inclusivity, where Winter Wonderland becomes a place where dreams come true. This event is one of the most important additions we have made to Winter Wonderland in recent years, and we look forward to welcoming our first Winter Wishes guests to Hyde Park.”
As Winter Wonderland aims to spread joy even further, this marks the inaugural edition of Winter Wishes, with plans to continue it year after year, providing more people the opportunity to experience the magic of this iconic annual event whilst supporting the work of charities and local organisations.
Alun Mainwaring, Head of Events, Filming and Commercial for The Royal Parks, said: “Winter Wishes is a fantastic addition to the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland event and one which we hope to build on each year. The parks are here for everyone – Winter Wishes is about creating a special experience for those who wouldn’t normally be able to visit Winter Wonderland and allowing everyone to celebrate the festive season together.”
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland will be closed to the public from 10am to 12pm on Tuesday 21st November, with entry, rides, and attraction tickets available to purchase for the 12pm session onwards.
