6 November 2019
Plan the perfect evening at Christmas at Kew
From a new route to a delicious array of street food, here's our roundup of the best things to do at Christmas at Kew this year.
Our sparkling after dark trail returns to light up Kew Gardens.
With a brand new route and installations for 2019 as well as the return of familiar favourites, here's how to make the most of your evening amongst the lights.
Explore our new route
Wander through the Gardens after dark on a dazzling new route and experience our immersive light trail.
A waterfall of lights will cascade from our 18 metre high Treetop Walkway in the Arboretum. With spiralling columns of light cascading from the canopy above, this mesmerising display is not to be missed.
Wander past our incredible Temperate House for a show-stopping kaleidoscopic laser show.
Enjoy tasty street food
Treat yourself to some delicious street food while you wander.
Dotted along the trail will be a variety of local and independent street food traders from KERB, where you can choose from a range of flavourful street food.
Options will include sourdough pizza fresh from a wood-fired oven or indulgent cheese toasties by Meltsmiths. Indulge in something sweet with churros form La Churreria or festive chocolate-orange brownies from SE Cakery.
Take a selfie with a beautiful backdrop
Take a sparkling selfie with a festive backdrop.
Best selfie spots include the cherry tree walkway near the Temperate House, where the trees will be wrapped with tiny blossom-shaped lights to create a glistening walkway.
Or stop for a selfie at the start of the trail, where a tunnel of 20 light arcades will provide a magical scene for your photo.
Warm up with mulled wine
Sip on mulled wine and spiced rum cocktails from KERB bars along the trail, which will be serving drinks from London breweries, independent winemakers and small batch distilleries.
If you're still feeling chilly, get warm around the firepit with your family and friends to toast marshmallows.
Go on a helter skelter ride
Perfect for the little ones, don’t miss the mini fairground at Temperate House with a Victorian carousel, helter skelter and other family rides.
Rides operate 5pm to 9.45pm and cost £3 per ride, or buy 6 tickets for £15. Ride tickets can be purchased on the night or in advance with your entry ticket.
Enjoy a delicious Christmas meal
Add a Christmas dinner to your evening and make your night extra special.
Take a seat at our iconic Botanical restaurant overlooking the stunning Palm House pond. There are two sittings available before or after your visit to the trail, and you can add this as an extra when booking your tickets for Christmas at Kew.
Appreciate the beauty of nature
Admire the striking forms of our beautiful trees in winter.
Trees along the route will be illuminated from different angles, with branches and trunks wrapped in hundreds of lights. Keep your eyes peeled for our pea-light-festooned heritage tree which will return this year.
