Twinkling lights shining so bright,
Here are some places to see them alight!
Christmas time is so nearly here,
What a wonderful festive time of the year!
Christmas Tree Wonderland, Bournemouth Dorset
19th November 2021 – 2nd January 2022!
Back by high demand, Bournemouth is going to be lit up once again by more than 100 festive-themed illuminations this winter as Christmas Tree Wonderland returns to the town centre! Plus, the long-standing Alpine bar and the ever-popular SKATE ice rink are both returning too along with the traditional Christmas market with traders selling all manners of yummy treats. This event is free with additional costs for Alpine Bar and Skate ice rink. Find out more here!
After Dark Illuminated Trail at Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Dorset
8th December 2021 – 2nd January 2022
Kingston Lacy are bringing you a brand new after dark illuminated trail through their festive gardens! Take your family and discover the light tunnels and many other festive lights which will get you just in the Christmas spirt. Find out more here!
Winterlights at West Somerset Railway, Somerset
19th November – 23rd December 2021
Take a seat on the illuminated train this winter at West Somerset Railway which will take you on a memorable winter journey. Travel through the woodlands and countryside that has been transformed for the winter season which will get you in the festive spirit. Tickets must be booked in advance via their website. Find out more here!
Christmas Illimitations at Hestercombe Gardens, Somerset
27th November 2021 – 2nd January 2022
Hestercombe’s Historic Gardens is going to be transformed into an illuminated winter trail for you and your family to go and walk down. Make your way through the lights that have lit up rock wood and enjoy a yummy hot chocolate at the end. Find out more here!
Steam Illuminations at Watercress Line, Hampshire
26th November – 2nd January 2022
The Watercress Line heritage railway is set to sparkle and shine with the return of the spectacular Steam Illuminations for the festive season – and this year it will be even brighter! The unique Christmas light show, which is scheduled to run from 26 November 2021 through into January 2022, will feature thrilling rides on a digital LED passenger steam train, illuminated inside and out with thousands of fully controllable colour mixing lights creating flashing patterns. Find out more here!
Winter Lights at Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire
Weekends in December
Celebrate their 10th Year of winter lights this year at Anglesey Abbey! Working with Pearce Sound and Lighting they are going to make it as magical as possible for you and your family this Christmas! Find out more here!
Christmas at Bedgebury Forest, Goudhurst Kent
Selected dates in November and December
Visit Bedgebury Forest at Christmas to see over a million twinkling lights and sounds in the forest for some festive fun this winter. There are extra tasty winter themed treats available at their cafe and you can take a spiced winter warmer around your walk too if you fancy it! Find out more here!
Garden of Lights at Blickling Estate, Norfolk
29th November – 19th December 2021 3:30 – 8pm (last entry slot 6:30-7)
Head on down to Blicking Estate until the 19th December and enjoy a beautiful walk through the magically lit walled garden before discovering the garden of lights and lit acorns on the Parterre. Plus, enjoy a yummy mince pie and some mulled wine after your work to soak up the magical atmosphere. Find out more here!
The ‘Borealis’ lights display at City of London Corporation’s Guildhall Yard
11th – 22nd December 2021
Experience the magic of the Northern Lights in London for free with ‘Borealis’ lights display, by renowned artist Dan Acher! The light display will recreate one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World in the capital’s skies from the City of London Corporation’s Guildhall Yard. So, get ready to experience the magic of the Northern Lights right in the city centre between 11-22 of December. Free tickets available online. Find out more here!
Christmas at Kew Gardens, Richmond London
17th November 2021 – 9th January 2022 4pm – 10pm
Enjoy the annual after-dark festivities with family and friends at Kew Gardens! Discover sparkling tunnels of light, dancing waterside reflections, trees drenched in jewel-like colour on your way to the magnificent panoramic Palm House light display. Make sure to keep your eye out for Father Christmas along the way to say hello. Tickets for this event can be booked direct with Kew. Find out more here!
