Let there be light! It’s that time of the year again; the days are shorter and the evenings, darker which means Christmas is on the horizon. Outdoor light shows in some of the UK's most popular gardens to visit, including Kew, the RHS gardens and National Trust properties are a great way to spend time with family and friends and are always a hit with kids. We have compiled 22 of the best Christmas light shows to visit near you in the UK, from Edinburgh to Cornwall, in the hope that you can get your proper festive fix.
All of these Christmas light shows require booking in advance.
Jump to
- What to bring to a Christmas light show
- The best Christmas light shows in the south east
- The best Christmas light shows in the south west
- The best Christmas light trails in the heart of England
- The best Christmas light trails in the north of England
- The best Christmas light trails in Scotland
Expert picks
Gardens Illustrated digital writer Alice Tuffery is something of a Christmas light show aficionado - she visits at least one show a year with her family. She selects some of her favourites.
Blenheim Palace - 5/5 A must for anyone who loves Christmas! You can go around the decorated house and illuminated gardens, and both are impressive, guiding you through the story chosen for the year's theme. Plus, the markets are neatly laid out in the courtyard area in front of the main palace doors, with the gardens just behind, so everything is close and relatively accessible.
Longleat - 5/5 A truly impressive spectacle. There’s plenty to do here, which makes it great for all the family. Start the day with a Winter Safari to see the animals, then enjoy a tour of Longleat House, before taking in the themed light trail. This one is a little different as the makers create different life-size storybook figures every year, lit from inside in vivid colour.
Kew Gardens - 4.5/5 One of the most iconic Christmas light shows around. The light and music display in front of the Palm House is a true highlight. The route passes by the gift shop and several festive food and drink cabins, so don't miss the chance to browse and buy seasonal treats as you go round - you can't go back!
Stourhead - 4.5/5 The main focus at Stourhead is the gardens. The decorations are creatively laid out and beautiful too – the lake is a particular highlight of the trail, and as magical for adults as it is for children.
Westonbirt Arboretum - 4/5 Westonbirt is lovely to visit all year round, and particularly in autumn, but here the towering trees are lit in glorious, festive colours. Although there’s no house to explore, Father Christmas is there to greet visitors, and you can stop in at the food markets and traditional fairground rides.
Waddesdon Manor - 4/5 Highlights include the magical children’s book themes inside house, the big selection of Christmas markets selling homeware, clothing and tasty treats, and the mini food village with a great choice of different meals. While the garden light trail wasn’t quite as impressive as Blenheim Palace and Stourhead, it was still an enjoyable way to end the day.
The best Christmas light shows in 2025
The best Christmas light shows in the south east
Glow at Wisley, RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey
The RHS Garden Wisley, near Woking in Surrey, brings back its Christmas light show Glow, for 2025, with a walking trail for visitors alongside light shows and musical accompaniment which highlights some of the garden’s most-loved sights. This year there will be 13 installations, including four new ones fo Glow 2025. Includes a show-stopping Glasshouse experience and Fire & Fountains finale.
Dates: 21 November 2025 – 4 January 2026 (excl. 24-26 December)
Entry times: 4-7:45pm
RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley Lane, Wisley, Woking, GU23 6QB.
Book now at rhs.org.uk/wisley
Become an RHS member to get reduced-price tickets and free entry to over 200 other gardens.
RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Essex
See RHS Garden Hyde Hall in a whole new light thanks to the illuminated Christmas trail. The garden, near Chelmsford in Essex, has had a magical technicolour makeover, and the festive fun begins as soon as you arrive. Visitors are greeted with a magnificent lone oak tree, lit up on a distant hillside, before embarking on a winding, twinkling route around the rest of the garden.
There will be 26 installations in 2025, including 13 new ones. There will be a more immersive route through the Robinson Garden for the first time, featuring a new installation, Mycelium.
Selected dates 21 November – 27 December 2025
Entry times: 5-7pm, 21-29 November and 4:30-7pm, 3-27 December
RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Chelmsford, CM3 8ET. Book a train to South Woodham Ferrers station.
Book now at rhs.org.uk/hydehall
Become an RHS member to get reduced-price tickets and free entry to over 200 other gardens.
Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, West Sussex
Admire the historic mansion buildings and Grade I listed gardens at Leonardslee in West Sussex with its inventive, mile-long trail. Expect specially composed soundscapes, theatrical flourishes and lantern creations, plus the return of local artists Ithaca, who will be unveiling a dazzling new installation this year.
