Top Places To See The Christmas Lights In Kent & Sussex in 2025
As the days get shorter and the weather turns colder we all need something to bring us a little extra festive cheer.
Top Image Brands Hatch. © Shelby Ellis Photography
So it’s time to don your scarf and hats and head outdoors to see one of the stunning light displays our counties offer. Here are just a few to choose from locally as well as a few a little further afield…
Winter Lights Spectacular at Brands Hatch, 21st November to 31st December 2025
At Brands Hatch’s all-new Winter Lights Spectacular guests will be invited to explore an enchanting light trail in woodland parts of the Kent venue, featuring illuminations (some with a motor racing twist!), food stalls and fairground rides. Perfect for family gatherings, date nights and catching up with friends or colleagues in a relaxed and atmospheric setting.
The Winter Lights Spectacular runs from 21st November through to New Year’s Eve, and is open Friday to Sunday in late November, then Thursday to Sunday in early December, and daily (except Christmas Day) as we head towards the end of the year.
Tickets for all time slots (at 15-minute intervals from 4.30pm) are available to book now with adult entry £18, and a reduced price for children aged 3-15.
• Visit brandshatch.co.uk/winter-lights
Glow Wild, Wakehurst, selected evenings 27th November to 3rd January & Christmas at Kew, selected dates 14th November 2025 to 4th January 2026
Explore a woodland trail of lights and lantern installations at Wakehurst’s Glow Wild 2025, located in Sussex. See the wild botanic landscape transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland, with never-before-seen artwork and installations along the all-new magical light trail. As you walk the trail you will encounter fantastical animals and uncover the hidden secrets of our natural world. Look out for the giant mythical sea creature and enjoy a festive feast inside the classically-dressed Christmas mansion.
At this unique Christmas light trail you will see brand new bespoke installations by international artists, and enjoy a mesmerising soundscape journey, then why not head to the iconic Christmas tree where you will find a revamped festive street food experience?
At Christmas at Kew 2025 you can expect unforgettable larger-than-life illuminations, shimmering tunnels of light and even a special visit from Father Christmas along the way. There will also be festive street food and warming winter treats – from savoury dishes and sweet treats to spiced winter warmers and hot chocolate along the trail and in the food court by the Temperate House. The Pavilion Bar & Grill will also be open for walk-ins.
• Visit kew.org/wakehurst & kew.org/kew-gardens
Image Canterbury. Josh Carter
Canterbury’s Christmas Lights Switch-On, 14th November 2025
With traditional market huts, a festive fayre and six miles of glittering lights and seasonal window displays – Canterbury is ready to light up for Christmas. The city’s Christmas Lights Switch-On will take place on Friday 14th November 2025 with switch-on moments and activities taking place from 5pm-8pm, marking the official opening of one of the UK’s largest festive markets and launching a magical evening of entertainment across the city.
This year’s celebration, titled “Let It Snow!”, will transform Canterbury into a winter wonderland with 12 themed locations hosting staggered switch-on moments, culminating in a city-wide glow. Visitors can enjoy free Park and Ride from 2pm, making it easier than ever to join the festivities.
The Christmas Market will once again be spread throughout the historic city centre, including a large festive fayre within the Cathedral’s Precincts, featuring artisan stalls, a carousel, a giant snow globe and live music. The city’s shop windows will also be aglow as the annual Christmas Window Trail launches, and this year’s theme is LEGO!
• Full details of the event line-up and the Christmas Window LEGO Trail are live on Visit Canterbury: Switch-on Event & LEGO Trail
Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle, 21st November to 31st December 2025
Christmas at Leeds Castle returns this winter with what organisers are describing as the most immersive light trail in the event’s history. The historic Kent landmark will once again be transformed into a glittering after-dark experience – this year filled with more tunnels, overhead installations and interactive moments than ever before.
The 2025 trail introduces a host of spectacular new features, including the UK premiere of Peacock Promenade by Pyrite Creative, a dazzling walkway made from eight oversized UV-lit feathers that shimmer in the night. Visitors can also wander through the new Ribbon Tunnel, and marvel at the Gladioli Walk by Jigantics. Overhead, a breathtaking display of 450 glowing battens will create a constantly shifting canopy, while a field of 250 suspended red poppies by Pitaya will provide one of the most atmospheric moments on the trail.
The much-loved Christmas Cathedral, stretching an impressive 27 metres, will make a welcome return. Whilst 12 water fountains by Sense Effects, choreographed to music and light on the castle’s moat, will make their first appearance.
Visitors can also enjoy indulgent festive treats from hand-picked food stalls, sip a spiced winter warmer, or toast marshmallows over an open fire while soaking in the sights.
• Visit christmaslightsatleedscastle.co.uk
Image Leonardslee. Index Digital
Leonardslee Lights presents “A Midwinter Light’s Dream”, selected evenings between 28th November and 30th December 2025
Leonardslee Lights returns for 2025 with a new route and expanded cast of light, sound and spectacle at the beautiful Sussex venue of Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens. There you will see woodland scenes bathed in light, music and mystery and each installation is a carefully crafted scene, inspired by the beauty the setting.
Leonardslee Lights is shaped by an evolving community of artistic collaborators from nationally acclaimed studios to emerging local talent. During your visit you will also have the chance to enjoy local street food and warm festive drinks from the bar either before you set off or while you relax after the trail.
