BEST CHRISTMAS LIGHT TRAILS

The Top Light Shows and Trails of 2025

It's time to ignite your Christmas spirit with our illuminating guide to the best light trails and shows of 2025.

From magical LED drone experiences, to kaleidoscopic light trails, brand new illuminated experiences and immersive, twinkly Christmas adventures in or near London - it's all here.

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Best Christmas Light Shows & Trails

Christmas at Kew

The most festive botanical event this side of the moon kicks off on 14 November, with Kew’s annual light behemoth. Discover glittering tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections and trees drenched in jewel-like colours. Warm up with flickering flames in the fire garden, wander beneath larger-than-life illuminations and keep your eyes peeled for Father Christmas along the way. Kew Gardens has four entrance gates: Victoria Gate (TW9 3JR) Elizabeth Gate (TW9 3AB) Brentford Gate (TW9 3AF) 14 November - 4 January. From £27.50 per adult. £18 per child. Children under 4 go free

Port Lympne Illuminated

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve’s inaugural winter light trail launches this November 2025.

Port Lympne Illuminated will see the park’s 600-acre landscape transformed into a kaleidoscopic journey through illuminated portals, into a magical wolrld, guided by holofan fairies and dazzling 3D projections.

A high-energy disco in the Orangery will pulse with synchronized light and sound, while immersive snow scenes create a winter wonderland. Hyper-realistic holographic tigers will prowl, and guests can also enjoy seasonal food and drink, a fairground, and light tunnels.

Port Lympne Illuminated Tickets. Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Aldington Rd, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LR. 28 November 2025 - 3 January 2026

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Drone Light Show

The UK skies will be illuminated by more than 600 LED drones choreographed to a cinematic score, bringing Christmas classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to life at four UK locations.

Royal Victoria Park Bath, South of England Showground, Copthall Fields London and Royal Windsor Racecourse will host the aerial spectacular, produced by Lumina Drones, the innovators behind the hit Space Safari drone light series. The dog-friendly event will also have a grotto, fairground rides, street food and face painting.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Drone Light Show. Bath, West Sussex, London, Windsor.

Longleat Festival of Light

Say CHEESE at the ultimate illuminated adventure, featuring Wallace and Gromit themselves.

This year’s Festival of Light is brimming with Aardman favourites, reimagined in baa-rilliant lantern form, including Shaun the Sheep and friends.

There’s also an Aardman Cinema and workshop, an Enchanted Christmas Tree show, Boat Safari to meet hippos, gorillas and sea lions, plus an Adventure Castle and the UK’s biggest maze. A-mazing.

Longleat, Warminster BA12 7JS. Until 11 January 2026. Tickets from £34.95 pp

Christmas at Blenheim Palace

This year’s Illuminated Trail is bigger, better and brighter than ever.

Begin in the atmospheric, twinkling Water Terraces and head through the stunning Cathedral of Light. Dance your way along the rainbow LED tunnel and onto the candlelit Fire Garden. Marvel at the stunning Sea of Light whilst enjoying a delicious hot chocolate or toasted marshmallows, then take in the spectacular Water Fountain Show complete with brand new, festive projections across the lake. Journey on past the Alpine Village, multi-coloured trees and Candy Cane Lane before reaching Father Christmas himself in a festive flurry of snow.

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock OX20 1PS. Until 3 January 2026. Tickets from

Tulleys Christmas Light Festival

This winter light behemoth returns in November with 10 immersive attractions featuring breathtaking effects, including the dazzling Enchanted Forest and Luminaire light show. Enjoy live music in the Ski Lodge Bar, meet the festive roaming characters and warm up with mulled wine from one of the three festive bars. There is also seasonal street food, marshmallow toasting, a handcrafted Christmas market, and a 33-meter observation wheel lighting up the night.

Tulley’s Christmas Light Festival, Turners Hill Road, Turners Hill, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4PD. 28 November 2025 - 3 January 2026.

RHS Glow at Wisley

Step into an enchanted garden which comes alive with colour and lights, at the return of these banging Christmas illuminations.

The stunning trail includes 300 glowing poppies, glittering tunnels, a forest of fairy bell trees and the fire and fountains finale at Jellico Canal, alongside seasonal treats like marshmallow toasting pits.

RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley Ln, Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB. Until 4 January. Tickets from £10.45/adult, £5.25/child.

Chelsea Winter Village and Illuminations

One of London’s most iconic heritage settings hosts this gorgeous 1.5k light trail, complete with large scale art, interactive installations and soundscapes.

Continue the festivities in the free Chelsea Winter Village, with a Christmas market, festive bars, workshops, marshmallow fire pits,  bandstand with live performances and traditional fairground rides, street food and curdling club.

Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4SR. Until 28 December. Tickets from £15/adult, £5/child.

Christmas at Leeds Castle

Read our review

Leeds Castle has turned its Christmas dial up to 11 with its stunning light trail through its magnificent, 550-acre estate, blazing and twinkling with festive magic.

We headed to its launch, where we discovered gingerbread men and fireworks exploding across the castle walls; winding paths of flaming flowers, shimmering in the water; sparkling tunnels, a field of light which dances to Christmas music; giant colour-changing lilies illuminating the lake and an otherworldly, lit waterfall.

There were sparkling gingerbread men, leaping from trees; smoke and lasers that our children danced through; UV, neon bridges and giant Nutcrackers. The experience closes with marshmallow toasting around a fire pit, before a surprise meeting with Father Christmas himself.

Christmas at Leeds Castle, Leeds Castle, Broomfield, Maidstone ME17 1PL. 21 November to 31 December. Included with admission ticket, which also gives you access to Leeds Castle for a year.

Light Up Trails - Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

From first footsteps under twinkling trees to final festive sparkles, this multi-award-winning Christmas light trail transforms the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens into a world of magic, music and wonder. This year, the event launches a reimagined trail with a series of immersive themed zones, each designed in partnership with world-class artists to tell a story through light, sound and atmosphere.

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Jermyns Ln, Romsey SO51 0QA. 27 Nov - 3 Jan

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