Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2018

There's plenty to keep little fingers and toes warm at the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland this year. Visitors can glide over the glittering ice rink, explore the ice kingdom (the theme for this year is The Enchanted Forest), get the adrenaline flowing with a Cirque Berserk's thrilling off-the-scale stunt action in the Mega Dome, or hold a warming hot chocolate in the Bavarian Village. New attractions for 2018 include performances of Peter Pan on Ice, which will combine storytelling with world-class ice skating, and the Teletubbies Christmas Show, an interactive live show in the Megadome, designed especially for little ones. We can also expect Ice Sculpting Workshops to bring out your inner artist, and Winter Wonderland's very own Comedy Club, featuring names like Glenn Wool and Terry Alderton, to name but a few. Finally, Backyard Cinema will be presenting The Snowman Experience, an immersive cinematic adventure to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the classic story we all know and love.

Although entrance to the park is free, if your heart is set on certain activities it's best to book (and pay for) them well in advance. Here are the returning, much-loved highlights:

The Ice Rink

The ice rink at Hyde Park is set around a Victorian bandstand and glitters with the light of 100,000 Christmas lights. Sessions run every hour on the hour and last 50 minutes. The park recommends turning up 20 minutes before your booked session.

Circus Show

Zippos Circus shows take place in the Mega Dome, the newest and biggest circus tent the UK. For family friendly day time shows, Zippos Christmas Circus is the event to pick, featuring acrobatic and comic acts and the dancing Snow Bears. Danger junkies will be happier at Cirque Berserk's show featuring sensational feats of acrobatics.

Giant Observation Wheel

60 metres above the ground, the observation wheel soars over the twinkling lights of the park, providing incredible views of London's skyline. Flights take 12-15 minutes, except in the luxury VIP pods which run for 20 minutes.

Christmas Markets

Don't worry about flying to Germany for the Christmas markets this year. The Bavarian Village in Hyde Park will do just as well. As well as presents there's tempting treats (including spiced hot chocolate and mulled wine for parents) to keep you going.