There is a free return shuttle bus from Horsham Station or Horsham Carfax directly to the event when choosing Leonardslee Lights + Shuttle Bus tickets, and new for this year – all adult tickets are £17.50 when visiting via bus.
• Visit leonardsleegardens.co.uk/lights
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The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree lights switch on, 4th December 2025 (on display until 5th January 2026)
Marking the 78th anniversary of the annual gift of a Christmas tree from the City of Oslo to the people of London, Trafalgar Square’s famous Christmas Tree is back for 2025. The King of Norway, Haakon VII, sought refuge in Britain in 1940 when his country was invaded and the gift was later given as a token of gratitude for British support during the Second World War. The tree will be in Trafalgar Square until Monday 5th January 2026, after which it will be recycled.
The festivities start at 5pm on 4th December 2025 and will include The Choir of St-Martin-in-the-Fields singing some well known Christmas carols led by the Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army, A poem to the Tree written and read by children who live in Westminster and a performance by The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood. The light switch on will be at 6pm and the ceremony concludes at 6.30pm.
• Visit westminster.gov.uk/trafalgar-tree
Image Bedgebury. Index Digital
Christmas at Bedgebury, 21st November to 31st December 2025
The iconic Christmas at Bedgebury trail promises to shine brighter than ever as it marks 100 years of the world-famous Bedgebury Pinetum located in Kent. The beloved after-dark experience returns with a host of new installations, festive favourites and a centenary celebration that will transform the forest into a wonderland of light, music and magic.
Produced by Sony Music in partnership with Forestry England, the 2025 trail will feature never-before-seen artworks alongside returning highlights that visitors have come to love. Light as a Feather, a delicate new installation featuring 12 ethereal UV-lit feathers, will appear to drift among the treetops, while Light Lines, a mesmerising composition of 200 glowing battens, will guide visitors deeper into the woodland.
A sequence of seven glittering bauble arches will lead visitors through a spellbinding Christmas Tree Walk-Through – a festive photo moment in the making. Plus a show-stopping 36-metre Christmas Cathedral will offer a tunnel of light and colour, while 150 floating candles by creative studio Pitaya will appear to hover magically in the night air. And for returning guests, the much-loved fountain show and ever-popular Bubble Walk are both back.
Along the way, visitors can warm up with seasonal food and drink, from toasted marshmallows to mulled wine and hot chocolate.
• Visit premier.ticketek.co.uk
SteamLights at Bluebell Railway, Throughout November & December 2025
This year Bluebell Railway in Sussex is bringing the magic of Mythical Creatures to life during their enchanting evenings where the Ice Queen summons her powers to light up the train before it steams into the night on a new, family-friendly narrative journey.
As you make your way along the line you will marvel at dazzling illuminated displays with their new festive-themed scenes among the trees and clearings and see how many mythical creatures you can spot as the story unfolds, narrated by the Ice Queen.
Board at Sheffield Park for the magical journey where you will be seated in the luxury of your own compartment with your party and then journey through the Sussex countryside under cover of darkness, bringing shimmering light and colour as you go, orchestrated in time with music. At Horsted Keynes Station you can take photographs of your spectacular train covered in lights before your return to Sheffield Park. The whole experience takes around two hours.
• Visit bluebell-railway.com
Image Port Lympne. @portlympnepark
Port Lympne Illuminated, 28th November 2025 to 3rd January 2026
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve will launch its inaugural seasonal light trail this November – Port Lympne Illuminated, transforming the Kent park’s 600-acre landscape into a mesmerising nighttime spectacle. Designed and produced by LCI Productions the immersive journey will feature original installations and narratives, captivating light and water shows, interactive experiences and holograms that blur the lines between real and virtual worlds.
Visitors will 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 will be a high-energy disco in the Orangery and in the shadows, hyper-realistic holographic tigers will prowl, adding an extra layer of magic and mystery. You will also find a Santa’s Grotto, food and drink outlets and a vintage fairground.
Guests wanting to enhance their visit with an overnighter, can experience a fully immersive stay at Port Lympne Illuminated, offering all the magic of a Port Lympne stay but with the extra sparkle of the new Christmas trail with the Nightlights package and the All Inclusive Two Night Christmas Eve.
• Visit portlympneilluminated.com
The Theatre of Christmas in Covent Garden, from 12th November 2025
More than 300,000 lights will sparkle throughout the neighbourhood as Covent Garden in London switches on its world-famous Christmas lights on 12th November. The switch on will see the return of the much-loved gold bells in the Market Building and the iconic 55ft British-grown Christmas tree. Covent Garden’s 2025 campaign, The Theatre of Christmas, will feature a seven-week celebration, inviting visitors to step behind the curtain of Christmas and into an immersive world of festive magic.
Why not take up the chance to celebrate the festive season at SUSHISAMBA Winter Piazza Terrace by Belvedere in Covent Garden where you can indulge in a curated selection of Belvedere cocktails? Or head to Somerset House's spectacular courtyard which will be transformed into the ultimate skating experience with contemporary music and a selection of food and drink. Also until 23rd December you can take a step back in time at Miracle at Henrietta with its delicious menu of festive cocktails.
• Visit coventgarden.london
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