Calendar of events 2019

This year, RBG Kew marks its 260^th birthday, which will be celebrated with the opening of several new spaces for visitors to enjoy at both Kew and Wakehurst, as well as new scientific research publications and the appointment of a new Director of Science.

The first of the new spaces to be officially opened this year is the Winter Garden at Wakehurst, a beautiful and contemporary space to lift your spirits on a cold winter’s day.

The second new space to open is our brand new Children’s Garden, which will open its gates to the public for the first time in May, inviting young learners to discover plant science and develop their love of nature and the outdoors. At 10,000m², it covers the size of nearly 40 tennis courts, and has been designed by remarkable Kew garden designer, Suzie Jewel, around the essential elements needed for plants to grow and thrive: earth, air, sun and water.

The Agius Evolution Garden, located in our current ‘Order beds’, will also be completed in the summer, and represents a major new piece of design that will bring to life the fascinating story of plant evolution on earth. It is emblematic of a significant priority for RBG Kew – weaving together science and conservation more richly and intelligently throughout our visitor experience.

Festival wise, it’s another bumper year, kicking off with our 24^th orchid festival, which for the first time will celebrate the vibrant culture and wildlife of Colombia. Visitors can expect dazzling orchid displays, Colombian music, carnival crafts, dance, street food, and more. It’ll be a sure-fire way to escape the winter blues!

A six-month-long visual treat will launch at Easter, in the form of world-renowned American glass artist, Dale Chihuly, who has chosen Kew Gardens to showcase his luminous and utterly stow-stopping artworks in Chihuly at Kew from April. In his first exhibition in Europe in 10 years, 32 installations will sit in the Kew landscape, transforming it into a contemporary outdoor gallery space like no other.

Kew Ambassadors

Going into 2019, we have some exciting new ambassadors on board. Actor, Dame Judi Dench, conservationist and founder of the British Wildlife Centre, David Mills MBE, and television presenter and writer, Konnie Huq join Kim Cattrall, James Wong and Andrés Rozental in supporting the work and mission of RBG Kew.

Kew’s new Director of Science, Professor Alex Antonelli, will start in February and take up the delivery of the Science Strategy through to 2020, and will be designing the vision for Kew’s Science beyond.

2019 at RBG Kew

January

16 January (embargoed until 7pm GMT)

Findings of IUCN Red List extinction assessment for all species of coffee published - For the first time ever, scientists at Kew have carried out an IUCN Red List extinction assessment for all 124 coffee species. The implications of these findings paint a picture of concern for the long-term future of global coffee production.

23 January

Winter Garden opens at Wakehurst - Wakehurst’s new horticultural spectacle is full of sensory delight and the perfect place to lift the spirits on a cold winter’s day. Designed by Wakehurst Garden Supervisor Francis Annette, it weaves 33,000 plants into a bold contemporary composition.

February

4 February

New Director of Science starts – Among his many achievements, Prof. Alex Antonelli has participated in over 20 botanical expeditions to numerous countries in Latin America and Africa, and has authored over 115 publications. We look forward to welcoming him to Kew.

9 February – 10 March

(Press day 7 February)

Orchid festival opens to the public - Visitors can expect a ‘carnival of animals’, a dazzling display of hundreds of colourful butterflies, and a showcase of some of Kew’s vital science work in Colombia to protect its incredible biodiversity.

14 February – 8 March

Orchids After Hours - Latin big band and tropical fusion music will raise the roof as guests sample Colombian crafts, dance, street food, coffee and cocktails.

16 – 24 February

Orchids half term programme – Themed on La Batalla de Flores (Battle of the Flowers), visitors can expect carnival workshops and parades for all the family.

9 February – 10 March

(Press day 8 February)

International Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition opens to the public – Visitors can admire exquisite photos submitted as part of the competition, beautifully displayed at Kew.

March

26 March

Mary Robinson lecture for Kew International Medal (invite only) - A world-leading advocate for environmental and human rights, Chair of The Elders, and the first female President of Ireland, Mary will receive the Medal awarded to individuals for distinguished, internationally-recognised work aligned with RBG Kew’s mission.

8 March

Surviving or Thriving - an exhibition on plants and us’ opens at Wakehurst - We rely on plants for oxygen, food, medicines, fuel, clothes and more, as well as enjoying their beauty. Our scientists have been investigating the state of the world’s plants, and here they share what they’ve found.

