Free flight: balloon flights were popular with park visitors more than 150 years ago " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/insidecroydon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Balloon-flights.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1" class=" wp-image-232305" src="https://i0.wp.com/insidecroydon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Balloon-flights.jpg?resize=361%2C361&ssl=1" alt width="361" height="361" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/insidecroydon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Balloon-flights.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/insidecroydon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Balloon-flights.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/insidecroydon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Balloon-flights.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/insidecroydon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Balloon-flights.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/insidecroydon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Balloon-flights.jpg?resize=768%2C768&ssl=1 768w" sizes="(max-width: 361px) 100vw, 361px">
Free flight: balloon rides were popular with visitors to the Crystal Palace more than 150 years ago
After more than a year of regeneration works, key areas of Crystal Palace Park have been transformed, including the world-famous Grade I-listed dinosaurs, while the new Visitor Centre is ready to open and a dinosaur adventure playground has been built.
Other updates and improvements have been made to pathways, the park’s landscapes, accessibility and spaces “for everyone to enjoy”, says the Crystal Palace Park Trust, ahead of a weekend of celebrations to mark the transformation – and you’re invited to attend and take part in the free activities.
“The park will be filled with things to see and do, from performances and workshops to creative activities, music, food and plenty of surprises along the way,” says the Trust.
Highlights across the weekend include:
Tethered hot air balloon rides (available via ballot)
Pengenista Drummers, with carnival dancers
DIY dino art workshops and creative masterclasses
Stilt walkers and fire performers
Vintage lawn games
Iguanodon Restaurant theatre performance
Food market and bar – open all weekend
Crystal Palace Museum – open all weekend
The South Bank might have the London Eye, but Crystal Palace Park has opted to go with something more in keeping with its Victorian heritage, offering balloon flights that provide a real-time overview of the park and all that it has to offer.
Historic relics: it has taken volunteer groups more than a decade to get the park’s dinosaurs repaired and restored " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/insidecroydon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/restored-dinosaurs.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1" class=" wp-image-232308" src="https://i0.wp.com/insidecroydon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/restored-dinosaurs.jpg?resize=589%2C393&ssl=1" alt width="589" height="393" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/insidecroydon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/restored-dinosaurs.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/insidecroydon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/restored-dinosaurs.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/insidecroydon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/restored-dinosaurs.jpg?resize=150%2C100&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/insidecroydon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/restored-dinosaurs.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/insidecroydon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/restored-dinosaurs.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 589px) 100vw, 589px">
Historic relics: it has taken volunteer groups more than a decade to get the park’s dinosaurs repaired and restored
These were a regular feature in the park from the 1860s onwards, and in 2026 tickets are free, but places are limited. You must enter the ballot for your chance to win a spot for two people. Click here. You’ve got to be in it to win a ticket…
Tethered balloon rides will launch from the Old Cricket Ground on Saturday July 18. Flights will last for approximately five minutes.
Plus the Crystal Palace Museum will be open both days from 10am–4pm, after a £5million restoration project the giant dinosaurs are ready to be admired in all their glory, there’s the bboating lake and the dinosaur playground.
This project has been made possible by major grants from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, as well as funding from the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation, London Marathon Foundation, and the Pilgrim Trust.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Inside Croydon – If you want real journalism, delivering real news, from a publication that is actually based in the borough, please consider paying for it. Sign up today: click here for more details
PAID ADS: To advertise your services or products to our 10,000 weekday visitors to the site, as featured on Google News Showcase, email us inside.croydon@btinternet.com for our unbeatable ad rates
If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, or want to publicise your residents’ association or business, or if you have a local event to promote, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
As featured on Google News Showcase