The Best Winter Light Festivals In The UK

It’s that time of year again: winter light festivals are returning to the UK. Here’s our pick of the most dazzling, featuring glowing cherry blossom walkways, glistening lakes and laser shows to visit in winter 2023.

Winter Light Festivals For 2023

Winter Light Trail, Waddeson Manor

Waddesdon, Aylesbury HP18 0JH

Yes Events

This winter, Waddeson’s beautiful Buckinghamshire gardens will be illuminated with light as part of their Christmas festivities. Visitors are invited to stroll around the Pleasure Gardens under the stars and be dazzled by immersive light features: from colourful tree canopies to giant dandelions and a tunnel of light loops. As the sun goes down, meanwhile, the Manor’s façade will be illuminated with dancing lights to sequenced music. All this, plus handmade mince pies and festive drinks. What’s not to love? 22 November 2023–1 January 2024, waddeson.org.uk

Illuminated Light Trail, Blenheim Palace

Woodstock OX20 1PP

Blenheim Palace is a spectacular sight any day of the year, but it really comes to life come Christmas time. Their Illuminated Light Trail promises to be more magical than ever this year, with standout features including a fire garden and glittering tunnels of light – plus spiced winter warmer drinks from street vendors. 17 November 2023–1 January 2024, blenheimpalace.com

Windsor Great Park Illuminated

The Crown Estate Windsor Great Park SL4 2HT

Set in the picturesque surrounds of the Obelisk Pond, Windsor Great Park Illuminated takes visitors on a trail around one of the UK’s most famous parks. Pass through fountains of flowers, holograms of mythical creatures and dreamlike laser displays, before settling down for some mulled wine and toasted marshmallows. 16 November 2023–2 January 2024, windsorilluminated.com

AGLOW at Auckland Castle

Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL14 7NP

Brand new for 2023 is AGLOW at County Durham’s Auckland Castle, where a glittering one-and-a-half mile long trail will illuminate the grounds and reimagine the Castle in a whole new light. Visitors can expect stunning projections on the caste walls, a sparkling 100 metre-long tunnel of 100,000 stars, laser illuminations, neon ropes, mirror balls, LED vines, starburst trees, dancing light water fountains and life size illuminated deer amongst silk flower lanterns. 22 November–31 December 2023, aucklandproject.org

Christmas at the Botanics, Edinburgh Botanical Gardens

Edinburgh EH3 5NZ

Christmas at the Botanics is returning to Edinburgh Botanical Gardens with over a million twinkling lights. Guests are invited to weave through the one-mile trail of light installations, wandering beneath tree canopies and past iconic glasshouses. Incandescent flowers rise high into the night sky, leading you onto a path towards illuminated tree sculptures. A highlight is the festival finale, which illuminates the facade of Inverleith House in time to Christmas classics. Watch out for hidden surprises too: shards of light, marching reindeer and frosty snowflakes pop up where you least expect them. 16 November–30 December 2023, rbge.org

Christmas at Kew, London

Kew Gardens, Richmond

Jeff Eden

Now a firm favourite on the Christmas calendar, Kew Gardens’ winter light festival is back and brighter than ever. The trail begins, as is tradition, with a glittering archway: the gateway to your festive voyage. Highlights of the trail include dancing waterside reflections, trees drenched in colour and tunnels 0f light – plus an appearance from Father Christmas himself. Visitors can expect a mesmerising Palm House Pond finale, where Kew’s famous glasshouse will spring to life with criss-crossing laser beams, jumping jets of light and kaleidoscopic projections playing across a giant water screen. 15 November 2023– 7 January 2024, kew.org 

Christmas at Dunham Massey, Cheshire

Altrincham WA14 4SJ

Returning for its seventh year, Dunham Massey’s light trail is always a spectacular event. Enter beside giant glittering deer, wander beneath tree canopies drenched in colour, and stroll beside colour-changing lakeside reflections – then pause for a moment of quiet reflection in the crystal and fire garden, aglow with hundreds of flickering flames. Finish with a hot chocolate or mulled wine for ultimate festive feels. 17 November–30 December 2023, nationaltrust.org.uk

Glow Wild, Wakehurst

Selsfield Road, Haywards Heath RH17 6TN

Jeff Eden, RGB Kew

As night falls on Wakehurst this winter, its wild woodlands and gardens will come alive with a glistening trail of hand-crafted lanterns, light installations and projections. The 2023 winter light show marks the 10th anniversary, and will celebrate the sublime, inviting visitors to become part of the trail and discover awe-inspiring moments in nature. 23 November 2023–1 January 2024, kew.org

Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury GL8 8QS

Discover a magical world of light spectacles and interactive displays among the trees at The National Arboretum, which is home to 15,000 tree specimens. Along the way you may chance upon elves and talking trees – and at the end, you may catch a glimpse of a special guest. 24 November–23 December 2023, forestryengland.uk 

Christmas at Cowdray, Sussex

Cowdray Park, Midhurst GU29 0AY

We’re hoping the festive light show will return to the Cowdray Estate in Sussex this winter. Last year saw the debut of a brand-new woodland walk and, set to a soundtrack, was themed around peace and tranquility, with a one-mile route beginning at the Cowdray woods and ending at the Cowdray ruins. Enjoy warming drinks, crepes and hot chocolate as you wander through sparkling lights and interactive installations – and be sure to watch out for Father Christmas and his reindeer. Opening date TBC, cowdray.co.uk

Lightopia, London

Crystal Palace Park, London

See Crystal Palace bathed in light at Lightopia, London’s largest Christmas light display. An all-encompassing experience, the trail usually features interactive lanterns, colourful lasers and water shows, with highlights including a butterfly installation and illuminated dinosaurs. Food and drink is also be available for guests to enjoy along the way. Opening date TBC, london.lightopiafestival.com

Featured image: Windsor Great Park Illuminated, Michael Clemens