WINTER Wonderland has returned to Chester Racecourse for another season of Christmas fun.
This year, there is something exciting for all of the family to enjoy with the top attractions being the Ice Rink, Matalan’s Grotto and the Vodka Ice Bar.
There is also reindeer, fairground rides and Christmas market stalls, alongside many other seasonal activities to help get Chester into the Christmas spirit.
Compared to last year, Winter Wonderland has opened a week earlier on Friday November 14, just a week after the racecourse held an event for bonfire night. Opening its doors last week helped to avoid clashing with the Christmas light switch on and the opening of the Christmas market in the city centre.
However, both the public and staff at Winter Wonderland have criticised this early opening date, suggesting that people aren’t ready for Christmas this early and it should open later to make it a more exclusive event.
Wayne Creasey, a chef at Four Seasons Pizza who has a stall in the food court of Winter Wonderland described how business has been slow. He described the racecourse as “dead” at this time of year because people aren’t in the mood for Christmas just two weeks after bonfire night.
Mags Fraser, supervisor of the Winter Wonderland helpers, managed to see some positives of the eerily quiet venue. She said, “It’s been slow to start with but it allows us time to train our staff on the job”.
In order to enter Winter Wonderland, visitors must purchase a season which then allows you to visit as many times as you like until the park closes on Christmas Eve.
Once in the park, there are many free attractions for you to enjoy as well as some extra pay per visit attractions such as fairground rides, The Black Light Puppet Theatre and the Ice Rink.
Winter Wonderland is now open weekly from Thursday to Sunday until Christmas.
Eve. For opening times and more information, please click here.
Chester Record 