Christmas at Kew, the UK’s original festive light trail, opened on Friday, 13 November, turning the Royal Botanic Gardens in south-west London into a glowing after-dark walk through the winter.
The trail runs until Sunday, 3 January 2027, giving visitors almost eight weeks to see it. The route stretches for 3 kilometres through the gardens and features 30 light installations, mixing familiar favourites with new displays for this year.
Tickets cost £29.50 for adults on off-peak nights, rising to £37 at peak times, while children’s tickets are priced between £20 and £24. Visitors are advised to book ahead, as popular evenings often sell out.
New for 2026 are two adult-only evenings, on 3 and 9 December, giving grown-ups a chance to enjoy the trail without children. The evenings are aimed at visitors who want a quieter walk through the lights.
The trail has become one of London’s best-loved Christmas traditions since it first lit up Kew, and it now draws large crowds every winter. The displays use light, colour and music to transform familiar garden paths, showing off the gardens’ trees and lakes in a new light.
Kew is home to one of the world’s great plant collections, so the trail doubles as a chance to see the famous gardens after dark. Visitors can warm up with seasonal food and drink along the route, making it a full evening out rather than just a walk.
The trail is best enjoyed after dark, when the lights stand out against the winter sky. Evening slots are the most popular, so booking an earlier time or a weekday can mean a quieter walk through the gardens.
The opening marks the start of London’s festive season, with light trails and Christmas markets opening across the capital in the coming weeks. For many families, a trip to Christmas at Kew has become a yearly tradition, and the 2026 trail is expected to be one of the busiest yet.
Source: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
