Pagoda in the snow. Credit RBG Kew.
- Final dates for Christmas at Kew, ends 4 January
- Continuing exhibitions in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery celebrate Indian art
- Horticultural highlights include Kew’s Winter Garden and evergreen forests at Wakehurst
- Book now: Orchids 2026
- At Wakehurst, the Winter Garden is a sparkling tapestry of colour, texture and scent
Kew Gardens
Christmas at Kew | must end 4 January 2026 | 4.20pm to 10pm | Kew Gardens (Entrances: Victoria Gate, Brentford Gate and Elizabeth Gate) | Pre-booking essential
Christmas at Kew is an unmissable opportunity celebrate the festive season or welcome in the New Year with family and friends. Don’t miss spectacular new creations from world-wide artists presented uniquely for the first time in the UK. These larger-than-life illuminations are always unforgettable and to make it even more memorable, glimpse Father Christmas along the way.
The Singh Twins and Flora Indica| until 12 April 2026 | Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art | Included with entry
Now running in Kew’s Shirley Sherwood Gallery, two complementary exhibitions explore the complex colonial history of botanical art through both historical and contemporary lenses. In Gallery 5, Botanical Tales and Seeds of Empire by internationally acclaimed artists The Singh Twins showcases a striking new body of work inspired by Kew’s botanical archives.
Flora Indica: Recovering the lost histories of Indian botanical art, displayed in Galleries 1–4 will be the first-ever public display of 52 rediscovered botanical illustrations by Indian artists commissioned by British botanists between 1790 and 1850.
An accompanying Indian flora walking tour runs each Sunday and Wednesday until 29 March, departing from Victoria Plaza at 11.30am.
Horticultural Highlights- Winter
Kew’s Winter Garden offers spectacular colour throughout the season, with delicate snowdrops contrasting with textured grasses and fiery dogwoods. Elsewhere, the Grass Garden offers a serene space to sit and reflect, and the Rock Garden has lots of winter interest to admire.
Kew Publishing Book of the Month | Flora Indica: Recovering lost stories from Kew’s Indian drawings by H.J. Noltie
For the first time, Kew’s recovered collections of Indian botanical art are brought together with the remarkable stories that they tell – of the artists who painted them, the colonial context in which they were made, and their essential role in the development of botanical knowledge. With text by leading expert Henry Noltie, this beautifully illustrated book reveals the lost stories of how these illustrations came to be, exploring the work of 20 Indian artists from 11 collections, with 19 named individuals and 30 previously unseen illustrations.
Coming soon: Orchids 2026 | 7 February – 8 March 2026 | Pre-booking essential
Join us for an orchid spectacular inspired by China, as we celebrate 30 years of our much-loved Orchid Festival. The 2026 festival takes inspiration from China’s remarkable biodiversity, heritage and design traditions, filling our Princess of Wales glasshouse with a dazzling array of orchids and large-scale floral installations. Wander among dragons, lanterns and intricate plant sculptures that bring to life the beauty and wildlife of one of the world’s most biodiverse countries and experience a burst of colour and warmth in the winter months.
Wakehurst
Horticultural Highlights
Wakehurst’s evergreen woodlands are a treat for the senses with pine scents and birdsong, while viewpoints across Wakehurst reveal rolling hills and undulating landscapes across the Sussex High Weald. Visitors can discover the Winter Garden as it transforms into a seasonal spectacle, with a tapestry of colour and texture even in the colder months. Mature Himalayan silver birch trees (Betula utilis var. Jacquemontianii) rise above a layered display of bold red dogwood (Cornus), whilst snowdrops and cyclamen start to pop up across the ground throughout late winter. A treat for all senses, visitors can seek out the sweet scent of daphne bholua, with the sound of the wind rustling through ‘Karl Foerster’ grasses (Calamagrostis). With Wakehurst open over Boxing Day and over the festive period, it’s the ideal location for the families to come together, uniting the generations for a crisp winter walk.
Should the season bring less favourable weather, visitors can seek solace in the Atrium of Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, which offers windows into the labs and an interactive exhibition for children.
Events
Glow Wild | Ends 3 January 2026 | 4pm to 10pm | Flexible ticket options available
Glow Wild returns to Wakehurst with a bold new theme: Seed Safari – A Walk on the Wild Side. From 27 November 2025 to 3 January 2026, Sussex’s award-winning lantern trail invites visitors of all ages to wander into a radiant reimagining of the natural world, where seeds spark stories and the wild glows after dark. Book ticket for the trail now, featuring brand-new bespoke installations, an enhanced street food offering and Wakehurst’s iconic Christmas tree. Glow Wild guests can also add on an exclusive Mansion VIP experience, with a welcome drink, seasonal mezze-style sharing platter and a fully stocked bar.
Parkrun at Wakehurst | Every Saturday from 9am | Free
Pace yourself through our scenic landscape as Parkrun is now at Wakehurst. Every Saturday morning, embark on a fun, free and friendly 5K. Participants must register with Parkrun before their first event.
Guided tours | Tues to Thurs, 11.30am and 2pm | Fri – Mon, 11.30am | Free, subject to availability
Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’re a regular to the gardens wanting to learn more, join a volunteer-led tour to discover seasonal areas of interest, learn about the history of the landscape and discover behind-the-scenes stories of the gardens.
Millennium Seed Bank Atrium Guided Tours | Mondays 2pm | Free, subject to availability
Step inside the most biodiverse place on earth and enjoy a guided tour of the MSB Atrium. Trained volunteer guides will take you through the journey of a seed from collection to banking and point out areas of interest through the laboratory windows. Launched in celebration of the Millennium Seed Bank’s 25th anniversary.
Dog walks at Wakehurst | Daily | Dedicated dog walking route
Enjoy Wakehurst’s wintery woodlands and captivating views with your four-legged friend in tow. Wakehurst’s dedicated dog walking route takes you through woodlands of the world, offering a dog walk with a difference. Excitable pups can burn off energy in the secure off-lead area and enjoy some downtime in Wakehurst’s dog-friendly cafes.
Uniformed group visits | Evenings and Saturdays | £170 per group of up to 30 young people
Twilight and Saturday sessions ideal for groups such as Cubs, Beavers, Brownies, Scouts, Guides or for eco/extracurricular clubs. Led by a qualified teacher, work towards conservation learning, nature connectedness, exploration or activity badges in our vast landscape and outdoor learning facilities.
Exhibitions
Surviving or Thriving: An exhibition on plants and us | Daily, 10am – 3.30pm | Millennium Seed Bank | Included with entry
This exhibition brings Kew’s State of the World’s Plants reports to life, telling the story of why some plants are only surviving, while others are thriving. Through film, audio, models, and a futuristic garden, explore the challenges that plants face and discover the vital role of fungi.
Source Sarah Farrell, Kew
All images (c) RBG Kew.
