Marcelo OliveiraChristmas at Kew 2026 takes place on selected dates from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 at Kew Gardens in London. It’s a 3 km light trail with timed entry between 4:20 pm and 7:40 pm. Adult tickets cost £29.50 to £37 and must be booked in advance.
The most convenient station is Kew Gardens, served by the District Line and the London Overground, about 500 m from the Victoria Gate. Since you’ll be heading back at night in the cold, it’s worth staying in Richmond or in an area well connected to the District Line. Below you’ll find the cheapest dates, which gate to choose and what to wear.
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| Event | Christmas at Kew (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) |
|---|---|
| Dates | Selected dates from 13/11/2026 to 03/01/2027 |
| Times | Entry from 4:20 pm to 7:40 pm; gardens close at 10 pm |
| Location | Kew Gardens, Richmond, London TW9 3AE |
| Trail | 3 km, more than 2 hours with stops |
| Tickets | Adult £29.50 to £37; child (4-15) £20 to £24 (Oct/2026) — official guide |
| Tube | Kew Gardens (District Line and Overground) |
In this article · 9 topics
What Christmas at Kew is
Christmas at Kew is the Christmas light trail at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the botanical garden in Richmond, southwest London, listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. For a few weeks, the gardens open at night with a 3 km illuminated route among century-old trees, glasshouses and lakes, featuring light installations that change with every edition.
The walk is done on foot and at your own pace: the official website estimates more than two hours with photo stops. Along the way there’s street food, a traditional funfair, hot chocolate, mulled wine and marshmallows to toast. The stalls and cafés don’t accept cash, card only. It’s one of London’s most in-demand Christmas events, which is why it runs with limited capacity and timed entry.
There are also special sessions: adults-only nights on 3 and 9 December and the quieter Quiet Access sessions for people with hidden disabilities such as autism, on 21 November and 1, 16 and 26 December.
Tickets and prices
Tickets are sold online through Kew’s official partner, Fever, and the website warns that booking in advance is essential: don’t count on getting tickets at the door. The prices below (Oct/2026) already include the £1 booking fee. The quieter (off-peak) dates are 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 and 30 November and 1 and 2 December; the rest of the calendar is peak.
| Ticket | Off-peak | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £29.50 (Oct/2026) | £37 (Oct/2026) |
| Child (4 to 15 years) | £20 (Oct/2026) | £24 (Oct/2026) |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children) | £89 (Oct/2026) | £108 (Oct/2026) |
| Under 4 | free (ticket required) | free (ticket required) |
There’s also the Anytime ticket, which lets you enter at any time between 4:20 pm and 7:40 pm on your chosen night (£61 adult, £41 child, Oct/2026), handy if you don’t know what time you’ll finish another outing. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, so confirm the date before paying. The trail ticket doesn’t include daytime admission to the gardens: you can add the daytime upgrade for £12 (adult) at checkout.
Buy tickets on the official Kew website
Times, sessions and gates
Each ticket has an entry time and a gate. Times run from 4:20 pm to 7:40 pm, and the last entry changes depending on the gate: 7 pm at Brentford Gate, 7:20 pm at Elizabeth Gate and 8 pm at Victoria Gate. The gardens close at 10 pm. On Christmas Eve (24/12) everything wraps up earlier, with the event ending at 9 pm.
For those arriving by Tube, Victoria Gate is the natural choice: it’s the closest to Kew Gardens station and has an accessible toilet. If you’re coming by train to Kew Bridge, you’ll be closer to Elizabeth Gate. The earliest slots tend to be a favorite with families with small children; after 7 pm the trail takes on a more grown-up vibe.
How to get to Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens station is on the Richmond branch of the District Line (green) and is also served by the London Overground, about 500 m from Victoria Gate. From central London (Westminster, Embankment or South Kensington), the District Line takes you there directly, with no changes, as long as the train is bound for Richmond. The westbound platform has no step-free access; if you need it, ride to Richmond and come back on the opposite platform.
Other options: Kew Bridge station (South Western Railway trains from Waterloo) is about 800 m from Elizabeth Gate; buses 65 and 110 stop near Elizabeth Gate. By car, parking is only worth it with a reservation booked alongside your ticket (£15 at Brentford Gate, Oct/2026), and stopping on Kew Road is prohibited. Before you set off, check the TfL app for planned line closures, which are common on weekends.
On the way back, trains leave packed right after 9 pm, when most sessions end. If you’re not in a hurry, the queue at the station eases off within half an hour.
Cold, clothing and what to bring
In November and December, nights in London often hover around zero to just a few degrees, with frequent drizzle. The trail has no covered areas and the paths get wet, so go with a waterproof coat, hat, gloves and trainers or boots that can handle mud. Since you’ll be walking for more than two hours, layers work better than one very heavy coat.
Kew recommends bringing a torch, because some sections are dark. Candles, flame lanterns and tripods are prohibited. Bikes and scooters stay at the gates; strollers are allowed. Dogs, only assistance dogs.
What to do in London the same day
Since the trail only opens at 4:20 pm, you can make the most of the morning and afternoon. A good start is the Free London walking tour — Civitatis, which passes through Westminster and the landmarks of central London, just a few stops away on the District Line.
If you want to get out of the city, the Windsor Castle tour — Civitatis gets back in the mid-afternoon, in time to catch the Tube to Kew. If it’s your first time, plan your other days with the complete 5-day London itinerary.
See activities in London on GetYourGuide ›
Where to stay
Richmond is the most convenient base: it’s one stop from the gardens, has pubs and restaurants for dinner after the trail and is still served by the District Line for trips into central London. If you’d rather stay near the museums and shops, you can pick hotels in South Kensington, on the same line, about 35 minutes from Kew. Avoiding hotels near King’s Cross or in east London saves you a change on the way back at night.
Flights to London climb a lot in December; it’s worth comparing dates with the flight search to London on FlipMilhas and sorting out travel insurance for the UK, since British public healthcare charges tourists.
HotelAs soon as you have datesCompare neighbourhoods and guest ratings.Booking ›- More activitiesTo compareTickets, day trips and tours with flexible cancellation.GetYourGuide ›
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Christmas at Kew 2026 ticket cost?
Adult tickets cost £29.50 on off-peak dates and £37 on peak dates; children aged 4 to 15 pay £20 or £24, and under-4s get in free but still need a ticket. Prices include the £1 fee and are sold online only (Oct/2026).
What are the dates for Christmas at Kew 2026?
The event runs on selected dates from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with entry from 4:20 pm to 7:40 pm. The cheapest dates are 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 and 30 November and 1 and 2 December.
How do I get to Christmas at Kew by Tube?
Take the District Line towards Richmond or the London Overground to Kew Gardens station, about 500 m from Victoria Gate. Another option is the South Western Railway train from Waterloo to Kew Bridge, near Elizabeth Gate.
Can I buy tickets at the door?
Don’t count on it. Kew states that booking in advance is essential, because capacity is limited and every ticket has a set time and gate.
Is it worth it?
If you’re in London between mid-November and early January, Christmas at Kew is one of the city’s most beautiful Christmas nighttime events. Book ahead, go for the off-peak November dates, choose Victoria Gate if you’re arriving by Tube and dress warmly for two hours outdoors.