South London Christmas Market and Ice Rink Postponed at Last Minute Due to ‘Severe Weather’

Anyone eager to dive into the festive season will have to wait a little longer, as the launch of South London’s Winter Gardens has been pushed back a week due to Storm Claudia. The event, planned to open at 11am on Saturday, November 15 in Beckenham Place Park, will now begin on Saturday, November 22 after organisers postponed the opening because of severe weather conditions.

Lewisham Council confirmed the delay in a statement, explaining: “With an amber weather warning in place for Storm Claudia and forecasts predicting a month’s worth of rain within 24 hours, we have reluctantly chosen to move the opening of the Winter Gardens to next Saturday. This will allow the grounds time to recover.

“These extreme weather conditions affect both onsite safety during the final preparations and the overall visitor experience. Ensuring the safety of our staff, contractors and visitors is our top priority.

“We want everyone to enjoy their visit, and we are contacting all customers and ticket holders with details on rearranging their bookings for a drier day. We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.”

The Winter Gardens attraction will include a unique ice rink housed inside a wooden bandstand, alongside a festive market with more than 15 stalls offering handmade gifts, crafts, seasonal treats and holiday décor. Guests can also catch performances by the award-winning Revel Puck Circus, known for its dynamic blend of storytelling and acrobatics.

A standout feature of the event is The Winter Lodge—a frosted glass venue divided into three themed zones: a classic bar for adults; a family-friendly area with games and Christmas music; and ‘the hideaway,’ a vibrant games bar with shuffleboard, table tennis, pool, and UV gaming sessions on weekends.

The fairground will offer over 15 festive rides, including Santa’s Runaway Train, Race-O-Rama, and flying reindeer planes. For more holiday fun, visitors can try Plonk Golf, a nine-hole Christmas-themed crazy golf course filled with glowing lights, loops and hills.

Shoppers can browse Christmas Trees by O’ Christmas Tree, offering premium trees and decorations. Food stalls will serve everything from Yorkshire wraps and gourmet burgers to churros, crepes, doughnuts and traditional sweets.

Entry to the site is free, but certain attractions require tickets. Plonk Golf costs £12.05 for adults, £9.36 for children under 12, or £35.24 for a family of four. Ice rink tickets are £15.27 for adults, £9.90 for children, and £42.84 for families. The circus also requires a paid ticket.