Santa Claus returned to Alton Towers Resort during the Christmas season of 2022, bringing with him sackfuls of festive fun. Guests could visit just for the day or book themselves a stay at the resort’s hotels and then enjoy a selection of rides and attractions in the theme park, including an illuminated light & lantern trail – Lightopia.
Day Visits
There was plenty to be enjoyed by guests visiting the theme park just for the day, including a Christmas Market, a selection of attractions, live entertainment, and of course Lightopia! Different ticket options were available depending on what guests wanted to experience.
Dates
Christmas Market: 25th-27th November 2022, 2nd-4th, 9th-11th, 16th-23rd December 2022
Rides & attractions: 25th-27th November 2022, 2nd-4th, 9th-11th, 16th-23rd 27th December 2022 – 2nd January 2023
Lightopia: 25th-27th November 2022, 2nd-4th, 9th-11th, 16th-23rd 27th December 2022 – 2nd January 2023
Opening Times
Christmas Market: 11am – 8pm
Rides & attractions: 11am – 8pm
Lightopia: 4pm – 8pm
Prices
Car Parking: £6 per vehicle
Christmas Market: Free (access included in all tickets)
Theme Park & Lightopia: £30 or £35 depending on date
Lightopia: £15 or £20 depending on date
Ride Line-Up
CBeebies Land
- Bugbie Go Round
- Postman Pat Parcel Post
- Justin’s House Pie-O-Matic Factory
- In The Night Garden Magical Boat Ride
- Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop
- Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure
- Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Ride
- Hey Duggee’s Big Adventure Badge
- Andy’s Adventure Dinosaur Dig
- JoJo & Gran Gran At Home
- Something Special Sensory Garden
- Big Fun Show Time
- The Furchester Hotel Live
Mutiny Bay
- Marauder’s Mayhem
- Heave Ho!
- Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE
Adventure Land
- Spinball Whizzer
The Towers
- Hex – The Legend of the Towers
- Cuckoo Cars Driving School
The World of David Walliams
- Gangsta Granny: The Ride
- Raj’s Bouncy Bottom Burp
- The Royal Carousel
- Flavio’s Fabulous Fandango
Food & Drink
At the bottom of Towers Street were a variety of stalls serving a range of food and drink options:
- Schwenkgrill – serving smoked sausages
- Farmhouse Burgers – serving beef, venison, and pork burgers
- Churros – served with melted chocolate and lotus Biscoff sauce
- Yorkshire Pudding Wrap – turkey or pork wraps with all the trimmings!
- Crispy Duck Wraps – served with hoisin sauce or Katsu curry
- Greek Gyros – pork, chicken, or halloumi gyros
- Festive Desserts – hot chocolates and marshmallows
- Wunderbar – serving beers, ciders, mulled wine, and hot toffee apple cider!
Some of the theme park’s usual food outlets were also open during the event:
- Corner Coffee (Towers Street)
- Eastern Express (Mutiny Bay)
- Little Explorers Lunchbox (CBeebies Land)
Entertainment
Although not as extensive as seen in previous years, a variety of entertainment could be found throughout the day on Towers Street and around the Christmas Market area:
- Hot Dog Brass Band – The dynamic brass band performs a mixture of pop, funk, and Christmas hits!
- Twisted Balloons – Characterful balloon modeller twisting colourful creations
- Old Time Rags Travelling Show – An exciting interaction performance with vaudeville flair
- Jolly Juggler – A jolly juggling entertainment show that has the wow-factor!
Lightopia Seasonal Wonderland
4pm – 8pm
“An immersive spectacle, this year’s “Christmas Wonder” themed attraction is packed full of giant lanterns, immersive projection light shows and a series of breath-taking scenes including the Gate of Wonder, Candy Land, mystic animals, Land of Diamonds and Fire Dragons, plus a brand-new grand water show finale!”
Towers Christmas Market
11am – 8pm
“Discover unique gifts, tasty treats and festive delights from the fantabulous market stalls as you enjoy seasonal live entertainment from the bandstand stage. Enjoy a whole host of festive drinks and dishes from the food stalls and outdoor bars, before relaxing in a wooden igloo overlooking the iconic historic Towers, drenched in magnificent colour.”
Short Breaks
Guests could extend their festive visit to the Resort by booking a stay at the on-site accommodation, either with a Santa’s Sleepover or Christmas Lodge Break in the run-up to Christmas or a Festive Break if looking to continue the festive cheer after Christmas Day.
Key Information
Dates: 25th-27th November 2022, 2nd-4th, 9th-11th, 16th-23rd December 2022
Prices
Head over to the Alton Towers Resort website for more information
What was Included?
Arrival Day
- An overnight stay in the Resort accommodation
- One day Theme Park entry, with access to a selection of family rides and attractions, Towers Christmas Market, and Lightopia
- A visit to Santa’s Grotto (with a gift for each child)
- A festive evening meal
- Seasonal evening entertainment
Check-out Day
- A buffet breakfast
- One day Waterpark entry
- 9 holes of Extraordinary Golf
Key Information
Dates: 26th November 2022, 3rd, 10th, 16th-23rd December 2022
Prices
Head over to the Alton Towers Resort website for more information
What was Included?
Arrival Day
- An overnight stay in the Enchanted Village Woodland Lodges
- One day Theme Park entry, with access to a selection of family rides and attractions, Towers Christmas Market, and Lightopia
- A festive evening meal
- Seasonal evening entertainment
Check-out Day
- A buffet breakfast
- 9 holes of Extraordinary Golf
Key Information
Dates: 27th December 2022 – 1st January 2023
Prices
Head over to the Alton Towers Resort website for more information
What was Included?
Arrival Day
- An overnight stay in the Resort accommodation
- One day Theme Park entry, with access to a selection of family rides and attractions, Towers Christmas Market, and Lightopia
Check-out Day
- A buffet breakfast
- One day Waterpark entry
- 9 holes of Extraordinary Golf