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!
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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!”

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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