Efteling prepares to transform into a winter wonderland for 23rd seasonal edition

•  Winter Efteling takes place 15 November 2021 – 6 February 2022
• A new catering location, ‘Bäckerei Krümel’ opens Saturday 4 December

Efteling - the fairytale theme park in the south of Holland - is getting ready for its annual winter celebration, when guests will enjoy a warming and festive atmosphere when visiting the park during the colder months for Winter Efteling.

From Monday 15 November 2021 to Sunday 6 February 2022, the Dutch theme park resort will transport guests to a winter wonderland, decorated with festive garlands, bonfires, crackling wood burning stoves and thousands of twinkling lights. All the rides and the Efteling inhabitants will also be prepared for winter in their own special way.

Day visitors to Winter Efteling have to book their tickets in advance at efteling.com and are priced from 38 EUR per person (kids aged three and under are free but still need to reserve a ticket). Entrance to Winter Efteling is included for overnight guests staying in one of Efteling’s two hotels or two holiday villages.

Winter entertainment

The Warme Winter Weide winter garden, a new addition in 2020, offers a nostalgic festive atmosphere, where guests can enjoy heart-warming musical entertainment among snow-covered fir trees while staying cosy by the warmth of the bonfires.

The famous Fairytale Forest, at the heart of the park, will be beautifully illuminated in the evenings to add extra enchantment to the much-loved fairytale scenes, such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Pinocchio.

Those who like more action can visit the live park show Raveleijn, which features stunt riders as they attempt to protect a village from evil and will show several times a day. The roller coasters will be open as usual, such as the dive-coaster Baron 1898 which plunges riders 37.5m into a mineshaft, and the water rides De Vliegende Hollander (The Flying Dutchman) and wild rapids ride Piraña will be open until the 9 January 2022, providing the weather conditions allow.

At the indoor rides, the whole family will be whisked away to different lands through mystical scenes and story-telling. This includes Fata Morgana, which offers a journey through the Tales of 1001 Nights; Droomvlucht, where fairies, trolls and unicorns live; and Symbolica: Palace of Fantasy, where guests visit secret passages and royal chambers.

Every evening will close with the spectacular light and water show Aquanura, the largest in Europe, where jets of water dance against a dark evening sky.

NEW Bäckerei Krümel opens 4 December, serving Deugnieten

On Saturday 4 December, Efteling will open its newest eating establishment, Bäckerei Krümel, on the Max & Moritz Square (opposite the Max & Moritz family roller-coaster which opened in 2020). The artisan bakery and its selection of baked goods take inspiration from a traditional German Konditorei. All day long, bakers will be creating delicious flat breads and pizzas from a striking, nostalgic double- deck oven, as well as delicious tray bakes to accompany fresh juices and specialty coffees.

Not to be missed are the bread men, 'Deugnieten' - soft, sweet bread men in the shape of the rascals Max and Moritz, after whom the Square and roller coaster are named.

New Year's Eve party

Once again, this year guests can celebrate the new year at Efteling. On New Year's Eve, between 19.00 and 01.00 hours, there will be a festive evening opening. Separate tickets will be available via efteling.com from early November.

Overnight stays and short breaks

With on-site accommodation options including themed rooms at the Efteling Hotel, luxurious woodland houses at Holiday Village Efteling Bosrijk and cosy log cabins at Holiday Village Efteling Loonsche Land, Efteling makes for a memorable festive short break that will suit the whole family.

A two night stay in a six person Woodland House at Holiday Village Efteling Bosrijk in December is £620, which includes three days at Efteling.

For more information about Winter Efteling, opening hours and ticket prices in this period, visit www.efteling.com.