Winter Wonderland is back in Cardiff bringing a lot of Christmas cheer and excitement. Like previous years Winter Wonderland is spread across two sites in Cardiff and is better than ever.
You can find the big wheel, other rides, food and drink and the ice bar at City Hall Lawns and the ice rink and ice walk, plus more foodie options and light displays at Cardiff Castle. It is easy and quick to walk between the two locations meaning you never have to miss out.
Cardiff Winter Wonderland opened on Thursday, November 16, you can read all about the opening night here, and is running until Tuesday, January 2. Entry is free of charge to both sites however you do need to pay for the activities once there.
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We've created this handy guide so you have everything you need to know about Cardiff's Winter Wonderland. You can keep up to date with the latest What's On news by signing up to the newsletter here.
What is there to do at Cardiff's Winter Wonderland?
Ice rink and ice walk
One of the most popular attractions at Cardiff Winter Wonderland is the ice rink and ice walk. You can find the ice skating, where the ice rink leads to the ice walk, within the ground of Cardiff Castle which provides the perfect festive backdrop for this fun winter activity.
Rides
There are lots of great rides over at City Hall Lawns, including a few new ones for 2023. The full list is Giant Wheel, Snow Storm (a new pirate ship ride), Ice Breaker, Dodgems, Fun House, Santa's Express Train, Drop & Twist, Reindeer Ride, and Toy Ride.
Games
If you don't fancy hopping on a ride there are plenty of classic funfair games to enjoy. You can try throwing a hoop over a bottle, darts, knocking out the Grinch's teeth, shooting a basketball hoop, and more.
Food and drink
You will be spoilt for choice of food and drink options at Cardiff Winter Wonderland. Drink wise you can head to the bar at City Hall Lawns where you can enjoy winter treats like mulled wine and mulled apple cider or enter the freezing cold ice bar. The ice bar, which you have to book and pay for separately, has an amazing Welsh theme this year with Gareth Bale, the Millennium Centre, and daffodils immortalised in ice.
Food wise there is also a lot of options from German sausages to burgers to Greek to chicken. Over at Cardiff Castle, you can toast marshmallows over a fire and there is also a sweet stall. The Great British Fudge Company has a mouth-watering stall over at City Hall Lawns, which includes some outrageous fudge choices and a full pick-and-mix selection.
New for 2023 is also an undercover seating area at the City Hall Lawns, which the food stalls surround. This means no matter what the weather is doing, you are sure to have fun.
Where is Cardiff's Winter Wonderland and what are the opening times?
Cardiff's Winter Wonderland is set across two different locations, City Hall Lawns and Cardiff Castle. You will find the rides, ice bar, and food and drink at City Hall and the ice skating, light displays, and food and drink at Cardiff Castle. It is running until Tuesday, January 2.
From Thursday, November 16 until Friday, December 3 Winter Wonderland will be open from 12pm to 10pm from Monday to Thursday and open from 11am to 10pm from Friday to Sunday. Winter Wonderland will then be open Monday to Sunday from 11am to 10pm from Saturday, December 4 to Tuesday, January 2.
The exceptions to these times are Thursday, November 16 when Winter Wonderland will open at 5pm, Christmas Eve when Winter Wonderland will close at 8pm, New Year's Eve when Winter Wonderland will be open until 12.30am and New Year's Day when Winter Wonderland will close at 8pm in City Lawn Gardens. Winter Wonderland will be closed all day on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
How much does everything cost at Cardiff's Winter Wonderland?
Rides and games
The majority of rides and games are paid for by buying tokens. Each token costs £1 and the prices of rides range from two to six tokens.
The most expensive ride is the Big Wheel, which costs six tokens, followed by Snow Storm and Ice Breaker which are both four tokens. Dodgems is four tokens per car and the Fun House and Santa's Express Train are three tokens each. Drop & Twist, Reindeer Ride, and Toy Ride are two tokens each and the funfair games range from two to seven tokens.
Ice skating and Ice Bar
Both the ice skating and Ice Bar you can pre-book. Prices start at £13.60 for adults and £11.50 for children for the ice skating. It is £15 per person for the ice bar and you can book both the ice skating and ice bar here.
Food and drink
With so many food options available here are the prices of some of the most popular stalls. The bar is selling mulled wine and mulled apple cider for £4.50. Spirits with a mixer are £5.50 and wine is £4 for 125ml and £6 for 175ml. Prosecco is £7 and Aperol Spritz is £6. Burgers start at £6.50, German sausages start at £6.50, chips start at £4 and extras include mac and cheese for £5.50 and pigs in blankets with cranberry sauce for £5.50.