Selected dates 28 November - 30 December 2025
Entry times: 4:15-8:30pm
Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham, RH13 6PP. Stay overnight at the stylish Gravetye Manor, just half an hour away by car. Free shuttle bus from Horsham station.
Book now at leonardsleegardens.co.uk/lights-2025
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, London
The hugely popular Kew gardens Christmas light show returns for another year. The iconic Kew gardens will be lit up by over one-million lights, making it one of the brightest and most sparkling of Christmas light shows. Visitors can enjoy festive bursts of colour throughout the gardens and marvel at the beautifully illuminated Palm House. This year, there will be spectacular new creations from world-wide artists presented uniquely for the first time in the UK. You might even glimpse Father Christmas along the way.
Selected dates 14 November 2025 - 4 January 2026
Times: 4:20-10pm (last entry times vary depending on entry gate)
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE. Book a train to Richmond Station.
Book now at kew.org
Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens At Christmas, Hampshire
Hampshire’s largest multi-award-winning Christmas light trail is back with a completely reimagined trail for 2025. Expect a series of immersive themed zones showcasing glowing gardens, enchanted hollows, playful dreamscapes and more...
27th November - 3rd January 2026
Entry times: 4:30-8pm
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Ampfield Nr. Romsey, Hampshire SO51 0QA.
Book now at lightuptrails.com
Wakehurst, Sussex
At Wakehurst, the wilder sister to the Royal Botanical Gardens Kew, Glow Wild is returning for its 12th anniversary edition. At Glow Wild 2025 you will encounter fantastical animals, walk among giants, be wowed by a giant mythical sea creature. Plus, Cate Blanchett, Kew Ambassador for Wakehurst, has voiced some of the words visitors will hear as they walk through the installations.
Selected dates 27 November 2025 - 3 January 2026
Times: 4-10pm
Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex, RH17 6TN. For nearby accommodation, try The Bell in Ticehurst, just 10 minutes away by car, which has beautiful, whimsical rooms.
Book now at kew.org
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Kent
Nestled in the High Weald in Kent, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is Bedgbury National Pinetum and Forest. The festive trail with more than one million lights is always a hit with adults and children alike. This year there will be new installations such as ‘Light as a Feather’, the warming glow of ‘Floating Candles’, and the harmonious ‘Choir of Trees.’
Selected dates 21 November - 31 December 2025
Entry times: 4-8pm
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Lady Oak Lane, Goudhurst, TN17 2SJ.
Book now at forestryengland.uk
Belton House, Lincolnshire
There's an illuminated trail and Christmas light show through the gardens at The National Trust’s Belton House in Lincolnshire. Take in an amazing display of giant luminescent candles, baubles and glowing flowers, as well as a tunnel of light and a swaying meadow full of shimmering lights, and a host of independent street food vendors to sample along the way. Make sure to enjoy a mulled wine or hot chocolate and don’t forget to spot Santa and his elves…
Selected dates 21 November - 31 December 2025
Entry times: 4:15-7:30pm
Belton House, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 2LS. Book a train to Grantham Station.
Book now at nationaltrust.org.uk
Become a National Trust member to get free entry to the National Trust's 500 sites across the UK.
Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
Join Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild and his beloved dog, Poupon, on a festive trans-European tour. Every stop on their journey will highlight a different city, blending local heritage, seasonal customs, and links to Waddesdon’s famous collection.
The Manor and Gardens will be illuminated with an innovative new immersive light show, combining a specially commissioned digital projection, lights and sound. Plus a Christmas Fair and Food Village.
Wednesday-Sunday, 22 November 2025 – 4 January 2026, plus 22, 23, 29 & 30 December. Excludes 25-26 December.
Entry times: 12:30-6:30pm
Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury HP18 0JH.
Book tickets via Waddeson Manor
The best Christmas light shows in the south west
RHS Garden Rosemoor, Devon
RHS Garden Rosemoor have created another festive Christmas light trail, with favourite garden areas, including the Lady Anne’s Historic Garden and arboretum, lit up with festive colour and sparkle.
There will be 18 installations this year, including seven new ones, and the route weaves through the redesigned Winter Garden for the first time.
Selected dates 21 November – 30 December 2025
Entry times: 4:30-7:15pm
RHS Garden Rosemoor, Torrington, EX38 8PH. Entry by pre-booked tickets only
Book now at rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
Become an RHS member to get reduced-price tickets and free entry to over 200 other gardens.
