Bavarian Village: A Winter Wonderland In London

The Bavarian Village in Hyde Park, London, is a part of the Winter Wonderland festival that transforms visitors to a traditional German winter landscape. With its festively decorated wooden huts, the aroma of roasted almonds and mulled wine, live music, and German cuisine, it offers a unique cultural experience during the festive season. The village features the Bavarian Hall, an Oktoberfest-style hall, and hosts various entertainment acts, including traditional German and British live bands. It is a place where people of all ages can enjoy food, drinks, and a variety of attractions, making it a popular destination for families and friends celebrating the holidays.

Festive German atmosphere

The Bavarian Village at Winter Wonderland in London's Hyde Park is a festive German-themed attraction. It offers a traditional German winter experience, with festively lit wooden huts, the scent of roasted almonds and mulled wine, live music, and German food. Visitors can enjoy a range of drinks, including Bavarian Gold draught beer and mulled wine, served in ceramic mugs or steins. There is also a variety of food options, including traditional German dishes like bratwurst sausages, Oktoberfest chicken, and vegan options such as veganwurst and chips.

The Bavarian Hall is an Oktoberfest-style hall with a festive atmosphere. It features live entertainment from German bands such as Frontal, Bavarian Gang, and Joseph, performing a mix of traditional German music and pop songs. The hall has different table packages available, including silver and bronze packages, with each table accommodating up to 10 guests. The packages include meal and drink vouchers that can be redeemed at various outlets within Bavarian Village.

Bavarian Village also offers private hire options for groups, with venues such as Café Bavaria, Almhütte, and the VIP areas, Gracy's VIP and Mary & Me Champagne Bar. These areas provide exclusive benefits such as table service, premium drinks, and intimate or elevated spaces with great views of the stage.

The village is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm, starting on November 21, 2024, and running until January 5, 2025, excluding Christmas Day. Entry to Bavarian Village is free, but an entrance ticket is required for Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, with some sessions offered at no cost and others at a fee. It is easily accessible from nearby London Underground stations such as Marble Arch, Green Park, and Hyde Park Corner.

Traditional German food and drink

Bread

Bread is an important part of German cuisine and is eaten for most meals, especially breakfast and dinner. Germans enjoy a wide variety of bread, including grain, pumpernickel, rye, and white bread. German bread tends to be heavier and heartier than bread from Italy, Spain, or France.

Meat and Sausages

Meat, especially pork, is a staple of German cuisine, with sausages being a particular favourite. Traditional German sausages include the bratwurst, typically made with pork or veal and spices such as ginger, nutmeg, coriander, or caraway. Another famous German sausage is the currywurst, a chopped-up sausage served with chips and spicy ketchup sauce, often eaten on-the-go.

Dumplings and Potatoes

Dumplings, spätzle, and potatoes are also commonly found in German cuisine. Kartoffelpuffer, similar to a Swiss rosti, is a shallow-fried pancake made from grated potatoes, egg, and flour. Bratkartoffeln are more like sautéed or hashed potatoes, where small chunks of potatoes are parboiled and then fried with onion and sometimes bacon.

Cheese

Germany also produces some of the world's finest cheese and dairy products. One famous German cheese dish is Käsespätzle, a dish from southwestern Germany made by layering small spätzle pasta with grated cheese and topping it with fried onion. It is usually served with a salad or applesauce.

Sweets and Cakes

Germans are known for their love of sweets, with chocolate bars, gummy bears, and cakes being very popular. One famous German cake is the Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, or Black Forest cake, a layered chocolate sponge with cherries, cream, and jam filling. Germans also enjoy Christmas cookies such as Lebkuchen and Zimtsterne, which are made with ginger and cinnamon.

Beer

Beer is an essential part of German culture, with the country being the third biggest beer-drinking country in Europe. German beer is renowned for its purity, with a 500-year-old law dictating that only water, hops, barley, and yeast can be used in its production. There are thousands of varieties of German beer, including pale lager, dark lager, and wheat beer.

Wine and Non-Alcoholic Drinks

In addition to beer, Germans also enjoy wine, schnapps, brandy, and German wines such as Riesling. Non-alcoholic beverages include coffee, tea, fruit juices, mineral water, and ACE drinks.

Live music and entertainment

The Bavarian Village in Hyde Park, London, is a festive attraction that brings a traditional German winter landscape to the UK's capital. The village features live music and entertainment, with German acts performing traditional German music and pop songs, and British singers performing Motown, Soul and Chart Hits.

There are several stages across the village, including an outdoor stage near Café Bavaria, and the Rotunda stage, where Bavarian Gang perform rock and pop hits every evening. Inside the Bavarian Hall, guests can enjoy German acts such as Frontal, Bavarian Gang, and Joseph, who perform a mix of traditional German music and pop songs. The hall has a festive atmosphere, with festively lit wooden huts, the scent of roasted almonds and mulled wine in the air, and traditional German food available from Heidi’s Kitchen.

