Christmas At Kew

Experience a world of winter magic in Kew Gardens as the acclaimed light trail, Christmas at Kew, returns this festive season. Christmas at Kew is an unmissable opportunity to herald the start of the festive season or welcome in the New Year with family and friends. The new 2025 trail promises to be as magical as ever. Don’t miss spectacular new creations from world-wide artists presented uniquely for the first time in the UK. These larger-than-life illuminations are always unforgettable and to make it even more memorable, glimpse Father Christmas along the way.

 

Enjoy delicious street food with festive delights ranging from hot dishes and sweet treats to spiced winter warmers and hot chocolate along the trail and in the food court by the Temperate House.

 

Enjoy a holly, jolly Christmas at Kew under the stars!

 

Christmas at Kew is a walk through light trail, therefore all Glasshouses will be closed.

How long is the Christmas at Kew trail?

This years’ Christmas at Kew trail is 3km long and can take more than 2 hours to walk around, whilst stopping for refreshments and seeing all the attractions like Father Christmas, visiting the fairground, toasting marshmallows and taking photos. 

Christmas at Kew is presented in the natural landscape, and while the route is on pathways, the terrain can vary in different areas of the Gardens. Whilst every effort is made to make the trail fully accessible, by its very nature it will cover some difficult terrain with a number of varying gradients. These areas may be challenging during wet weather.

If you or any members of your group are encountering any difficulties, please alert one of our friendly stewards who will do their best to help you, and who can offer possible shortcuts to the exit.

 

Is there food and drink at Christmas as Kew?

There’s plenty of festive feasting on offer at Christmas at Kew, with onsite cafes, restaurants, street food vendors and more. Please note, we are operating cashless across our catering units at Christmas at Kew.

 

Onsite cafes and restaurants

Stop in at Victoria Plaza for a winter warmer or some flavourful food.

 

Festive street food and drinks

There will be a variety of festive treats from our independent street food vendors for you to indulge in. They’ll be offering hot food, sweet treats, spiced winter warmers, hot chocolate and more.

 

Pavilion Bar & Grill - walk-in

This year we have changed the Christmas at Kew trail to take into consideration the works about to begin on the Palm House.  Therefore, the Botanical Brasserie will not be serving a Christmas meal this year. 

However, the Pavilion Bar & Grill will be open for walk-ins and will feature a lovely festive menu.

 

What to bring and wear

There are no covered areas on the Christmas at Kew trail and the paths can get wet so please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather.

The trail is lit, but lighting will be low level in some areas so you may wish to bring a torch. No naked flames (e.g. candles, night lights, flares or lanterns) are allowed.

 

Photography

Please feel free to take photos along the trail but do be aware of others. If you are on social media we would love to see your pictures, so please tag @kewgardens when you post and follow us to see more photography of Christmas at Kew and all our events. Tripods are not permitted on the trail.

We occasionally use photographs taken at Christmas at Kew for promotional purposes, please talk to a member of staff if you would not like photographs to be used in this way.

 

Are there toilets on the Christmas at Kew trail?

There are toilets available at the Victoria Plaza and Brentford Gate and along the trail. Accessible toilets (including a Changing Places toilet) are also available at Brentford Gate/and along the trail. 

 

Wheelchairs and mobility scooters

Wheelchairs are available to borrow on a first come first served basis, these cannot be reserved. We do not permit use of Kew mobility scooters on the trail but visitors are welcome to use their own.

 

PICK UP ROUTE: G