10 Best Christmas Light Trails
The festive season is just around the corner, and it’s time to start thinking about Christmas activities that the whole family will enjoy. One of our favourite ways to spend time outside is by visiting a light trail.
In the UK we’re spoilt for choice, with incredible trails taking place all over the country, creating magical memories for children and grown-ups of all ages. Read on for our round up of the best Christmas light trails the UK has to offer.
1) Christmas at Kew, London
When: 13th November 2026 – 3rd January 2027
How much: adults from £25.50, children from £18
Enjoy the annual after-dark festivities at Kew Gardens with family and friends, as you discover sparkling tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections, and trees drenched in jewel-like colour. Journey through the mesmerising flickering flames in the fire garden, spot larger-than-life illuminations and say hello to Father Christmas along the way.
2) Windsor Great Park Illuminated, Windsor
When: 13th November 2026 – 3rd January 2027
How much: adults from £19.80, children from £12.10
Opening on Friday 13th November, this very special light trail returns to light up the festive season brighter, better and more dazzling than ever with a brand new trail design and spectacularly re-imagined installations. Windsor Great Park Illuminated promises to be the perfect evening out where long-lasting festive memories will be made.
3) Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
When: 13th November 2026 – 3rd January 2027
How much: adults from £29, children from £21
Firmly positioned as one of the highlights of the UK festive calendar, wander the Palace’s picture-perfect gardens filled with Christmas cheer as over a million lights and seasonal sounds fill the air. Look forward to some time together with family and friends as you discover glittering tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections and trees drenched in jewel-like colour.
4) RHS Glow at Wisley, Surrey
When: 20th November 2026 – 3rd January 2027
How much: adults from £7.50, children from £6
Wander our new enchanting trail around the garden and see some of Wisley’s iconic sights in a new and dazzling light. Go past the Jellicoe Canal and old Laboratory, through Wisteria Walk and the Glasshouse, and experience a magical spectacle of lights with music and fire to add to the drama. This year, the garden will glow even brighter with more light, fire and fountain displays than ever before.
5) Longleat Festival of Light, Wiltshire
When: 7th November 2026 – 10th January 2027
How much: adults from £34.95, children from £26.20
Embark on an extraordinary adventure this Christmas as The Festival of Light presents Legendary Worlds. Enter a glowing world of myths, heroes and legendary tales, with an immersive, after-dark trail with over 1,000 lanterns across the Park. Immerse yourself in the lost city of Atlantis, walk underneath a life-sized blue whale and through an underwater wonderland. Marvel at heroes of mythology in action – including Thor’s battle with the World Serpent. Explore epic lands of giants, dragons and magical creatures and more!
6) Christmas at The Botanics, Edinburgh
When: 19th November - 30th December 2026
How much: adults from £19.50, children from £14.50
Firmly established as unmissable within Scotland’s winter calendar, over a million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds will fill the air with festive fun at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Look forward to some time together with friends and family as you discover sparkling tunnels of light and dancing lakeside reflections, then walk under giant baubles and beneath glistening trees drenched in jewel-like colour.
7) Sandringham Estate Winter Light Trail, Norfolk
When: 21st November – 24th December 2026
How much: adults from £26.95, children from £18.05
Nestled deep within Sandringham Estate, awaits a spectacular, illuminated trail, full of wonder and intrigue, to delight and enthral your senses. As darkness descends, join us on our enchanting journey, as we weave a captivating light trail through the Royal Parkland at Sandringham. Immerse yourself in our mesmerising mile long trail, with stunning lighting elements and fabulous light play, all set to ambient music.
8) Glow Marwell, Hampshire
When: 20th November – 30th December 2026
How much: adults from £24.95, children from £21.95
This Christmas, discover a whole new festive adventure at Marwell. Experience Fire & Ice – our spectacular new immersive evening where fire blazes, ice shimmers and nature’s winter stories come to life. Alongside seasonal activities across the zoo and magical moments with Santa in his grotto, there’s more to enjoy than ever before. Whether you join us for the day, the evening or both, prepare to play, feast and explore your way through an unforgettable Christmas at Marwell.
9) Winter Lights at The Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei, Northumberland
When: 20th November 2026 – 3rd January 2027
How much: adults from £18.15, children from £11
The North East's favourite Winter Lights are back again this year. Not only can you see the light trail in The Alnwick Garden, an immersive experience of light and sound with installations, you can also see the lights around Lilidorei. See The Garden and Lilidorei like never before and experience the perfect winter tradition this Christmas.
10) Christmas at Bute Park, Cardiff
When: 19th November – 31st December 2026
How much: adults from £18.75, children from £13.75
Take a mile long stroll through an enchanted world of illumination, uniquely crafted by world leading lighting designers. Enjoy 15 different light zones, a truly mesmerising journey in the shadow of the historic Cardiff Castle, around the picturesque Bute Park. To top it all off – we have our Christmas Village full of cracking local food, delicious drinks and plenty of festive cheer!
11) Port Lympne Illuminated, Kent
When: 27th November 2026 – 2nd January 2027
How much: adults from £21.82, children from £13.63
Step into the secret after-dark world of Port Lympne and discover a bigger, brighter and more magical than ever event. Building on their animal theme, the 2026 trail will introduce brand-new installations featuring new species, bringing fresh stories and visual spectacles to the experience. Guests can also look forward to a brand-new zone, extending the journey further, a reimagined Elf Disco and a truly exhilarating grand finale, designed to leave visitors with a lasting sense of wonder.
12) Lap of Lights at Silverstone, Northamptonshire
When: 11th - 31st December 2026
How much: from £60 per vehicle
Drive the legendary Silverstone circuit after dark, transformed with lights, lasers and more. An unmissable, one-of-a-kind festive experience at the home of British motorsport. One of the world's longest Christmas light shows, experience the magic as you're transported through a mesmerising journey of light and sound.
13) Northern Lights, Manchester
When: 19th November 2026 - 31st December 2026
How much: adults and children from £12
After welcoming more than 100,000 visitors in its debut season, Northern Lights will return to Heaton Park this winter with A Christmas Time Machine, an all-new festive experience inspired by the moments, traditions and memories that make this time of the year magical across the generations. Guests can expect a new journey featuring 14 original installations, interactive zones, selfie spots and a marshmallow zone through a nostalgic trail that looks back at some of the nation’s most beloved Christmas presents and festive moments, such as Candy Cane Lane, a giant neon slinky and shimmering nutcrackers. Alongside this, vintage fairground rides, cosy festive pit stops and an expanded Christmas Village will showcase artisan food and drink producers from across the region.
