Crystal Palace Park will fully reopen today (Saturday, July 18) with a celebration featuring free activities, marking the completion of a 15-month regeneration project that revitalized several of the Victorian park's most treasured features.
Revamped attractions and activities
Among the revamped areas is the Geological Court, where Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins' Grade I-listed sculptures of prehistoric dinosaurs line the promenade. These dinosaurs were moved to the park in 1854 after the Great Exhibition closed. A new visitor centre, a dinosaur adventure playground, and a food market offering global cuisine are now open to the public.
Visitors can enjoy vintage lawn games, stilt walkers, carnival dancers, and fire performers throughout the weekend. The park will be filled with performances, workshops, creative activities, music, food, and surprises, according to the trust overseeing the park.
Weekend highlights
Key attractions include tethered hot air balloon rides (ballot closed), Pengenista drummers with carnival dancers, DIY dino art workshops, creative masterclasses, a food market and bar open all weekend, and the Crystal Palace Museum open both days from 10am to 4pm. The Iguanodon Restaurant will host a theatre performance.
Public pathways and areas such as the Italian terraces have been beautified and made more accessible. Visitors can marvel at the dinosaur sculptures, stroll by the boating lake, or explore the dinosaur playground.
Funding and future
The regeneration was funded by grants from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, Wolfson Foundation, London Marathon Foundation, and the Pilgrim Trust.
