Put on your world-building hat and submit your imaginative concepts for the origin story and mythology behind London's epic Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Christmas Festival.

With over 150 twinkling market chalets, 70 funfair rides, 80 food and drink stalls, the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink, a Giant Wheel, an ice sculpture exhibition and 5 indoor shows, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is THE Christmas festival of Europe, and there's no other carnival or fair like it anywhere in the world. It's a totally immersive experience too, and people really feel like they're walking around a magical ‘Winter Wonderland.' Now the organizers want to take that experience even further, and they're asking you to develop a mythology for the festival that could unify everything, and give them an incredible narrative to share with visitors and incorporate into all parts of the festival.

So, where does the world of Hyde Park Winter Wonderland come from? Plan to do a little research for this one, and check out the additional information in the next section.

DELIVERABLES: 500 character concepts for the origin story and world of Winter Wonderland.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Families are the key target, but Winter Wonderland will host nearly 4 million guests over the course of its 45 day run, and that includes people of all ages, from all demographics, and from many different countries. You should consider the more mature audiences as well, i.e. it’s a great place for couples, friends and colleagues.

TONE: Magical, nostalgic, festive, fun, exciting, imaginative, joyful; but also inclusive, accepting & heartfelt. Winter Wonderland is about many cultures coming together with a shared experience, and celebrating Christmas together.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Your concept should not have overtly religious themes or storylines.
• Your concept should reflect the egalitarian nature of the festival and Hyde Park especially, which is known as the people's park. It should not lean heavily on royalty or the British crown.
• Your concept should allow for the fact that different cultures celebrate differently; Winter Wonderland brings together art, food, experiences, and people from all over the world. 

Developing a mythology and answering the question of where Winter Wonderland comes from is about building an entire world and creating an origin story for it - not to mention populating it with a few characters. You want a concept that can weave together many different lands and many different experiences for a broad multicultural audience. What ties the Bavarian Village to Santa Land and the Angels Christmas Market? How can you connect with the revelers at The Carousel Bar and the families touring the Magical Ice Kingdom? Your concept is the beginning of how Winter Wonderland's mythology comes together, but it's a critical piece.

It's important that you're familiar with Winter Wonderland, so check out this video, and some of the many things to do below:

• Major Attractions
• Rides & Games
• Santa Land
• The Bavarian Village and Food & Drink
• Spectacular Shows
  
• The Christmas Markets

Then, here's a few thought starters to consider:

• If this were a movie, what movie would it be?
• Why is the park here for visitors? 
• Who or what is responsible for the creation of the park?
• Where do the different parts of the park come from?  
• What brings everyone together in one place?
• Who are the characters in the park? Who are the artisans in the park? 
• What makes something like the Magical Ice Kingdom magical?

About Hyde Park Winter Wonderland:

Originating as a small market and ice rink, over the last decade Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has grown from a small market to a wintery extravaganza, with millions now making it part of their annual festive tradition. Winter Wonderland captures everything that is the Christmas spirit. An event that’s packed full of nostalgic excitement, rosy cheeks, cinnamon smells and firmly upheld family traditions. It has all of the fun of a fair, but with the world's largest transportable roller coast, a massive ice rink around a Victorian bandstand, two indoor venues with over 500 performances, carefully curated market stalls with hundreds of artisans and crafters, daring acrobatic feats and cosy alpine chalets – ensuring that there really is something for everyone. In 2018, it welcomed over 3.7 million visitors over 45 days. 

When asked what it is that keeps people coming back to Winter Wonderland, the overwhelming response is the festive atmosphere. Winter Wonderland has always been free to enter and inclusivity is integral to the ethos of the event, so anyone can see Santa and receive a free gift, to listening to one of the many free bands or shows on offer or simply just walking around to soak up the Christmas spirit! It’s important that people really do feel that they are walking around a magical ‘Winter Wonderland,’ and that sets it apart from any other carnival or Christmas fair around the world. 

In order to be considered, you must include the below materials in your initial Concept submission.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing your concept for the World and Origin Story of Winter Wonderland.
  
  
• CHARACTER AND WORLD CONCEPT ART (Optional): Visual representations of the characters or world outlined in your concept. These are not required, but can be helpful in communicating your vision to the Sponsor.
  
  
• SUPPORTING CONTENT (Optional): If you don't have your own artwork, but you'd like to share additional information that could help the Sponsor understand your concept, you may attach it to your submission. This might include a short treatment, reference images, or even a video.

Greenlit concept creators will receive $500 each. Should your concept be selected, you must complete the Winner Affidavit and IP Assignment forms in order to receive payment.

1. Unless provided otherwise, all work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed information of your work regarding the source, the creator and background information as requested by Tongal.
   
   
2. BY SUBMITTING A VIDEO ENTRY, YOUR SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY BECOMES THE SOLE PROPERTY OF TONGAL OR ITS ASSIGNEES – SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR VIDEO HOSTING SITE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF TONGAL. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR ENTRY IN THE PROJECT.
   
   
3. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
   
   
4. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
    
5. By submitting to this project, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the project sponsor determine the final rank order.
    
6. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
    
7. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
    
8. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
   
   
9. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
   
   
10. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these requirements and the Official Rules, the terms and conditions of these requirements shall prevail.