Each winter, as twilight descends upon the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the familiar silhouette of its historic glasshouses is transformed into something otherworldly. Lanterns flicker, trees shimmer with iridescent light, and melodies drift through the crisp night air. From 14 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, Christmas at Kew returns for its twelfth edition — an enchanting evening experience that has become synonymous with the festive season in London.
Since its debut in 2013, Christmas at Kew has set the standard for illuminated winter trails across the United Kingdom. The event allows visitors to rediscover this UNESCO World Heritage Site in an entirely new light, quite literally, by showcasing the best of nature after dark. This year’s trail promises to be its most ambitious yet, weaving together eight world-premiere installations, a reimagined route that begins at the Palm House, and, for the first time, the Great Pagoda illuminated in spectacular fashion.
At the heart of the trail lies Christmas Orchestra, a new collaboration between Culture Creative and Filament, in which light and sound harmonise to mimic the structure of an orchestra, each instrument translated into a glowing rhythm. Another debut piece, In Bloom, created by Dutch multidisciplinary artist Wilhelmusvlug, evokes the weightless grace of flower petals drifting through the air, their translucent hues casting a dreamlike glow across the Gardens.
This year also marks the arrival of a magnificent new bridge across the Palm House Pond, allowing guests to step into a completely new perspective on one of Kew’s most iconic vistas. The water’s surface will be adorned with 100 illuminated lilies — a poetic tribute to Kew’s celebrated waterlilies, which have long symbolised the Garden’s pioneering botanical achievements.
Elsewhere, an interactive installation of illuminated dance floors invites visitors to slip on giant headphones and lose themselves in a curated soundtrack of nostalgic festive tunes, while Mycelium Network glows softly beneath the trees — a delicate tapestry of fibre-optic strands inspired by the hidden world of fungi. This intricate display mirrors Kew’s cutting-edge research into fungal biodiversity, a poignant reminder that beneath every forest lies an unseen network that sustains life on Earth.
A special installation will also celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, underscoring Kew’s ongoing mission to safeguard plant diversity for future generations. Throughout the trail, moments of reflection and discovery are interwoven with the joy of the season — from the atmospheric Fire Garden to the glowing Pealight Tree along Holly Walk, and the luminous arches of the much-loved Christmas Cathedral.
The experience culminates at the Temperate House, the world’s largest surviving Victorian glasshouse, where a spectacular finale of light and music celebrates both the splendour of the architecture and the rarity of the plants it shelters. Few festive moments rival the sight of this grand glasshouse illuminated against the winter sky, its intricate ironwork glittering as carols and choral harmonies fill the air.
Guests can pause along the trail to enjoy an array of winter warmers and festive street food — from spiced mulled wine and roasted chestnuts to indulgent sweet treats. For those seeking a more leisurely dining experience, the Pavilion Bar & Grill will offer a seasonal menu of hearty dishes served in a convivial, candlelit setting.
In keeping with Kew’s deep-rooted commitment to sustainability, all lighting along the route is powered by energy-efficient LEDs, and generators run entirely on renewable biofuel. Every ticket sold directly supports Kew’s conservation work — funding vital research, restoration projects and initiatives to protect plant and fungal life worldwide.
“Christmas at Kew is a firm favourite of the seasonal calendar, and the experience this year promises to be just as enchanting as always,” says Sandra Botterell, Director of Marketing and Commercial Enterprise at Kew. “With a freshly designed route and a spectacular selection of new installations, we’re very excited to welcome visitors once again to enjoy the beauty of nature by night.”
For those wishing to continue their festive journey beyond London, Kew’s sister site in Sussex, Wakehurst, will host Glow Wild, now in its thirteenth year. The trail there features bespoke artworks, immersive soundscapes, and one of the world’s largest living Christmas trees — a soaring beacon of light and life.
Tickets for both events are now available at www.kew.org/christmas, with advance booking essential. For many, a visit to Christmas at Kew has become a cherished annual tradition — a moment of stillness and wonder that reminds us, amidst the sparkle and celebration, of the enduring power and beauty of the natural world.
