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Who was the person who invented Christmas?

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We do not mean the religious festival of Christmas but the Christmas of tinsel, carol singing, mulled wine, and the general merriment, we associate with the festival these days.

Some people give the credit to Prince Albert, the husband of the rarely amused Queen Victoria.

It was Albert, we are told, who introduced the Christmas tree to the United Kingdom. Others will give the credit to Charles Dickens, with his descriptions of large rosy-cheeked gentlemen, bursting from their waistcoats, and happy (usually well off) families exchanging gifts in front of a blazing log fire, and it always snowed on Christmas day.

Whichever of these two gentlemen take credit for inventing Christmas, as we know it today; it is unlikely they could have envisaged the spectacle of the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

The Hyde Park Winter Wonderland takes place every year. This year it runs from the 16th of November 2016 until the 2nd of January 2017.

During these six weeks, people will flock from miles around to enjoy the numerous rides, attractions, and entertainments .[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Skate your way to winter fun[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A winter’s scene would not be complete without the picture of people gliding elegantly on the ice.

The Hyde Park Winer Festival boasts the largest open-air ice rink in the United Kingdom. It is ideal for a family outing or a romantic date for a couple to float hand in hand across the ice.

It does not matter if you are an expert skater or a beginner, you will be welcome on the ice.Even falling over can be fun at the Winter Festival. Get your thrills and spills.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Walk in a Winter Wonderland[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If skating is not for you, then why not take a walk through a winter wonderland. You will encounter icebergs; a ship trapped in the arctic ice.Take a fishing trip with the Inuit people and explore a lost island, looking for the Palace of Polar Bears.

This enchanted Kingdom is created using over 500 tonnes of snow and ice and is filled with astounding sculptures carved from ice and snow. You can have your thrills and your chills.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Do you like your drinks on ice?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Those of you who like your drinks served cold will be able to enjoy them in one the two bars carved out of ice and all the chairs and tables glisten with ice. Enjoy a frozen cocktail in an ice glass and select from a range of other delicious alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from the festive cocktail menu.

These bars are ideal places to enjoy frozen drinks with a group of friends or as a romantic venue for star-crossed lovers.

As this environment is sub-zero, you will be supplied with a warm winter cloak and gloves to keep you cosy.

Those of you on a romantic rendezvous can sing, “We’ve got our gloves to keep us warm.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Spectacular Skating[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It does not get better than this.

The imperial Ice Stars will be performing their dazzling ice spectacular, The Nut Cracker on Ice. This sixty minutes of pure magic on ice will bring to life many enchanting characters including the Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

A skating Sugar Plum Fairy, what more can you ask.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Come and see Santa.

Christmas would not be Christmas without a visit to Santa’s home and grotto.

This is indeed a magical place for children to visit. They can enjoy a visit to Santa’s toy factory where he and his elves make all the toys for Christmas day. There are plenty of places get snacks and rides for the little ones.

In addition, there may be gifts for those who have been good throughout the year.

If you are lucky, your children may get one as well.

There is much more to enjoy

We have only just touched on a number of attractions and entertainments the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has to offer.

There are plenty of restaurants and bars where you can enjoy live music, food and drink from different parts of the world.

You can enjoy shopping or browsing in the various Christmas markets where you will be spoilt for choice with the wide range of jewellery, handmade craft items, and other treats for your friends and family.

You could even buy a gift for yourself, mulled wine perhaps. (You can never have too much mulled wine.)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Don’t leave it too late

Although entry to the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is free, it is advisable you book tickets for any shows and amusements to avoid being disappointed.

We have added the link to the Wonderland below.

So what would Prince Albert and Charles Dickens make of the Winter Wonderland?

Prince Albert would be impressed by the organisation it takes to put on such a show, remember he organised the Great Exhibition of 1855.The one held in the Crystal Palace.

Charles Dickens enjoyed life to the full. He would have thrown himself into it whole-heartedly and celebrated with a large glass of mulled wine.

So why don’t you do the same and visit the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, (but don’t drink too much mulled wine.)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]