There no city as magical as London at Christmas, when the evenings draw in, the air turns crisp and the city begins to sparkle with fairy lights. But for a truly festive outing, there is something to be said for leaving the high street behind and wandering through a garden transformed by light after dark.
From immersive installations in botanical gardens to illuminated winter landscapes just beyond the capital, these are the Christmas light trails to put on your list for 2026.
Christmas at Kew, Richmond
Dates: 13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Christmas at Kew returns to the Royal Botanic Gardens this November, turning its iconic botanical landscape into an after-dark spectacle. The three-kilometre trail combines new commissions with familiar favourites, inviting visitors to see Kew's extraordinary trees and glasshouses in a completely different light.
The installations for 2026 will include spellbindingly spectacular light installations, sparkling colour tunnels, immersive soundscapes and even visits from Father Christmas.
There will also be festive food and drink, a traditional fairground and, for the first time, dedicated adults-only evenings, on 3 and 9 December, which is an appealing option for those who would rather swap the usual Christmas party for a wholesome wintry wander beneath the trees.
Tickets: From £25.50, advance booking is essential.
Book: Christmas at Kew
RHS Glow at Wisley, Surrey
Dates: 20 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
For festive lights with a horticultural twist, RHS Garden Wisley offers an evening walk through one of the country's most beautiful gardens. This year's Glow trail introduces new routes and previously unlit areas, with new installations being unveiled.
Visitors can expect a dramatic field of fire, giant illuminated crocuses and an enchanted garden inside the Glasshouse. The Rock Garden will become a fairy village, while another installation takes inspiration from the intricate networks of mycelium and plant roots. Two new light-and-sound shows, one featuring fountains and another fire, add a more theatrical dimension to the evening.
As well as the illuminations, there will be festive food and drink, fire pits for toasting marshmallows and late-opening garden shops for seasonal gifts. It is a lovely option for those looking to combine a winter walk with some inevitable Christmas shopping.
Tickets: From £7.50 for non-member adults and £6 for children, with lower starting prices for RHS members.
Book: RHS Glow 2026 at RHS Wisley
RHS Glow at Hyde Hall, Essex
Dates: 26 November – 30 December 2026.
A little further out of London, RHS Garden Hyde Hall offers a different sort of festive spectacle, with vast landscapes and carefully tended garden rooms providing the setting for an evening of light and colour. The 2026 trail introduces nine new installations and an updated route, revealing corners of the garden that have never previously been illuminated.
The journey begins among delicate reed lights in the Birch Grove before winding through the Winter Garden, where living willow sculptures made by the RHS gardening team bring a natural, sculptural quality to the displays. Elsewhere, visitors can expect large-scale installations, playful circles of colour and works inspired by the hidden patterns of nature, from mycelium networks to beehives and dandelions.
Tickets: From £12 for non-member adults and £7.50 for children, with reduced prices for RHS members. Under-fives go free.
Book: RHS Glow at Hyde Hall
Windsor Great Park Illuminated, Surrey
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Dates: 13 November 2026- 3 January 2027
For a festive evening away from bustle of central London make your way to Windsor Great Park. A woodland surrounding Savill Garden that becomes a whimsical after dark adventure. With a trail that meanders through historic trees and woodland clearings, the park promises an forgettable festive experience for all the family.
Book: Windsor Great Park Illuminated
Christmas light trails are popular, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings and in the run-up to Christmas, so booking ahead is very sensible. Check the individual event's calendar before travelling, as most trails operate on selected dates rather than every evening. Wrap up warmly and leave time to enjoy the seasonal food and drink along the way!
