Christmas 2026 | 13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
The UK’s original festive light trail is back. Christmas at Kew transforms London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site into a three-kilometre after-dark trail of light, music and seasonal magic. December tickets are selling fast, so here are five reasons to book now.
1. World-premiere installations
There are 30 installations on a freshly designed route. New for 2026, Squidsoup’s Infinite Choir plays with sound and light at the Treetop Walkway, Studio Vertigo’s Drift sends illuminated spheres rising into the air, French collective TILT has created larger-than-life blooms programmed to music, and ITHACA studio’s animated willow tree looks like water cascading from its canopy.
2. Much-loved festive favourites
The glowing Christmas Cathedral, the Fire Garden, the twinkling Pealight Tree and the Bubble Walk all return, along with the Palm House Pond finale, which this year adds a new fountain display and giant chandeliers. Look out for Candy Cane Lane, a Gingerbread Walk and life-sized Nutcrackers too.
3. New adult-only evenings
For the first time, there are dedicated 18+ evenings on Thursday 3 and Wednesday 9 December, perfect for a festive night out with friends, colleagues or a partner. On select nights, the VIP Exploration Lounge in the Davies Exploration House glasshouse offers a warm, adults-only spot with a complimentary drink.
4. Flexible tickets and quiet sessions
Anytime and Any Day tickets are back, so you don’t have to commit to a time slot. Early Quiet Access sessions for visitors with hidden or visual disabilities run on 21 November and 1, 16 and 26 December. November currently has the best availability.
5. Your ticket supports Kew’s work
As a charity, every ticket supports Kew’s science, conservation and education work. Warm up with toasted marshmallows, hot chocolate and mulled wine along the trail, and pick up early Christmas gifts at the Victoria Plaza Shop.
Tickets and info
Christmas at Kew
Kew Gardens, Richmond TW9 3AE
Selected dates, 13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027, 4.20pm – 10pm
Adults £29.50 – £37 | Children (4–16) £20 – £24 | Family £89 – £108 | Under-4s free
Advance booking only
Nearest station: Kew Gardens