Magical Light Festivals To Check Out This Winter
By
3 weeks ago
Ignite your Christmas spirit
What’s your favourite part about the run up to Christmas? Is it the gift gathering, the tasty treats in your advent calendar, or perhaps the Christmas lights springing up across your local area? As immersive experiences reach fever pitch, we’re reaching back to one of our favourite annual festivities: winter light trails.
Typically taking place after sunset, winter light trails generally see the nation’s stately homes and many parks set up a captivating path of twinkling lights, interspersed with larger, more showstopping installations. The most famous example is Christmas at Kew, which transforms the Royal Botanic Gardens into a captivating 3km trail complete with music, projections and Santa himself. But winter light trails aren’t always tied to Christmas; one of the rising stars on the agenda is Canary Wharf’s Winter Lights, a trail of light art installations put up every January for a pocket of glow amid the post-Christmas slump.
They are so popular they’ve spawned a microtrend: Halloween trails. But with all the spooks and scares wrapped up for another year, here are all of the winter light trails we’re excited to tread this year. Gloves at the ready…
Best Winter Light Festivals & Trails 2025
Sea of Light at Christmas at Kew 2024. (© Oliver Dixon)
Christmas At Kew, London
A firm favourite on the family-friendly Christmas agenda, Christmas At Kew is the nation’s most famous (and perhaps favourite) winter light trail, taking over the Royal Botanic Gardens every November and December since 2013. And Kew ups the ante every year, rustling up new show-stopping light installations from tunnels of light and dancing lakeside reflections to trees drenched in jewel-like colour. En route, find independent street food vendors serving up delicious festive treats, including spiked winter warmers and hot chocolate. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for Santa Claus…
Details: Running 4.20–10pm on selected dates from Friday 14 November 2025 until Sunday 4 January 2026 at Kew Gardens (entrances at Victoria Gate, Brentford Gate and Elizabeth Gate). Tickets start from £21.50pp.
Port Lympne Illuminated, Kent
A brand new nighttime spectacle is coming to Port Lympne in November 2025, transforming the beloved 600 acre wildlife park into a mesmerising light show. Expect new installations, water shows, interactive experiences and holograms that blur reality with the virtual. Adding some festivities in the mix, guests will also enjoy snow scenes, a winter wonderland and a Santa’s Grotto featuring an abundance of elves and the man in red himself. Extend the magic with an overnight stay: the new Nightlights Overnight package includes accomodation in one of the reserve’s 14 unique rooms, cabins and lodges plus access to the trail, while the two-night Christmas Stay invites guests to celebrate the big day among the animals, featuring up-close encounters and delicious dining.
Details: Running from 28 November 2025 to 3 January 2026 at Port Lympne (Aldington Rd, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LR), with overnight stays available throughout this time. The two-night Christmas Stay runs from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, with prices starting from £2,599.
Chelsea Winter Village, London
Returning to Royal Hospital Chelsea for another year, Chelsea Winter Village is home to an apres-ski style Curling Club pop-up, a festive market, tempting street food and nostalgic rides like a carousel and helter-skelter. But the main event is the illuminations: a breathtaking light trail weaving through the historic Ranelagh Gardens, featuring a giant shooting star, a glowing bauble booth and illuminated pyramid portals.
Details: 26 November to 28 December 2025 at Royal Hospital Chelsea (Royal Hospital Rd, London SW3 4LW). Tickets start from £5 for kids and £15 for adults.
Warwick Castle, Warwick
Warwick Castle’s magical Christmas Light Trail will return this winter for its best and biggest edition ever. Covering a whole mile (and taking around 45 minutes to explore), 41 beautiful light installations will be on display around the castle’s picturesque grounds – including 15 brand-new experiences, four new showpieces and a glowing jousting arena – comprising thousands of shimmering lights. There’s also an open-air ice skating rink and tasty seasonal treats to tuck into.
Details: Running Saturday 22 November 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026 at Warwick Castle (Warwick CV34 6AU). Tickets start from £17pp.
Neverland At Kenwood, London
A cute new winter experience is landing in North London this Christmas: Neverland at Kenwood. Visitors can expect a captivating light trail inspired by JM Barrie’s timeless tale, following Tinker Bell’s fairy dust path from built-up London to the heart of Neverland, from the heights of Big Ben to the Lost Boys’ secret hideout. Raising money for Great Ormand Street Hospital Charity, there will also be street food and hot drinks on offer along the trail.
Details: From 21 November 2025 to 3 January 2026 at Kenwood House (Hampstead Ln, London NW3 7JR). Tickets start from £12 for kids and £20 for adults.
Ashridge House Illuminated, Berkhamsted
Spanning 1.4km, Ashridge House Illuminated is the longest Christmas light trail in Hertfordshire – and it’s back for 2025, complete with 20 sparkling displays. Taking over the pretty 190 acres of Grade II* listed gardens at Ashridge House, at the end of the trail visitors can refuel with a tasty dish from the bigger-than-ever Food Village full of local vendors.
Details: Running 27 November 2025 until 1 January 2026 at Ashridge House (Ashridge House, Berkhamsted HP4 1NS). Tickets start from £14.40 for kids and £23.50 for adults.
(© Hugh Hastings)
Heligan Night Garden, St Austell
Cornwall’s Lost Gardens of Heligan are being taken over by creatures great and small with the new and improved Heligan Night Garden. Stretching more than a mile within the 200 acre estate, expect a range of wildlife inspired lanterns including a red robin, giant spider, dragonflies and birds, plus light instalations celebrating everything from rocks to the sea.
Details: On select dates between 15 November 2025 and 3 January 2026 at The Lost Gardens of Heligan (Pentewan, Saint Austell PL26 6EN). Tickets start from £13.50 for kids or £22.50 for adults.
