2026.11.13 — 2027.01.03 · Coming soon
Christmas at Kew 2026
Kew’s Christmas light trail runs for about 3 km on selected evenings from 13 November to 3 January 2027, 4.20pm to 10pm. New this year: Squidsoup’s sound-and-light piece Infinite Choir on the Treetop Walkway, Studio Vertigo’s Drift inspired by seeds carried on the wind, French collective TILT’s giant flowers lit to music, and ITHACA’s animated willow of light. The Christmas Cathedral, Fire Garden, Pealight Tree and Bubble Walk return, and there is a traditional festive fairground by the Temperate House.
Up on the Treetop Walkway, Squidsoup’s Infinite Choir spreads sound and light together; Studio Vertigo’s Drift, inspired by seeds on the wind, sends glowing spheres rising almost two metres.
Further on, TILT’s giant flowers light up to music, and on ITHACA’s willow the light runs like water from the branches to the ground.
The Christmas Cathedral, the Fire Garden, the Pealight Tree and the Bubble Walk all return, along with sparkling colour tunnels and a light show that moves with the music.
By the Temperate House there is a traditional festive fairground with rides for all ages, and when you stop for a rest there is hot chocolate, toasted marshmallows or mulled wine.
The trail opens through a festive gateway of oversized presents and illuminated arches, with Father Christmas waiting there.
Then come Candy Cane Lane, the Gingerbread Walk, life-sized Nutcrackers and giant glitter balls.
Checked · 2026-09-27
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2016 · m.shattock · Photo source · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Preview cropped; enlarge for full image. · Report image rights
The trail is not open every day, and entry is timed with limited capacity; last entry depends on your gate, between 7pm and 8pm, about an hour earlier on Christmas Eve.
When checked on 27 September, a number of December time slots and gates were already sold out.
3 and 9 December are adult-only evenings for over-18s; children cannot attend.
The evening ticket covers the light trail only; for daytime garden entry too, buy the combined ticket (garden entry 10am–2.30pm), then leave the Gardens before the trail begins and re-enter at the gate and time on your ticket.
Bicycles, scooters and balance bikes are not allowed (powered wheelchairs excepted); parking is limited and must be booked with your tickets, and Brentford Gate entry is only sold with a parking ticket.
Quiet Access sessions on 21 November and 1, 16 and 26 December are for visitors with hidden disabilities such as autism; others are asked not to book them.
For this multi-area event, use the current official guide; a verified map is not yet embedded.
Open official guide ↗2026-11-13–2027-01-03; consult the official calendar for individual operating dates and times.
Europe/LondonWalk from Kew Gardens station to Victoria Gate, or follow the entrance shown on your ticket.
Non-member adult GBP 29.50–37. Off-peak/peak rates include the GBP1 booking fee; daytime garden admission is separate.
From GBP 25.50
Check current official accessible routes and companion policies.
Dates and entry details refer to this edition; individual sessions may differ.
m.shattock · CC BY-SA 2.0 Image source
Kew, RG Live and Culture Creative
Information checked on 2026-09-27
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