Behind the Scenes of Winter Wonderland Norwich 2024/25

Winter Wonderland Norwich is more than just a festive event; it’s a magical experience that takes months of planning and preparation to bring to life. From the moment the venue is confirmed, a dedicated team of organisers, designers, and workers come together to create an unforgettable winter wonderland for visitors of all ages.

First Drop recently visited Norwich to get a behind-the-scenes look at the preparations for this year’s event to see what really happens behind closed doors to bring this magical event to the local area!

Planning and Design

With Winter Wonderland Norwich derigged in January 2024, the team immediately began preparations for this year’s event. As part of the process they evaluate the past event and brainstorm new themes, attractions, and activities to captivate visitors for the upcoming festive season. It’s quite an impressive feat, especially as the event is organised by a small family business!

For the third year running, the highlight of the event is the largest outdoor covered ice rink in the UK, complete with twinkling lights. The design process involves creating detailed blueprints and layouts to ensure everything fits perfectly within the space.

Setting Up the Attractions

With plans in place, the real work begins, and it isn’t an easy task when attractions all arrive at the showground at various times before opening as they have been touring the country at events such as the Goose Fair in Nottingham. During our visit, the site was waiting for other attractions to arrive before their grand opening on the 22nd November 2024, so it will be all hands on deck to ensure that the event is ready. Setting up the attractions is a massive undertaking and a massive jigsaw puzzle to ensure it all fits in its allocated space. The Crazy Mouse, Giant Observation Wheel, Christmas tree maze, along with all the other rides all require careful assembly and testing to ensure they are safe and operational. The ice rink is a feat of engineering, with a gigantic clear span cover providing a weatherproof skating experience.

Decorations, Lighting, and Security

Transforming the Norfolk Showground into a winter wonderland involves an incredible amount of decorations and lighting. Thousands of fairy lights, festive banners, and themed decorations are placed around the site and on rides to create a magical atmosphere. The team works tirelessly to ensure every corner of the event is beautifully illuminated. In addition, CCTV is installed to ensure a safe environment.

Food and Drink

No event is complete without festive food and drink. The family collaborate with vendors to offer a variety of treats, from traditional mulled wine and mince pies to unique offerings like Yorkshire pudding wraps. The Bavarian-style bars and Alpine-style beer cabin provide cozy spots for visitors to relax and enjoy the festive ambiance.

Entertainment and Activities

To keep visitors entertained, a range of live entertainment is planned, including stilt walkers, real elves, and favorite characters. The team also organises activities such as ice skating, funfair rides, and Santa’s Grotto, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Yet to be set up, the Christmas tree maze promises to be bigger than ever, while Santa’s Grotto will be magical. A Christmas market will also return to the entrance with local businesses and vendors providing unique gifts in each hut, along with some exciting colaborations in the pipeline!

Final Touches

As the opening day approaches, the team will add the finishing touches and tidy the site ready for guests. This includes ensuring all safety measures are in place, conducting final inspections, and making any necessary adjustments. The goal is to create a seamless and magical experience for every visitor.

Winter Wonderland Norwich is a labor of love, requiring the dedication and hard work of many individuals behind the scenes. The result is a spectacular event that brings joy and festive cheer to all who attend. So, when you visit this winter, take a moment to appreciate the effort that goes into making it such a magical experience!

Come back soon to get a full review of the event when it goes live!

Tickets are now available from www.winterwonderlandnorwich.co.uk