Efteling celebrates its jubilee with an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ tea party

Efteling theme park in the Netherlands has announced an interactive “Alice in Wonderland” pop-up tea party will help celebrate the park’s 70th anniversary.

The temporary experience opens on March 28, 2022 and runs each day through October 3, inviting visitors to play a role in a “mad tea party” hosted by the Mad Hatter and the March Hare. The party will be located on the Speelweide playing field, and it will take place all day long.

“Efteling is celebrating its seventieth anniversary in turbulent times, so the importance of being together and escaping reality once in a while is more important than ever,” said Fons Jurgens, Efteling’s CEO. “We have consciously chosen to create a temporary but innovative fairytale that is about celebration.”

Inspired by British novelist Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” story book for children, the party begins as visitors descend into a rabbit hole, where they’ll encounter the March Hare’s vegetable garden filled with family-friendly activities and cheerful music.

A table laid with teacups, cakes, and party hats also features seven chairs reserved for Efteling’s residents, who join with guests in a “jolly good time,” telling rhymes, singing, and dancing.

In addition, the vegetable garden will include a souvenir stand, a welcome section, snacks, and drinks. Scenes recalling the famous children’s book make magical backdrops for photos.

The fairytale-inspired jubilee year will see the “world of wonders” park hung with garland, while party music plays throughout each land. The big celebration will begin at 4 p.m. each day.

“Here, our visitors will be the guests of honor and play an active part in the fairytale with the help of the Mad Hatter and March Hare,” Jurgens added. “Efteling will always remain true to the fairytales, but is also looking for different and unique ways to innovate throughout the years, ensuring [the park will] celebrate another seventy years.”