April

6-23 April

Easter family programme - During the Easter holidays, families can explore the colour spectrum and find out what it means to plants. They will be invited to make beaded pendants to add to a new temporary structure and will be able to watch it become more colourful as the Easter holidays go on.

6-22 April

Horrible Science at Wakehurst - Fascinating and fun drop-in activities for all ages inspired by the bestselling Horrible Science books. Visitors can journey through the Horrible Science Botanists’ Hall of Fame to hunt for items and receive a chocolate Easter egg at the end.

13 April – 27 October (Press Day 11 April)

Chihuly at Kew opens to the public – The body of work curated for Chihuly at Kew demonstrates the evolution of the artist’s career over 50 years. Installations will respond to Kew’s architectural and horticultural glory, with 32 artworks in 13 locations including glasshouses, vistas, and galleries. The majority of these artworks have never been seen in the UK.

13 April – 27 October

‘Exotica’ in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art - In this new exhibition visitors can find exquisite paintings of curious plants. Species include gingers, banana passion flowers, jade vines and waterlilies - including the smallest waterlily in the world from Rwanda, now extinct in the wild.

May

18 May

(Press day 16 May)

Children’s Garden opens to the public - Features of this ambitions design include an aerial walkway 4m above the ground, a giant sand pit, pollen spheres, hammocks, trampolines, water pumps, and Water lily stepping stones.

25 – 26 May

Wakehurst Science Festival – Returning once again, the Festival will bring Kew Science out of the labs and into the Garden over the bank holiday weekend. The festival will be full of engaging and interactive content for all ages.

28 May – 1 June

7th International Orchid Conservation Congress – Discussing the role of the next generation of orchid scientists/conservationists, and new techniques.

July

9 – 14 July

Kew the Music – The popular summer festival is back again for six nights of fantastic musical talent set against the unique backdrop of Kew Gardens. Headlining this year are Jess Glynne, Garbage, Rick Astley, Beverly Knight & Billy Ocean, Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, and Craig David.

Date TBC

Opening of the Agius Evolution Garden and Kew’s 260^th anniversary – The Garden is a major redesign of the Order Beds that will bring to life the fascinating story of plant evolution on earth. It is emblematic of a significant priority for RBG Kew – weaving together science and conservation more richly and intelligently throughout our visitor experience.

20 -21 July

Kew Science Festival – The Science Festival will return to Kew this summer, with plenty of demonstrations and experiments to fascinate the whole family. Visitors can discover what goes on inside Kew’s labs while donning their very own lab coat and goggles.

August

15 August - 26 October

Chihuly Nights - Kew will offer Chihuly enthusiasts a truly special opportunity to see the artwork in an entirely different light, through an exclusive night-time experience. Fabulous food, drink, and music will make this an unforgettable evening.

September

14 -15 September

Richmond Running Festival – Racers of all ages will take over Kew Gardens for the annual Richmond RunFest, competing in races ranging from a kids’ run to a marathon.

21 - 22 September 2019

Open House London: Kew’s School of Horticulture opens its doors to the public, for a rare opportunity to see inside the former Museum of Economic Botany. Historic objects and current student projects will be on show, with Kew researchers and horticulture students on hand to talk about their work.

November

16 November – 15 March 2020

Thirty Years of Botanical Art: the Shirley Sherwood Collection exhibition opens to the public. The exhibition will focus on different geographical areas of the world showcasing some of the leading botanical artists of the last 30 years.

Mid November – mid December

Glow Wild – Following a sell-out season in 2018, Wakehurst’s Christmas festival will illuminate the garden, mansion and woodland once more with the glow of hundreds of lanterns and fire shows.

Mid November – early January 2020

Christmas at Kew – The festive favourite will return to Kew for another wintertime extravaganza more twinkling than ever. Visitors can marvel at new light installations while staying snug with mulled wine and mince pies.

 

Ends

For more information on any of the above events or to request access to the Kew Image gallery https://press.kew.org/p/press -please contact the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Press Office on 020 8332 5607 or email pr@kew.org

Notes to Editors

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding collections as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. Kew Gardens is a major international and a top London visitor attraction. Kew’s 132 hectares of landscaped gardens, and Wakehurst, Kew’s Wild Botanic Garden, attract over 2.1 million visits every year. Kew was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and celebrates its 260^th anniversary in 2019. Wakehurst is home to Kew's Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild plant seed bank in the world. Kew receives approximately one third of its funding from Government through the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and research councils. Further funding needed to support Kew’s vital work comes from donors, membership and commercial activity including ticket sales.