The outdoor stage features British singers such as Mikey Mike and Zac Bauman, performing Motown, Soul and Chart Hits. The music starts in the afternoon, with Joseph performing on weekdays from 2 pm and weekends from 1 pm, and Frontal performing in the evening. The outdoor stage starts at 5 pm on weekdays and 3 pm on weekends.

In addition to the live music, the Bavarian Village also offers other entertainment, such as face painting and arts and crafts for children on Family Fun Day, and photographers and cameramen who capture the festivities for the website and social media.

VIP packages

The Bavarian Village at Winter Wonderland in London's Hyde Park offers a magical experience, transporting visitors to a traditional German winter landscape. With its festively lit wooden huts, the aroma of roasted almonds and mulled wine, and live Oompah bands, it captures the essence of Bavaria.

The Bavarian Village offers several VIP packages to elevate your experience:

Gold VIP Table Package:

• Price: From £1250 (Off-Peak)
• Accommodates: Up to 10 guests
• Inclusions: Exclusive access to Gracy's VIP area, private bar, full table service, private toilets, swift entry through the Green Gate, fast-track entry to Bavarian Hall, VIP wristbands, coat and bag storage, plush seating, elevated view of the stage, 30 premium drinks, and a £400 food credit.
• Experience: Gracy's VIP offers an intimate and exclusive experience with a magnificent view of the stage and crowd. Enjoy the warmth and comfort of the heated hall, indulge in premium drinks and delicious food, and skip the queues with your VIP wristband.

Mary & Me Champagne Bar Package:

• Price: Not specified
• Accommodates: Up to 6 guests
• Inclusions: Exclusive access to Mary & Me Champagne Bar, table service, three glasses of champagne per guest, Bavarian Vesper platter, intimate atmosphere, fast-track entry, special entrance at Green Gate, VIP wristband, coat and bag storage, private toilets, rustic handmade wooden seating, iconic photo spots, and a view of the stage through tinted windows.
• Experience: Mary & Me offers a more secluded and cosy experience within Bavarian Hall. Enjoy the live entertainment, indulge in champagne and finger foods, capture memorable photos, and relax in the heated bar area.

Silver Table Package:

• Price: Not specified
• Accommodates: Up to 10 guests
• Inclusions: Seating towards the front of Bavarian Hall, 10 meal vouchers, 30 drink vouchers, fast-track entry, special entrance at Green Gate, VIP wristband, and a great view of the stage.
• Experience: The Silver package offers a festive atmosphere, with traditional German food and live entertainment. It's a perfect choice for those who want to be closer to the stage and enjoy the lively ambiance of Bavarian Hall.

Bronze Table Package:

• Price: Not specified
• Accommodates: Up to 10 guests
• Inclusions: Seating in the middle or towards the back of Bavarian Hall, 10 meal vouchers, 30 drink vouchers, fast-track entry, special entrance at Green Gate, VIP wristband, and entertainment from live bands.
• Experience: The Bronze package is ideal for those who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, slightly further from the stage. Enjoy traditional German cuisine, drinks, and music, all while taking in the festive surroundings of Bavarian Hall.

All packages include free entrance tickets to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland for each guest.

Family-friendly activities

The Bavarian Village at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, London, offers a range of family-friendly activities and experiences. Here is some information on what you can expect:

Festive Decor and Atmosphere

The Bavarian Village is a magical place that transports visitors to a traditional German winter landscape. With festively lit wooden huts, the scent of roasted almonds and mulled wine in the air, it captures the essence of a Bavarian Christmas.

Live Entertainment

Live music and performances add to the festive cheer. Traditional German music and pop songs fill the air, with acts like Frontal, Bavarian Gang, Joseph, and Die Junx taking the stage. There's also an outdoor stage featuring British singers performing Motown, Soul, and Chart Hits.

Delicious Food and Drinks

The village offers a variety of traditional German food options, including Mr Bratwurst sausages, Oktoberfest chicken, pork dishes, potato dumplings, and sauerkraut. There are also gluten-free and vegan options available, such as the Mr Bratwurst veganwurst.

Arts and Crafts

On the final day of the event, which is a Family Fun Day, there are special activities geared towards children, such as face painting and arts and crafts within Bavarian Hall. This provides an opportunity for the whole family to get creative and make some memorable souvenirs.

Games and Attractions

While some attractions and rides come at an additional cost, there are plenty of free entertainment options as well. You can wander around the village, explore the market stalls, and enjoy the festive atmosphere without spending a fortune.

Accessibility and Convenience

The Bavarian Village is easily accessible for those with wheelchairs, and prams or pushchairs are also permitted. There are baby changing facilities available, as well as toilets located just outside Bavarian Hall and across the village. Additionally, Green Park tube station, which has lift access, is recommended for those travelling with children or with mobility impairments.

Frequently asked questions