There are plenty of queues in the run-up to Christmas… but there’s only one Kew.
Christmas at Kew was the OG that started it all; the one that inspired a dozen other winter light trails in London. It’s been going for 12 years now, and as you’d imagine, they’ve become pretty good at the whole thing by now.
From the 2022 trail – credit Rikard Osterlund
As of 13th November, they’ll once more be transforming an entire 2.7km stretch of the botanic parkland that is Kew Gardens into an almost unfeasibly magical, after-hours, mulled-wine toting festive woodland light trail that’s taken over a year to plan. This year’s route involves no fewer than a million individual lights, from strings of fairy-lights to giant illuminated flowers; all adorning ancient trees, especially commissioned installations, and Kew’s iconic buildings.
Richard Haughton
Amongst brand new installations you’ll see all the returning Christmas at Kew favourites, including the flickering fire sculpture garden; the famous cathedral-inspired tunnel of light; and a windswept cascade of floating poppies. It’ll all lead you to the grand finale at Kew’s own stunning Palm House, a sweeping, 19th century wrought-iron and glass palace that houses the more tropical plants of the collection. They’ll be swathing the entire building in kaleidoscopic projections, while a musical fountain and laser beam show plays out on the lake in front.
Magical doesn’t even begin to cover it.
NOTE: Christmas at Kew 2024 runs from 13th November – 5th January 2025, and tickets start at £25.50. You can find out more and book tickets on the Kew Gardens website.
Christmas at Kew | Royal Botanic Gardens, TW9 3AE
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