Before we know it, we’re already at the ‘most wonderful time of the year’. Christmas trees are up, tinsel is dangling and the turkey is already being prepared. We’re all getting stuck in with the festive spirit here at the Park. Thankfully, nature is doing most of the work for us as we are regularly reminded of our beautiful Park throughout the seasons from our fans on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

The Park is open all year round and is always free entry. Not only can you come and follow the footsteps of many athletes who took part in the greatest sporting event of 2012, you can bring your friends, family, partner or even your own inquisitive mind for an adventurous day out. 

The Park boasts a whopping 560 acres of parklands which is waiting to be explored. We have four trails ready to give you the chance to take in the many sights and sounds of the Park. If you’re looking for the little-known stories and information on the Park’s flowers, plants and wildlife, we’d recommend the Discover the Park trail, while the sporty ones amongst us who want to relive the 2012 Games, can measure themselves up against the world’s best athletes in our London 2012 trail. Young detectives can unlock the Park’s secret missions in our interactive Children’s trail and budding artists will enjoy our Art Trail, inspired by local history, landscape and ground-breaking events.

The ArcelorMittal Orbit is open for action every day, apart from Christmas day, throughout the winter season. You are invited to be lifted 114.5 metres off the ground for stunning skyline views of London glistening in the winter sun. You even have the chance to take an adrenaline-fuelled tunnel slide back down to Earth in the attraction that Time Out London deemed the number 1 ‘thing to do’ in 2016. The Slide at ArcelorMittal Orbit takes riders on an exhilarating ride through 12 twists, loops and curves in the 178 meter long tunnel, which makes it both the highest and longest tunnel slide in the world! If you have family or friends visiting over the winter period, why not bring them to this unique and exclusive attraction, but remember that tickets are selling fast so make sure you book to avoid disappointment.

Why not factor in a trip to one of our Park’s cafés to re-fuel or relax during your visit. Warm up in the environmentally-friendly Timber Lodge Café, powered by its own green energy, or indulge in a coffee and cake in The Podium Bar & Kitchen. On our trails, you may also stumble across View Tube, a sustainable café built using recycled shipping containers where you can get a stunning panoramic view of the Park. On the outskirts of the Park, you will also find the new and beautiful retail destination, Canalside at Here East. Located on the banks of the Lee Canal, Canalside offers a hub of independent cafés, bars and restaurants, making this the perfect spot for a drink or a bite to eat.

Don’t wait for the New Year to kick-start your fitness resolutions, as our legendary venues from the London 2012 Olympic Games continue to delight sporting enthusiasts throughout December. Make a splash at London Aquatics Centre and swim in the pool of champions, trot along to Lee Valley VeloPark and test out your Kenny-legs or pick up a racquet and have a hit at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. Family fun isn’t hard to come by here on the Park, especially with our Extreme AquaSplash sessions. Run, slide, duck and jump off the large inflatable obstacle course and try not to fall off! Places are filling up fast so make sure you book to give your family an unforgettable day out.

December is also a great month for live sporting events, as London’s only professional basketball team have two big matches coming up. The London Lions face Newcastle Eagles in the British Basketball League semi-final on Sunday 11 December at Copper Box Arena, with another fixture against DBL Sheffield Sharks on Friday 30 December, also in the box that rocks! West Ham United takes to the field at London Stadium on Wednesday 14 December against Burnley, Saturday 17 December against Hull City and a New Year battle against Manchester United. So if you’re eager to relive the electric atmosphere of die-hard sports fans once again in the hub of world-class sporting spaces, come and pay us a visit.

If you’re still struggling for Christmas gift inspiration, then you’ll be happy to hear that we have plenty of gift ideas for your loved ones. Our variety of gift vouchers include access to The Slide and the ArcelorMittal Orbit, various cycling and sporting sessions in our iconic leisure facilities and many other events over the following year. This includes live music concerts, in the form of Robbie Williams, Depeche Mode or Guns N’ Roses at London Stadium in summer 2017. Sections of the authentic athletics track used in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are also on sale, presented in a gift box, an exclusive and ideal gift for sport-enthusiasts this Christmas. Additionally, the East Village Christmas Market has returned once again, featuring numerous independent London artisans invited to showcase and sell their unique gifts – open Saturday 10 December from 11am – 6pm and Sunday 11 December from 11am – 4pm.

Don’t forget to share your experiences with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We have thoroughly enjoyed browsing through the numerous pictures posted onto social media and look forward to seeing many more. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a snowy day!

#QEOP #QueenElizabethOlympicPark