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 11 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 15th November, they’ll 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 2023 runs from 15th November – 7th January 2024, and tickets start at £22.50. You can find out more and book on their website HERE.
Christmas at Kew | Royal Botanic Gardens, TW9 3AE
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