This week family festive extravaganza Silcock’s Winter Wonderland opened for the 2021/22 Christmas season at EventCity in Manchester, and we were lucky enough to be invited along as guests to review...
Silcock's Winter Wonderland is organised by Kingpin Events, who are back in charge after a 3 year break, and EventCity is an ideal location, right beside the M60, 3,000 free car parking spaces outside, and with tram and bus links nearby...
The building itself is massive, with high ceilings and plenty of space for over 50 rides and attractions under 1 roof. EventCity is right beside the Trafford Centre, so it's also handy if other people in your party would also like to go shopping...
When we arrived for the press night, we were treated to entertainment from some talented young local performers (and an elf with some 'jokes' which appeared to have escaped from the 1970's), It is very exciting waiting to go in, and you aren't disappointed when you pass through the archway and find yourself covered in 'snow'... and in a world of glitter, lights and sound.
Inside there are over 50 family rides and attractions, including dodgems, roller coasters, waltzers, a runaway train, inflatables, baby chill out zone, a beach, and even a theatre - with regular performances of the specially created mini pantomime, The Wizard Of Oz.
My boys are both over 5ft tall and getting older now, so they went off to explore the less gentle rides. Hardly any queues and tons of choice meant they really did have the best time - and it's so much safer than letting younger teens and tweens loose outdoors in a regular funfair.
They must have been on 20 rides each including all of the fun houses, roller coasters, Gravity ride etc. so I really can't fault the value for money.
The entertainment programme also includes a really impressive main stage, where you can see Cartoonito TV stars Daisy & Ollie, The Ice Princesses Show, the Christmas Meltdown disco, and the return of the spectacular Christmas Circus. There is plenty of seating, and it's well spaced out, plus room for small people to get a better view at the front.
No Christmas experience would be complete without Father Christmas, and he is there to meet with children - and his friends the Elves and Fairies also pop up around Winter Wonderland to say hello and check guests are having a good time.
Ticket admission is for four hours and almost everything is included in the price. The only things you can choose to pay for on top are the water spray games, and things you could physically take home - games stalls with prizes, food & drink, glitter tattoos, a gift from Santa's Toy Workshop, or a photo with the man himself. Everything else is included in the ticket price.
The games stalls are pretty familiar sideshow stalls, with prizes if you know the tactics to win! They cost around £3 a turn (yowch), and they're not really my thing, so I'm glad they didn't attract my children either.
The foods on offer were a really good selection, from German sausages, waffles and crepes, to familiar fries and hot dogs. The prices are not cheap, but the quality was pretty good and portions seemed very fair. £8.50 for cheesy chips and a bottle of Fanta was a bit yowch, but my son loved it. £7 for a really hearty Greek Gyros (flatbread with kebab meat and tons of salad) felt a better deal. £14 for an individual pizza was a bit beyond my comfort zone.
There is also an 'authentic' German Bar with alcoholic beverages for non-drivers. The bar and most of the food is in the Central Park area, where there is tons of seating. You are allowed to take in your own drinks and snacks, anyone can have a sit down, and there are nearly always plenty of spare seats too.
Silcock’s have measures in place in case COVID gets in the way of fun. If the event is cancelled due to COVID then everyone gets their money back, and if you have to isolate then you'll be able to re-book at no extra charge.
To help protect visitors, Winter Wonderland will be using the COVID Pass system for entry for anyone aged 18 or over - to prove double vaccination or negative lateral flow rapid test within 48 hours. There are hand sanitiser stations, regular cleaning, lower entry numbers to prevent crowding, and any Government or local restrictions in place at the time of your visit will be adhered to. All guests are obviously also free to wear face coverings whatever the current guidelines.
This wasn't our first visit to Winter Wonderland Manchester, we have visited to review before, and you can see those posts here - Our 2016 Winter Wonderland review, our 2017 Winter Wonderland review.
For a different view of the event, take a look at GoingOnAnAdventure or SimsLife
Silcock’s Winter Wonderland Manchester takes place at EventCity in Manchester from Saturday 4th December 2021 to Sunday 2nd January 2022. All rides and attractions are included in the ticket price (excluding games and food stalls) and each session lasts for 4 hours.
Book online www.winterwonderlandmanchester.com or call 0344 815 7131 for individual and group bookings.
Tickets - Peak/Off Peak - booking fees extra:
Adult age 16+ - £35.00 / £29.50
Child 3-16 - £35.00 / £29.50
OAP: £27.50 / £22.00
Child under 3: Free (Ticket required)
Family of 4 discount £10.
Carers tickets go free with full paying adults.
Groups: 1 in 10 goes free (no booking fee)
School and nursery bookings: From 7-10 December and 13-17 December, tickets £15 each including booking fee.
Payment plans are available this year.
Reduced £22.00 (plus booking fee) tickets are available on certain dates for NHS and Armed Forces, and Blue Light Card Holders.
Silcock’s Winter Wonderland Manchester is also available for private hire.
See the website for more information and details about all tickets and bookings - https://www.winterwonderlandmanchester.com/
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