Christmas light shows and trails are becoming increasingly more popular with new venues appearing each year.
Here are our top picks for the best 2025 Christmas light shows and illuminated light trails across the UK to experience and enjoy with family and friends during the festive season.
Wales
Christmas at Bute Park, Cardiff
Wales largest light trail returns at this iconic location. in the heart of Cardiff City Centre. It’s a totally different trail and experience for 2025 with new audio compositions and light illuminations across 15 distinct zones. New this year is their Water Willow illumination, a stunning centrepiece in the river, located at the start of the trail offering an enchanting blend of light and sound. Also don’t miss Icefall, where a shimmering cascade of lights tumbles down like a luminous waterfall, glowing in icy whites and frosty blues.
To complete the experience the food village returns with local street food traders offering everything from crumble pots to German sausages.
From 21 November to 31 December 2025
Book tickets at https://christmasatbutepark.com/
Margam Country Park, Neath Port Talbot
Luminate returns to this iconic South Wales setting this year for a bigger and better light trail than before. With stunning new designs and installations for 2025, including a stunning bespoke creation of 6,000 illuminated roses that have come from the King’s country retreat at Sandringham.
Kids will love the “wish tree” where children and adults can write their wishes on message tags and hang them from illuminated fences and being able to roast marshmallows in the fire pits at the entrance to the castle.
From 17 November to 31 December 2025
Book tickets at https://luminate.live/margam-country-park
England
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
The Illuminated Trail is bigger, better and brighter than ever before – featuring spectacular works by international and local artists. It’s a place where new memories can be made as a multitude of glowing lights and seasonal sounds fill the air with festive fun.
Firmly positioned as one of the UK’s leading illuminated trails, this has everything you need for an unforgettable time with friends and family, including a magical glimpse of Father Christmas along the way.
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1UL
From 14 November – 3 January 2026
Book now at blenheimpalace.com
Port Lympne Illuminated
Port Lympne is transforming its 600-acre park into a nighttime spectacle for the first time. On the immersive journey you experience captivating light and water shows, interactive experiences and holograms that blur the lines between real and virtual worlds.
As you step through illuminated portals into a world of enchantment, with holofan fairies leading the way and dazzling 3D projections transforming the tree canopy above. There is even a disco in the Orangery that will pulse with synchronized light and sound, while immersive snow scenes create a winter wonderland.
In the shadows, hyper-realistic holographic tigers will prowl, adding an extra layer of magic and mystery.
Aldington Rd, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LR
Selected dates, 28 November 2025 to 3 January 2026
Book tickets at portlympneilluminated.com
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, London
The light show at Kew Gardens is one of the most popular in the UK and for good reason. This year this iconic setting will be lit with 3km of enchanting illuminations, featuring over 20 dazzling installations, including some cherished favourites and exciting new displays, starting at the iconic glittering archway. This year’s trail showcases brand-new creations from world-renowned artists, lighting up Kew’s landscapes in dazzling colour.
Expect unforgettable larger-than-life illuminations, shimmering tunnels of light and even a special visit from Father Christmas along the way.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE
Selected dates, 14 November 2025 to 4 January 2026
Book tickets at kew.org
Glow Wild, Wakehurst, West Sussex
The Wakehurst Christmas lights transform our wild botanic landscape into a dazzling winter wonderland, featuring stunning, never-before-seen artwork and installations that create an all-new magical light trail.
You will encounter fantastical animals, walk among giants, and uncover the hidden secrets of the natural world. Be wowed by the giant mythical sea creature, join reimagined woodland wildlife on the banks of their biggest-ever installation, and enjoy a festive feast inside our classically dressed Christmas mansion.
Wakehurst, Selsfield Road, Haywards Heath RH17 6TN
Dates Selected dates between 27 November 2025 to 3 January 2026
Book tickets at https://www.kew.org
The Eden Project, Cornwall
This year the Eden Project has a stunning Christmas light festival in their winter wonderland. Visitors will love the r all-new Christmas Lights Experience – a shimmering paradise of seasonal sparkle and hidden surprises.
Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG
Selected dates 21st November – 4th January 2026
Book tickets at edenproject.com
Christmas at Dunham Massey, Cheshire
Christmas at Dunham Massey returns for 2025, this unmissable after-dark illuminated trail is one of the National Trust’s flagship Christmas light shows and one of the most popular in the region. Enjoy giant glittering deer that represents their deer park, huge sparking snowflakes and the Rose Garden, with 150 illuminated roses that fade and brighten in time to music as you make your way around the trail.
National Trust Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4SJ
From 14 November – 3 January 2026
Book now at nationaltrust.org.uk
AGLOW, Auckland Castle, Durham
This glittering one and a half mile long trail at Auckland Castle illuminates the grounds and the castle. Visitors will experience stunning projections on the castle walls, a sparking 100 metre-long tunnel of 100,000 stars, laser illuminations, mirror balls, dancing water light fountains and more
Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL14 7NP
From 21 November – 31 December 2025
Book now at aucklandproject.org
Winter Light Trail, Waddeson Manor, Buckinghamshire
The stunning grounds of Waddeson Manor will be as part of their Christmas festivities. On this light trail, visitors will see immersive light features including a tunnel of light loops, colourful tree canopies and giant dandelions. One of the highlights if the illumination of the manor’s façade to sequenced music.
From 22 November – 4 January 2026
Book now at waddeson.org.uk
Coombe Abbey Winter Light Trail, Coventry
This winter, experience Coombe Abbey Park as never before with a spectacular reimagined illuminated trail for 2025. Featuring fresh lighting designs, an updated route, and immersive soundscapes, the trail transforms the park’s historic landscapes into a glowing after-dark wonderland.
From 29 November – 31 December 2025
Book now at https://luminate.live/coombe-abbey
The Festival of Light at Longleat, Wiltshire
This iconic British attraction best known for its drive through safari park also has one of the countries best light shows, with the dazzling displays of thousands of Christmas lanterns. Meet fan-favourite characters from Shaun the Sheep, Wallace and Gromit and more while you journey to some of the UK’s most famous landmarks, marvel at native wildlife and sights — all spectacularly reimagined in lantern form.
From November 8 to January 11th 2026
Book now at https://www.longleat.co.uk/the-festival-of-light
Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Cotswolds
The spectacular National Arboretum in the Cotswold’s provides the magical festive backdrop for one of the countries most popular light trails. On your journey through the trail you will discover stunning light displays and kids will enjoy looking for elves and talking trees.
From 28 November – 31 December 2025
Book now at https://www.forestryengland.uk/forest-event/events-westonbirt-the-national-arboretum/enchanted-christmas
Leeds Castle, Kent
Created by award-winning international producers of light trails, Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle has everything you need for an unforgettable time with friends and family, including a magical glimpse of Father Christmas along the way.
From the moment you arrive, you will be immersed in a sparkling world of light and colour, where every turn reveals something new. Wander through a dazzling illuminated trail featuring brand-new installations, including the mesmerising Neon Tree, the elegant Peacock Promenade, and the dazzling Ribbon Tunnel, each designed to fill your evening with wonder and joy.
From 21 November – 31 December 2025
Book now at https://leeds-castle.com/events/christmas-lights-at-leeds-castle/
Scotland
Christmas at the Botanics , Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh is one of my favourite parts of the city and at Christmas time it’s even more beautiful. Their illuminated trail, which takes around 90 minutes to walk takes you and walk past trees drenched in colour, laser lights and giant baubles and snowflakes. Enjoy fairy lit tunnels, a fire garden and giant luminescent sculptures that rise high into the night sky. This year’s trail will feature new, spectacular installations from international artists, designed to complement the Botanics’ landscape.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Arboretum Place, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ
From 20 November – 30 December 2025
Book tickets at rbge.org.uk
Castle of Light, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
Castle of Light returns to Edinburgh Castle for its sixth year, brighter and bolder than ever. Born of fire and sculpted by ice, Scotland’s iconic fortress comes alive with the UK’s largest annual projection show.
Wander amongst dazzling displays, meet the Ice Queen in her frozen realm of the Great Hall, and watch as the mighty dragon lights up the dark night sky. Experience multiple immersive projections and interactive installations.
From 21-22, 28-29 November; 5-7, 12-14, 19-23, 27-30 December; 2-4 January
Book tickets at https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/whats-on/castle-of-light