In 2001, Europa-Park opened for its first winter season. That year, approximately 180,000 visitors attended during the winter; as of 2012, that number had grown to 500,000. The park celebrates the winter in style – offering an ice rink, a skibob track, the Big Wheel Bellevue and festive decor. The park is also home to an annual Christmas market. Since 2002, the park hosts an annual Weihnachtsmann-Treffen ("English: Santa Claus Convention"). Visitors who enter the park wearing a Santa Claus costume can purchase their tickets at a discount.