As we enter fully into Christmas market season, there are plenty of unusual locations to grab a bratwurst and beer as well as the traditional festive hotspots like Manchester and Birmingham Christmas Markets. And while Alton Towers is known for its wild rides and rollercoasters, come November and December the theme park transforms into a winter wonderland with its own Christmas market and special festive events.
Christmas at Alton Towers Resort launched at the weekend, with its own Christmas market boasting some 50 food and drink and quirky craft stalls and is now open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in December as well as every day Monday to Friday on the week before Christmas. The market is free to enter, but do you have to pay £6 for parking if you're driving to the Staffordshire theme park.
There is also the return of the popular Lightopia light trail - which boasts a series of stunning sculptures that weave you up to the old hall on the site and a spectacular light display over the lake. Tickets for the light trail are priced from £15 per person.
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Alton Towers' CBeebies Land, with a raft of rides themed around the TV station's most popular characters like Hey Duggee and Octonauts, is also open on the Christmas opening dates. There are also selected theme park rides open at Mutiny Bay, The World of David Walliams and also HEX and Spinball Whizzer - with the option to buy a dual theme park and Lightopia ticket from £30 per person.
For those making more of a festive break of it with the family, there's the return of Santa's Sleepover packages at the resort's three hotels, which also includes a visit to one of the two Santa's Grottos at the theme park. The stayover packages also include entrance to the theme park and Lightopia trail, and are priced from
We headed along at the weekend to see how it's all looking, and were immediately impressed by the festive makeover along the iconic Towers Street at the theme park. There are scores of bauble-festooned Christmas trees leading you down to the Christmas Markets which all run next to CBeebies Land and the lake.
The Christmas Market itself offers 50 stalls this year, and we were impressed with the range of gift stalls with lots of quirky independent makers offering everything from gin sets to jewellery and woolly hats and accessories. A really nice feature here is also the central bandstand, where a range of different bands and performers will play at each day of the markets to get into the festive spirit.
At the centre of the market is the "Wunderbar" with a range of pints priced at £5 - £6 and half pints all at £3.50. It has an Alpine theme and upper level where you get great views out across all the festive stalls across the site.
There's a range of hot food options on the market as well - although here's where it gets a little pricey. You're looking at paying £8 for your Bratwurst, cheese sausage or Vegan wurst, while a Yorkshire pudding wrap stall is selling the savoury treat for an eye-watering £12 for pork or turkey, or £13.50 for a mixed meat wrap.
There's also hot churros from £7 for sugar and cinnamon and £8 for chocolate toppings, while there's even a special marshmallow toasting stand to get you into festive mood.
The award-winning illuminated trail, Lightopia, has returned with spectacular new installations this year and interactive experiences with a breathtaking new grand water show finale. With a “Christmas Wonder” theme, the attraction is packed full of giant lanterns, immersive projection light shows and a series of breath-taking scenes including the Gate of Wonder, Candy Land, mystic animals, Land of Diamonds and Fire Dragons.
How much are tickets?
Entrance to the Alton Tower Christmas Market is free, but parking fees apply which is £6 per car/vehicle.
Entry to the Lightopia light trail and Christmas Market is from £15 per person which you can book here.
Entry to the theme park and Lightopia with the Festive Day Out package is from £30 per person which you can book here.
Santa's Sleepover packages are priced from £120 per person which includes overnight accommodation with breakfast and evening meal, a visit to Santa's grotto, entry to the theme park, Christmas Market and Lightopia and 1 day Waterpark access which you can book here.
What dates is it running?
Christmas at Alton Towers Resort runs on selected dates through December until Monday 2 nd January. It is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday up to December 18, then it will be open Monday December 19 to Friday December 23. It will be closed for three days over Christmas, before reopening on Tuesday December 27 through to January 2.
For more information and to book tickets, visit Family Christmas Days Out | Alton Towers Resort
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