Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Christmas at Kew celebrates 10 years with new installations for 2022
THE UK’S ORIGINAL FESTIVE LIGHT TRAIL WILL BE DAZZLING KEW GARDENS IN LON DON ONCE MORE BETWEEN WEDNES DAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022, AND SUNDAY, JANU ARY 8, 2023
THIS November, see Kew Gardens in a whole new light, as the UNESCO World Heritage landscape glitters with millions of festive lights from the return of Christmas at Kew. Since the inaugural Christmas trail in 2013, this unique, world-famous event has paved the way for festive displays across the countr y, each winter cementing light trails as a firm festive favourite in the run-up to the Christmas season.
Mark ing ten years since the original festive trail at Kew Gardens in London, this year’s display features a host of seasonal favourites alongside mesmerizing new light installations. A celebration of nature by night, this enchanting experience is designed to bring Kew’s incredible natural landscape to life for v isitors of all ages.
New iNstallatioNs
This year watch out for Feathers by
P y rite Creative - featuring 16 floating
U V feathers which will sway in the breeze, appearing as if from nowhere. Fun and magical, this installation draws on the sy mbolic connection of feathers to the div ine.
Creative studio Pitaya returns to Christmas at Kew after a successful debut in 2020. Lighting up the woodland areas with an ethereal installation new to Kew called ‘Floraison’, which are hundreds of luminous poppies that appear to have blown away in the breeze, clinging to branches high above your head.
Elsewhere in the gorgeous tree canopies, LuminARTi’s Willow Hives elegantly illuminate the natural shapes and The Light Art Collection will be returning with a new work for Kew, it’s called ‘Illusion Hole’ by UxU Studio - a geometrically arranged optical illusion on the lake as water formed by light appears to flow into an unknown abyss.
Families will once again be able to see the sparkling tunnel of light at Kew Gardens this Christmas
Festive Favourites
Wander beneath colourful tree canopies and shrubber y draped in spark le. There will also be futuristic neon trees and branches illuminated with stars as you enter a botanical world filled with seasonal cheer.
The ever-popular Fire Garden returns for 2022 and Kew’s picture-perfect Christmas Cathedral will once again create a dazzling world filled with thousands of fair y lights, offering the perfect Instagram opportunit y.
The Palm House finale is also back and features breath-tak ing projections dancing across the glass house and pond, set to a memorable soundtrack of much-loved Christmas classics.
To add an extra touch of magic to the Christmas at Kew experience, visitors can book a delicious traditional Christmas dinner at The Botanical Brasserie to enjoy with loved ones. Tast y treats from a selection of independent street food vendors are also available along the route, including spiced cider, waffles, mulled wine, or hot chocolate to keep you warm.
Sandra Botterell, director of marketing and commercial enterprise at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, said: “Christmas at Kew is always magical, but this year is even more special as we celebrate ten years of this wonderful light trail. We can’t wait to welcome visitors back to the Gardens to experience the return of our much-loved light installations, alongside exciting new additions, all of which take inspiration from Kew’s incredible collections. As t he first fest ive light t rail of its k ind, Christmas at Kew really is a seasonal spectacular unlike any other.”
Christmas at Kew GardeNs - everythiNG visitors Need to KNow
What: Christmas at Kew - an after-dark festive l ig ht t ra i l.
When: Wednesday, November 16, 2022, until Sunday, Januar y 8, 2023.
Open from 4:20pm until 10pm with timed entr y slots. Last entr y at 8pm.
The trail is open on selected dates. For more information see the website.
Why visit: Enjoy a mesmerising illuminated Christmas trail for all the family set within the stunning botanical gardens of Kew.
Admission: Off peak advanced from: Adult £21.50, Child (2-14 years) £14, Family £65 (2 adults and 2 children),
Kew member; £18.50.
Free entr y for children aged under 4.
Address: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE.
about royal botaNiC GardeNs, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a worldfamous scientific organisation - internationally respected for its outstanding collections as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversit y, conser vation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world.
Kew Gardens is a major international and top London visitor attraction. Kew Gardens’ 132 hectares of landscaped gardens and Wakehurst, Kew’s Wild Botanic Garden, attract over 2.5 million v isits ever y year. Kew Gardens was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and celebrated its 260th anniversar y in 2019.
Wakehurst is home to Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild plant seed bank in the world. RBG Kew receives approximately one-third of its funding from the Government through the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and research councils. Further funding needed to support RBG Kew’s vital work comes from donors, membership and commercial activit y including ticket sales.
For more information about Christmas at Kew and to book tickets, visit the website www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas