Best Places To See Christmas Lights In The UK 2023
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5 months ago
Must-see festive displays across the UK
Fancy seeing some Christmas lights? If you’re tired of driving down the same old local streets with their infamous sparkling decorations, head to one of the UK’s top festive spots to see pretty twinkling lights for the 2023 festive season.
Best Places To See Christmas Lights In The UK 2023
Christmas at Dunham Massey – Cheshire
Dunham Massey’s annual Christmas light trail is always a spectacular event, and this year won’t be any different. Now in its seventh year, visitors will enter the magical wonderland flanked by giant glittering deer, before wandering beneath tree canopies drenched in colourful lights and strolling beside colour-changing lakeside reflections. Finish with a hot chocolate or mulled wine for ultimate festive feels.
Details: 17 November–30 December 2023 at Dunham Massey, Altrincham WA14 4SJ. nationaltrust.org.uk
Northern Lights – Leazes Park, Newcastle
Epic Christmas illuminations will take over Newcastle’s Leazes Park this Christmas, with a fully accessible glittering mile-long trail through the park. Expect a giant snow globe, 3D light show and classic tunnel of light, perfect for snapping some pics. Refuel at the Christmas Village, filled with delicious festive treats like mulled wine, hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts.
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Details: 23 November 2023–1 January 2024 at Leazes Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BJ. northernlightsnewcastle.com
Central London
Oxford Street and Regent Street are famed for their Christmas lights, pulling thousands of visitors to the city streets. But some of the best Christmas lights are hidden down the side streets, like playful St Christopher’s Place and vibrant Carnaby Street.
Oxford Street Christmas lights
Details: Some lights are switched on from the beginning of November, while Trafalgar Square’s towering Christmas tree isn’t lit until December. Find all the dates and spots to know in our 2023 guide to Christmas lights in London.
Blenheim Palace – Oxfordshire
Every winter, Blenheim Palace adorns its stunning grounds with festive lights, inviting visitors to traverse the Illuminated Light Trail, before warming up with spiced winter drinks. Visitors can discover heart-shaped arches glittering in the moonlight, glowing tunnels filled with stars, and an eight-meter sphere filled with over 20,000 moving lights, plus the ever-popular dancing reflections in the colorful Cascades and the enchanting Lakeside walk.
© Blenheim Palace
Details: 17 November 2023–1 January 2024 at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock OX20 1PP. blenheimpalace.com
Westonbirt Arboretum – Gloucestershire
Enter an enchanting world of sparkling lights, festive sounds, mesmerising installations and beautiful trees at Westonbirt Arboretum’s annual Christmas lights display, ‘Enchanted Christmas’. Perfect For families, The National Arboretum is home to 15,000 tree specimens. Plus, relaxed light trail sessions are available for those with additional needs, with strong flashing lights, loud sound effects and smoke effects temporarily deactivated.
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Details: 24 November–23 December 2023 at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury GL8 8QS. forestryengland.uk
Christmas at Kew – London
One of the nation’s most famous winter light displays runs annually at Kew Gardens, and it’s back for 2023. See the extraordinary gardens from a new perspective with gorgeously glimmering Christmas lights decorating the plants and conservatories across a 2.6km stretch.
Details: 15 November 2023– 7 January 2024 at Kew Gardens, Richmond. kew.org
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Over a million twinkling Christmas lights will adorn Edinburgh’s beautiful Royal Botanic Garden this year, with a one-mile trail brimming with installations for guests to explore. Think tree canopies, iconic glasshouses and incandescent flowers rising high into the night sky. The trail culminates in a festive finale, illuminating the facade of Inverleith House in time to Christmas classics.
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Details: 16 November–30 December 2023 at Edinburgh Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ. rbge.org
Yorkshire Winter Illuminations – Stockeld Park, Harrogate
The ancient woodland of Stockeld Park will be transformed into a forest of Christmas lights from 18 November 2023, with dazzling lights, a captivating soundscape and animated installations.
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Details: 18 November 2023–8 January 2024 at Stockeld Park, Wetherby Rd, Wetherby LS22 4AN. stockeldpark.co.uk
