Kew at Christmas has officially opened at Kew Gardens, transforming the world-famous botanical garden into a winter wonderland of lights and music. The annual event, launched in 2013, is almost always a sell-out and offers visitors a two-hour stroll through a series of creative displays.
Festive attractions and seasonal treats
From the entrance, visitors are surrounded by Christmas sights, sounds and smells. Stalls near the entrance offer snacks, hot chocolate, mulled wine and cider to keep guests warm. Father Christmas greets visitors, explaining that the elves are on 24-hour shifts and the factory is open round the clock to ensure enough presents are delivered on Christmas Eve.
Canopies of presents and decorations lead to the Temperate House, where an intricate display of moving lights dances in time to the music. A field of flaming torches and pine cones follows, with displays accompanied by festive cheer and music.
Highlights and finale
To combat the chill, there are plenty of stop-off points offering hot drinks, food and snacks, including marshmallow toasting stations. One of the highlights is the fair, which includes a traditional carousel ride. The arch of fairy lights makes visitors feel as if they are on a journey to the North Pole.
The grand finale takes place on the lake in front of the Palm House, which is soon to be closed for extensive renovations. The event is ticketed, and more information is available on the Kew Gardens website.
