18 November 2024
Plan the perfect evening at Christmas at Kew
Immerse yourself in the magic of Christmas at Kew with an enchanting evening featuring brand new light installations, tasty food and drink, a family fairground, Christmas gift shopping and more.
Christmas at Kew is back for 2024!
Our iconic Christmas at Kew light trail has returned for the festive season, offering a captivating 3km illuminated journey through Kew Gardens at night. Experience the wonder of nature at night and enjoy an evening of winter fun.
Discover new light installations
This year’s Christmas at Kew trail covers over 3km of the gardens and features eight dazzling new installations, including:
- Threshold: wonder at a giant wave of light, pulsing with celestial radiance. A path wraps around this beautiful installation and when viewed from different angles it could almost be angel wings. The perfect spot to capture a memorable photo or two.
- Fish are Jumping: cross the serene lake and find a moment of calm as gentle classical music fills the air. If you take a moment to gaze to the left, you might see golden fish leaping from the water in shimmering arcs.
- Snowflake Walk: step into a winter wonderland on the Great Broad Walk as snowflakes drift and move with your steps. Linger for a while and play in the snow; it’s sure to help you get in the festive spirit.
Don’t miss these and other awe-inspiring installations throughout the trail.
Visit Christmas at Kew’s most beloved attractions
Christmas at Kew wouldn’t be the same without our iconic installations, and they’re back this year for your enjoyment:
- The Sea of Light at the Temperate House: voyage through waves of light cascading in striking swirls, moving in rhythm with wonderous music. Watch as the swells circle the trees and climb high into their branches - a true spectacle to witness.
- The Christmas Cathedral: wonder at thousands of twinkling fairy lights, in this Christmas at Kew favourite. It’s the perfect place for an Instagrammable selfie!
- The Palm House finale: marvel at Kew’s iconic Palm House and lake, which are illuminated in an incredible finale display with the biggest light, water and musical spectacular in the UK - the perfect way to end your Christmas at Kew trail.
There are plenty of other great photo opportunities at Christmas at Kew like the flickering flames of the fire garden and many other magical feasts for the eye (and lens).
Eat and Drink at Christmas at Kew
No outing would be complete without a tasty treat or two, and if you’re looking for a spot of dinner at Christmas at Kew, you’ll find lots of delicious options along the trail:
Onsite cafes and restaurants
Pick up some pigs in blankets or an espresso martini with a giant, freshly toasted marshmallow at Victoria Plaza Cafe or pop over to the Family Kitchen for a festive pizza.
Festive street food
Savour delicious dishes from our independent street food vendors at Victoria Plaza or halfway round the Christmas trail at KERB Food Village. They’ll be serving a variety of delicious savoury dishes from indulgent mac and cheese to crispy fried chicken, toasties, juicy burgers and much more.
If you’re in the mood for something sweet, stop off for some churros, or get even more into the festive spirit by gathering round a fire to toast marshmallows.
Drinks and winter warmers
Pause at one of the bars dotted around the trail for an indulgent hot chocolate or festive tipple, from mulled wine and spiced cider to premium cocktails.
Christmas dinner at the Botanical Brasserie
Elevate your evening at Christmas at Kew, with a three-course Christmas dinner at our Botanical Brasserie overlooking the stunning Palm House Pond, hosting the trail’s spectacular light show finale
You’ll start your meal with a welcome drink followed by a delicious menu filled with festive favourites.
Adults
Arrival drink
Mulled wine
Starters
Pumpkin velouté, wild mushrooms, hazelnuts, toasted pumpkin seeds (VG)
OR
House cured salmon, horseradish, compressed apple, pickled cucumber
OR
Free range chicken terrine, golden raisin & caper purée, warm toast
Mains
Roasted cauliflower, red pepper, cauliflower puree, crisply polenta, herb oil (VG)
OR
Norfolk turkey, chestnut sprouts, roast carrots, glazed parsnips, duck fat roast potatoes
OR
Roasted sea bass, creamed leeks, crushed new potatoes, beurre blanc sauce
Desserts
Spiced apple & blackberry crumble, vanilla ice cream (VG)
OR
Chocolate & clementine torte
OR
Traditional Christmas pudding, brandy cream
Children
On arrival
The Grinch green punch
Starters
Mac and cheese
OR
Cream of tomato soup, fresh basil
Mains
Norfolk turkey, glazed carrots, roast potatoes
OR
Fish and chips, fresh peas
Dessert
Chocolate and clementine tart
OR
Selection of ice cream from Hackney Gelato
Prices:
Adult 3 course dinner: £48.50
Child 3 course dinner: £18.50
There are four sittings available: 5pm, 6:30pm, 7pm and 8pm, so you can enjoy a delicious 3 course meal before or after your visit to the trail.
To book your Botanical Brasserie Christmas Dinner, select Victoria Gate when booking tickets and you’ll be able to select your time. The option to book the Botanical Brasserie Christmas dinner is not available when selecting Brentford or Elizabeth Gates. Booking is essential.
Stop off at the family fairground
As you walk around the Temperate House, you’ll spot Father Christmas busily getting ready for the festive season and not far behind him you’ll see our family fairground.
Indulge in some festive fun with rides for everyone, whether young or just young at heart. Swirl your way down the helter-skelter or take a turn on the carousel and make some fantastic festive memories (please note that some rides are child-friendly only and cannot accommodate an adult accompanying the child).
You’ll need tokens for the rides. They’re available to buy on the night for £3.50 or you can save money by pre-booking them to collect on the night and getting 6 tokens for £18. Each token allows for one ride. If you pre-book tokens, simply present your fairground voucher to the token booth at the fairground to redeem them.
Please note that the fairground tokens do not include entry to the Christmas at Kew trail and a separate ticket is required. Fairground tokens are only available for guests who already have Christmas at Kew tickets.
.jpg9ce7.webp "Christmas at Kew fairground © Ollie Dixon")
Shop for gifts at Christmas at Kew
Tick some gifts off your list or treat yourself to a beautiful memento from the Gardens. Visit our Victoria Plaza shop at the start or the end of your trail (open 4:20pm to 9:30pm) and browse our range of gifts and Kew Christmas items, including Christmas decorations to books, toys, jewellery, homewares and much more.
Kew is a charity, and every purchase helps to support our vital work in conservation and biodiversity around the world.
If you don’t make it to the shop, you can browse and buy online. If you’ve already visited Christmas at Kew this year, keep an eye out for an email after your visit with a special discount for our online shop.
Embrace nature’s beauty at Christmas at Kew
The Gardens are the real star of Christmas at Kew. Discover the striking forms of some of our 12,000 trees and other botanical treasures, illuminated in vibrant colours and seasonal sparkle.
While you wander, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature and the importance of plants in all our lives.
Want more Christmas cheer?
If you want to keep the festive spirit alive, don’t forget to save our specially curated Spotify tracklists.
The Christmas at Kew pop megamix has all the hits from our spectacular Palm House Finale show, and Christmas at Kew 2024 has the best tracks from around the trail.
Relive the wonder and let the festive feelings linger a little longer with these perfect playlists.
.png7941.webp "Wreath making © RBG Kew")
