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Children’s Fairyland in Oakland is turning topsy-turvy – at least for one night.

The beloved children’s amusement park at Lake Merritt is inviting grown-ups to tumble down the rabbit hole for a whimsical after-hours Mad Tea Party on Friday, April 24.

As dusk settles over the 10-acre campus, Fairyland will transform into a surreal playground centered around a proper tea party set up on Jack and Jill Hill, with teas and treats, music and “Alice in Wonderland” characters performing live cabaret and circus arts. Roaming artists throughout the evening will be from the women-led Live Loud Circus ensemble.

Guests can roam through a maze, hop aboard the Jolly Trolly and hit a glowing black-light dance floor in the venue’s Merry Meadow to enjoy live sets from Bay Area DJ HeyLove*.

Expect Wonderland inspired cocktails, mocktails, plus food trucks and pop-up activities throughout the park.

A new tiered VIP lounge may be sold out this time around, but Fairyland’s Happily After Hours series promises more adults-only evenings are in the cards.

More Information

Fairyland Mad Tea Party: 6-10 p.m. Friday, April 24. $28. Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. 510-452-2259. www.fairyland.org/mad-tea-party

From subtle homage to full-on Wonderland extravagance, all levels of creative costumes are encouraged.

This article originally published at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland turns into adults-only Wonderland for one night.