Dutch fairytale-based theme park Efteling will transform into a “winter wonderland of twinkling lights, bonfires and snow-covered pine trees” for eleven weeks to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Winter Efteling festival.

Winter Efteling was first introduced in 1999, with Efteling became the first theme park in Holland to remain open during the winter months.

The first Winter Efteling included indoor rides, suitable for the colder months, indoor and heated catering facilities and ambient lighting and winter-themed decorations.

It has evolved in the years since then to include attractions such as an indoor ice rink, ice skating, tubing and cross-country skiing and now all of the park’s attractions are open as usual during Winter Efteling, the water rides aside.

Key attractions this year include the Fairytale Forest area being transformed so that winter stories are central; CARO – a new show at the Efteling Theatre directed by famous Dutch actor and director Stanley Burleson; and the horror-themed area Villa Volta being putting on a 3D projection that tells the Dutch eighteenth-century folk story of Hugo the Buckrider.

The theme park will also put on a New Year’s Eve celebration, with live performances in various squares around the park, Efteling’s attractions remaining open until midnight and fireworks displays thereafter.