The Eden Project, Cornwall
The Eden Project in Cornwall is a popular destination during the festive season, and has the added advantage of being mostly under cover. It's also a chance to explore the biomes at night. Plus, there's the option to go ice skating, enjoy a luxury three-course Cornish Christmas lunch and meet Father Christmas himself - all bookable separately.
Selected dates 21 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Times: 4–8pm
Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG. Book a train to Par Station or St Austell Station.
Book tickets at edenproject.com
Entry included with an Eden Project entry ticket.
Stourhead, Wiltshire
Known for its spectacular trees and picturesque lake, Stourhead’s Christmas light show drenches the scenery in wonderful luminescent colours. This year, the team have added plenty of new installations, including a mesmerising Star Show, a Sea of Light and dazzling lasers, which sit alongside old favourites like the tunnel of light and colour-changing reflections across the lake.
Plus, there will be festive treats and music, and not forgetting Father Christmas, of course.
Selected dates 28 November - 31 December 2025
Entry times: 4-8pm
Stourhead, Mere, Wiltshire, BA12 6QD. Stay overnight at the Spread Eagle Inn on the Stourhead Estate to enjoy the gardens in the daylight too.
Book now at nationaltrust.org.uk
Longleat, Wiltshire
Longleat's Festival of Light returns this year with more life-size lanterns than ever, plus a Winter Safari. Expect show-stopping scenes involving 'British Icons' Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and more. There will also be other fun favourites, including the 15-metre Enchanted Christmas Tree show and Britain's biggest maze. A light show will also bring the facade of Longleat House to life.
Selected dates 8 November 2025 – 11 January 2026
Book now at longleat.co.uk
The best Christmas light trails in the heart of England
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Gloucestershire
Embark on a festive nighttime journey through the statuesque trees at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum in Tetbury. This year, the display has been created by the award-winning producers behind Christmas at Kew Gardens, and features brand-new installations including ‘Mycelium Network’, ‘Fireworks Trees’ and ‘Wicker Animals’. You might even spot Father Christmas on the trail...
Selected dates 28 November - 31 December 2025
Time slots vary by date
Westonbirt, Tetbury, GL8 8QS
Book now at forestryengland.uk
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Blenheim Palace has one of the most impressive light shows around, and this year the theme is The Palace of Oz, with the option to take an 'Emerald City-themed' afternoon tea before the trail. Follow the yellow brick road through the palace itself, and then head outside to take the magical after-dark trail through the gardens. There's also ice skating, food and gift markets and the dizzying observation wheel to enjoy.
14th November 2025 - 3rd January 2026
Various time slots available
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1UL. Book a stay at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons for an extra treat if you're in need of local accommodation.
Book now at blenheimpalace.com
Cambridge Botanic Gardens, Cambridgeshire
Following the success of 2023's first light trail at Cambridge Botanic Garden, its winter event returns this year. The gardens will be brought to life with stunning after dark displays, highlighting some of the gardens most loved features such as the fountain, lake and glasshouses, plus some new installations for 2025...
Thursdays - Sundays, 28 November - 23 December 2025
Entry times: 4:40-8pm
Cambridge University Botanic Garden, 1 Brookside, Cambridge, CB2 1JE. Book a train to Cambridge Station.
Book now at botanic.cam.ac.uk
Helmingham Hall, Suffolk
The stunning gardens designed by Xa Tollemache will be transformed into a stunning world of light, colour, and sound, featuring new displays for this year. Cross the historic drawbridge, enjoy festive treats and toast marshmallows around fire pits. Browse the Stables Shops for unique gifts, and warm up with a complimentary mulled wine.
Selected dates 14th November - 19th December 2025
Entry times: 4:30-8pm
Helmingham, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 6EF. Book a train to Stowmarket Station.
Book now at helmingham.com
The best Christmas light trails in the north of England
RHS Garden Harlow Carr, North Yorkshire
The Christmas light trail at the RHS’s most northern garden returns this year, where special lighting effects will show off the garden’s magnificent trees and shrubs and create spectacular reflections in the lake. Guests will be able to admire the garden sculptures and popular Winter Walk, as well as the route along the garden’s Streamside.
There will be 23 installations in 2025, including a new figure-of-eight route around Queen Mother’s Lake for even more magical views.
Selected dates 19 November – 23 December 2025
Entry times: 4:30-7:15pm
RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate HG3 1QB. Stay at Rudding Park Hotel, a 15-minute drive away, to enjoy more beautiful gardens. Book a train to Harrogate or Hornbeam Park Station.
