Ad disclosure: we were invited to Winter Funland for the purpose of this review.
Friday evening saw Lydia and myself, along with her two besties and a very kind dad-of-bestie playing the role of dad-taxi, heading to the NEC for the VIP Night at this year’s Winter Funland. Running from this weekend until 3rd January, Winter Funland is an all-in-one indoor festive event packed with a funfair, an ice skating rink, circus shows and more.
We’ve been to Winter Funland a few times now, and this year felt better than ever. There were loads of rides and attractions for fun seekers of all ages: several funhouses to wander through, a pirate ship, ferris wheel, dodgems, the traditional carousel, and more. And of course, it isn’t a funfair without the waltzers – we made a beeline for them the moment we walked in!
The ride selection felt really well balanced this year. There were lots of gentle options for smaller children, plus enough bigger thrill rides to keep the three twelve/thirteen-year-olds we had with us happy. There also seemed to be fewer pay-to-play “hook-a-duck” style stalls and more smaller rides instead, which was definitely an improvement on last year.
One of the biggest perks is that you can go on the rides as many times as you like. A few times, the girls hopped straight back into the queue the second they stepped off. Having unlimited rides included in the ticket price is so much nicer than funfairs where you end up spending a small fortune just to go on more than one or two attractions.
The ice skating rink (and skate hire) is also included, and the girls squeezed in a fun 20-minute session on the real ice. Sophie and Josie were pretty good at gliding across the ice, but poor Lydia fell over every few minutes. She gave it a solid go though, and all three had a great time. There are plenty of tables and benches around the rink too, making it easy for spectators to sit and watch.
Each session includes two circus performances, which gives you a good chance of catching the amazing stunts and magic tricks. This year’s circus had a different feel, with the addition of a magician who the crowd really seemed to enjoy. The aerialist was absolutely incredible – I’ve seen silks and hoops before, but never an aerial bicycle! The motorbike stunt show also runs twice per session, though we didn’t get round to that as the girls were determined to squeeze in as many rides as possible.
Alongside the funfair rides, there’s a huge bouncy castle that the girls loved, plus a tucked-away corner full of bouncy castles for children of all ages and a wavy slide. I also spotted an elf show happening on a little stage between the dodgems and the big bouncy castle – perfect for younger children who want a breather from the excitement. There really is so much to see and do at Winter Funland this year.
Tickets cost £35.00 per person or £137.50 for a family ticket (plus booking and parking fees), and each session lasts four hours. You’re encouraged to arrive around half an hour early to make your way from the car park and through the ticket lines – but don’t worry, their elves keep the crowd entertained while you wait, and there are plenty of photo opportunities too.
It might seem like a steep price at first, but when you break it down into a cost-per-hour and compare it to paying separately for a ‘normal’ funfair, an ice skating session, and a circus ticket, it works out great value. You don’t have to worry about budgeting for individual rides – the only limit is time. And even better, it’s all indoors, so no standing around in the cold and wet!
The only things not included in the ticket price are food and drink stalls, souvenirs, face painting and the usual pay-to-play games. Everything else – the rides, ice rink, circus, motorcycle stunt show, and more – is included. There’s a good range of food and drink available (and areas with tables to sit and eat), though it is pricey as you’d expect at an event like this. I paid £10 for a large popcorn topped with Smarties, which apparently was the perfect amount to keep three hungry Year 8s happy during the circus!
Overall, Winter Funland 2025 felt like the strongest year yet. The balance of rides, the variety of entertainment, and the fact that everything is included in the ticket price makes it a brilliant festive day out. The girls had an amazing time, we definitely got our money’s worth, and the indoor setting took away all the usual winter-weather worries. If you’re looking for something big, fun, and Christmassy to do with the family this season, Winter Funland is well worth a visit.
Lydia says: I think that it was INCREDIBLE! Winter Funland, as the name suggests, is extremely fun, especially with my friends! It felt like there were quite a few more rides this year as well, and some of the circus acts were extraordinary! My favourite rides were the Waltzers, Midnight Express and the Scream! I also loved all of the festive decorations and people walking around, dressed as elves and other Christmassy things (I loved the walking Christmas tree!). Overall, it was an amazing, fun-packed experience with lots of fun sights and attractions. I’m really happy I got to bring Sophie and Josie this year too!
