Sparkle In the Park 2024!
Sparkle in the Park is a wonderful Christmas festival held this year from the 28th November until the 1st December from 4:30- 9pm.
It is completely free of charge to enter and doesn’t require a ticket, so there is no hassle of booking!
Located in Greenwich at Charlton Manor House, it truly is a wonderland which ensures you feel the festive spirit.
I had the amazing experience of visiting this week Friday and witnessing the array of lights which shone so brightly around the park.
As you first enter, there are light displays from all around the world, an example being St Lucia which described how they use bamboo bursting and playing local Para music to come together with their families!
Words describing the true meaning of Christmas were written on boards and the event exhibited mini replicas of hand made churches- which would be used to worship on Christmas Day.
As you further on through the park, you can spot huge illuminated domes of all different colours which look like rainbow bon-bons. This was called Evanescent, created by Atelier Sisu. It also acted as a great photo opportunity for many families.
The use of wooden arrows scattered around the park with directions on them were also very helpful as they told my family and I exactly where to go, when we needed assistance looking for something specific.
The Winter Tavern located inside the actual Charlton Manor House provided warm drinks such as hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows and also alcoholic beverages. It is a place suited for both young children and their parents.
The tavern was a cozy, warm place to escape from the blistering cold we are unfortunately facing this Winter!
If you want a more relaxed type of evening and prefer to stroll around leisurely with family or friends- there is such a wide variety of Christmas Market stalls to visit.
Some stalls include an Artisan Bakery, Christmas ornaments and handmade jewellery.
However, if you are more the daring type, Sparkle in the park holds a huge funfair of rides including the waltzers and bumper cars!
Additionally, if you happen to feel quite hungry during your visit, you could always buy from one of the various enticing food stalls.
A surplus of different cuisines are on offer- including- fish and chips, jollof rice, chicken shawarma and even rump steak with chimichurri!
On asking primary school teacher Danielle Harris about the event she said ‘ I’ve been visiting this event for many years now and I genuinely love it more every time I go- it being in Winter adds to the experience too! ’
The event is also inclusive to those of all needs, on the 1st December, a quiet hour will be held from 4:30-5:30 pm for those with disabilities and extra sensory needs- with music being played quieter, fewer members of the public and reduced flashing lights.
So, Sparkle In The Park acts as such a good welcoming into the festive month of December and acts as an outing which brings all the family together.
I am hoping that Sparkle In The Park returns next year and will be excitedly waiting to see if there will be another festive wonderland to visit in 2025! Would you be coming too?
