Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has announced that it has launched a brand new charity event named Winter Wishes.
Taking place from 10 am to 1 pm on Tuesday, November 21, the event will welcome charities, youth groups and schools that serve people with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Winter Wishes will offer those who find attending Winter Wonderland difficult due to physical, sensory, or financial reasons, access to free rides and attractions.
The event will only operate at 15 per cent capacity, welcoming 5,000 guests. Plus, lighting and sound levels will be reduced, audio guides will be introduced in the Magical Ice Kingdom, the open-air Ice Rink will offer low-sensory skating, and there will be an increased number of accessible facilities.
They will also have a dedicated customer service team and trained access champions available for the special guests.
The event programming will also see a free performance from the Zippos Christmas Circus at 1 pm, which will have an expanded seating area for wheelchair users.
Among the charities that will be participating are Make-A-Wish UK, Centrepoint, The Prince’s Trust, and Sense.
Winter Wonderland also reached out to local schools that have a significant percentage of students receiving free school lunches, as well as London-based youth groups that work with vulnerable or underprivileged people.
Talking about Winter Wishes, the Head of Events for The Royal Parks, Alun Mainwaring, 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.”
This year’s edition of Winter Wonderland will begin on November 17 and conclude on January 1.
Guests will be asked to pre-book their tickets and enter within their allocated timeslot.
While entry will be free on weekdays until 2 pm, it will cost £5 to enter afterwards. On the weekends, the prices will be £5 until 2 pm and £7.50 afterwards.