Book now at rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
Become an RHS member to get reduced-price tickets and free entry to over 200 other gardens.
Dunham Massey, Cheshire
Christmas at The National Trust’s Dunham Massey in Cheshire returns for its ninth year. This time, the popular Christmas light show introduces brand-new installations, from a field of colour-changing stars over five-metres tall; larger-than-life glowing flowers on the Crocus Lawn; and Christmas trees made from thousands of LEDs. Plus, there's a new Dunham Massey house projection, and festive food and treats, of course.
14 November 2025 – 3 January 2026
Time slots vary by date
National Trust Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4SJ. Book a train to Altrincham Station.
Book now at nationaltrust.org.uk
Become a National Trust member to get free entry to the National Trust's 500 sites across the UK.
RHS Bridgewater, Salford
The beautiful gardens of the RHS Garden Bridgewater will be illuminated throughout the dark hours to get you in the festive mood. The twinkling trail includes 24 installations, 13 of them new, and stretches into the Community Garden and Welcome Garden for the first time. Visitors can explore new areas, including the Community Garden and Welcome Garden and enjoy interactive fun with the Swing Song and adjustable lighting at the Garden Cottage.
Selected dates 26 November – 30 December 2025
Entry times: 4:30- 8pm
Entry by pre-booked timed tickets only. RHS Garden Bridgewater, Occupation Road, Off Leigh Road, Worsley, Salford, Greater Manchester, M28 2LJ
Book now at rhs.org.uk/bridgewater
Auckland Aglow, County Durham
Auckland Palace’s dazzling light trail will illuminate the skies of County Durham's Bishop Auckland once again this Christmas. AGLOW is one of the best Christmas light trails in the North East with a 1.5-mile-long trail and some of the largest light installations in the country, plus delicious seasonal food and drinks.
Selected dates 21 November - 31 December 2025, peak and off-peak times available. Sensory sessions are also available on selected dates.
The Auckland Project, Auckland Tower, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7PG.
Book here via Auckland Aglow
The best Christmas light trails in Scotland
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Enter a botanical world full of festive cheer at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s Christmas light show. Wander the gardens and marvel at spellbinding installations from international artists, before warming up with seasonal treats like toasted marshmallows, creamy hot chocolate and spiced winter warmers.
Selected dates 20 November - 30 December 2025
Time slots vary by date
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Arboretum Place, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ. Book a train to Edinburgh Waverley Station.
Book now at rbge.org.uk
Creating your own garden light display? We've found the most beautiful outdoor decorations:
What to bring to a Christmas light show
Here's your ultimate checklist for Christmas light shows. Don't forget these essentials if you're heading out this November and December.
Warm coat
The temperature can drop a lot after dark, so you'll be grateful for a long, warm coat. We recommend a padded or puffer coat, like this cosy women's option from Marmot. It's also waterproof, so you'll be safe in a sudden downpour.
See our other favourite warm coats and showerproof jackets.
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Wellies
Although you might be sticking to paths, there's always the chance you'll get muddy, especially if lots of people are walking along the same route. These festive red Hunters are the perfect choice for Christmas walks, but they come in lots of other colours too.
Browse other great wellies we recommend.
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Flask
If your chosen Christmas lights show doesn't offer refreshments, or if you fancy having a warming beverage to sip on as you go round, you'll want a decent flask.
This Thermos travel tumbler is a classic choice. It's leak-proof and insulated to keep drinks hot for hours. Sip straight from the flask as you enjoy the festive lights.
Find more of the best insulated flasks on the market.
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Hot chocolate
Treat yourself to a luxurious hot chocolate to enjoy as you take in the Christmas lights. Lindt and Green & Black's are two of our particular favourites.
Wool or cashmere socks
A good pair of socks is a must if you want to avoid chilly feet during the evening. These ones from Sarah Raven are made with 80% Irish wool in a range of festive colours including burgundy and teal.
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Find other high-quality winter clothing items at these shops:
- Crew Clothing for jumpers and jackets
- Fat Face for cosy clothing
- Finisterre for padded coats
- House of Bruar for high-quality outerwear
- Outdoor and Country for branded items
- Seasalt for jumpers and winter coats
- Uniqlo for cashmere and down coats
And if the thought of Christmas light festivals has reminded you about your impending Christmas shopping list, be sure to take a look at our huge list of top gardening gift ideas for inspiration.