Amid all the regeneration works taking place within the Grade II*-listed Crystal Palace Park, there’s also a busy schedule of events coming up, including Christmas wreath-making, a charity fun run and an arts and crafts fair in the award-winning Subway
Clean-up: the bust of Sir Joseph Paxton, the designer of the Crystal Palace, is being spruced up before a move to the Italian Terraces next year
Works are underway in Crystal Palace Park to complete a new, dinosaur-inspired adventure playground, due to be completed by the middle of next year.
Regeneration works are happening across the park, with some paths closed and sections of the park fenced off as part of a major project being delivered by the Crystal Palace Park Trust.
Events, tours and activities are continuing around the park in the meantime, including guided tours and events in the award-winning Crystal Palace Subway.
The design for the new playground takes its inspiration from the park’s dinosaur sculptures which, when the park opened in 1856, were the world’s first attempt to depict these prehistoric “monsters” based on the fossils being found by Victorian palaeontologists.
Now, 170 years after the dinosaurs first awed visitors to the park, children will be able to be inspired by these sculptures all over again.
“As children play, they will find elements of dinosaurs everywhere to spark their imagination and creativity,” the Trust says.
New playground: how the dinosaur-inspired area fits within the park regeneration
“Claw marks carve slides into the embankment, while skeleton-inspired structures create unique opportunities for climbing, swinging, sliding and balancing. The curve of a dinosaur’s tail forms a play trail, and a sandpit shaped like a giant dinosaur footprint gives younger children a chance to enjoy fossil hunting adventures.”
The playground will feature sensory-rich environments with dynamic play equipment and clear pathways, so that “children can explore, challenge themselves and play together at their own pace”.
All the regeneration works in the park are expected to wrap up by summer 2026.
More immediately, activities in and around the park continue, including:
Sat Nov 29: Festive wreath making workshop
From 10am to 1pm
Tickets: £67.50 (18+ only)
Start your festive season with a guided foraging walk in the park, then head to the Concert Platform to create your own beautiful Christmas wreath with award-winning florist Lucy Sinclair.
Adults-only workshop with all materials and refreshments provided.
Book your ticket by clicking here
Sun Nov 30: Mental Elf 5km fun run
Registration 10am. Race start 11am
Entry fees from £15
In aid of South-East London Mind, everyone is welcome to take part in this festive 5k fun run – the emphasis is on the fun!
Entry forms and more details can be found by clicking here
Sat Nov 29-Sun Nov 30: Handmade Palace Art and Craft Market
From 10am to 5pm
Entry: £2.50 (for those aged 16+)
Explore 42 stalls, each showcasing the very best of south London’s independent artists, designers and makers. From handcrafted gifts to festive decorations and original art, this is your chance to shop local, support small businesses, and find one-of-a-kind presents.
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