Lightopia at Heaton Park, Manchester
19th November 2021 – 3rd January 2022
The award-winning Lightopia will return with its flagship event in Manchester, for the third year, with a brand-new enchanting light and lantern festival; presenting a Christmas Fantasy at Heaton Park. The never-before-seen, illuminated trail will feature magical and multi-sensory interactive lights, lanterns and installations, illustrating a story of an imaginative and fantasy festive world. Find out more here!
Winter Illuminations and Lanterns at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster
3rd December – 9th January 2022
Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s winter illuminations is returning for 2021 and it’s bigger and better than ever before! Complete with 4 worlds for you to explore, from Under the sea to Animal Adventure, which will be your favourite to look at?! Hot food and drink will be available to buy throughout the trial. Find out more here!
Winter Light Trail at Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
13th December – 22nd December 2021
The Alnwick Garden has put together a Winter Light Trail for 2021. After dark you can explore the sounds and lights, your senses will be loving the seasonal spirit of Christmas! Find out more here!
Christmas at Belton House, Lincolnshire
25th November 2021 – 2nd January 2022 16:00 – 20:00
Christmas magic returns as Belton is dressed in glitter and sparkle for you and your family! There is extra trails for you to enjoy this year too with Percy the Park Keeper (£2 per trail). The fun doesn’t stop there, after dark experience the magnificent illuminations with lots of lights too! Find out more here!
Lightopia Seasonal Wonderland at Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire
27th November 2021 – 3rd January 2022 16:00-20:00
Receive a FREE £5 Picniq voucher when you book with Picniq!
New for 2021, experience Lightopia Seasonal Wonderland at Alton Towers Resort! This magical, immersive journey through the 4 seasons will transport you to a whim-tastical land where you can control time! Get ready to be dazzled by a variety of spectacular lanterns, immersive light installations, and colour transformations that will light up the seasonal pathway and lead you through this spectacular after dark wonderland where a whole year will go by in just a day! Book your tickets here!
Festive Illuminated Walk at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
6th November 2021 – 9th January 2022
Visit the illuminated walk around the gardens of Chatsworth House to bring a festive sparkle to your Christmas. With hundreds of glowing lights, there is lots for you to see around the trails. Find out more here!
Winterfest 2021 at Wembley Park, London
25th November 2021 – 4th January 2022 10am – 11pm
Wembley Park’s free winter lights trail, Winterfest, is back this year! Until 4th January 2022, enjoy two-world premiere installations, dazzling mirrors, the return of London’s tallest-ever LED Christmas Tree, and not forgetting the debut of the permanent free outdoor photo gallery on the iconic Olympic Way. Find out more here!
Castle of Light at Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Scotland
Selected dates between 19th November 2021 – 9th January 2022 4.30pm – 10pm (last entry 8:30pm)
This festive season you can expect wonder, enchantment and a spectacle of colour when visiting Edinburgh Castle for the magnificent ‘Castle of Light’! The biggest light experience Edinburgh has ever hosted, using state of the art projections to create a truly wonderful immersive lighting experience with the castle’s iconic walls. Tickets can purchased direct from their website for this event. Find out more here!
Christmas At The Botanics, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Scotland
Running selected evenings between 25th November 2021 – 2nd January 2022
For a magical, botanical and festive illuminated trail in Edinburgh this festive season, head on down to the Royal Botanic Garden! Be left mesmerised by the flickering flames in the fire garden and gaze up at the larger-than-life illuminations. Find out more here!
Christmas at Bute Park, Cardiff Wales
25th November – 31st December 2021
Christmas at Bute Park is the biggest festive light trail wales has ever seen, therefore if you are local to the area you do not want to miss out! Get ready be dazzling by light displays, interactive installations, a warm flickering fire as, an enchanting fairy tree forest, laser shows and mirrors as well as locally sourced street food, mmm yummy!! Find out more here!
Margam Country Park Winter Light Trail
18th November 2021 – 2nd January 2022 4:15pm – 9pm
Luminate wales has returned to Margam Country Park and Castle for a spectacular illuminated trail! As darkness descends, embark on an enchanting light trail through the stunning historic gardens before immersing yourself in a mesmerising mile long walk. Tickets must be pre-booked online in advance. Find out more here!
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