Glow Wild at Wakehurst – “Nature’s Hidden World”

Glow Wild at Wakehurst: Seed Safari – A Walk on the Wild Side

Detail Information

Location Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden, Sussex.

Dates Selected evenings from Thursday, 27 November 2025, to Saturday, 3 January 2026.

Theme Seed Safari – A Walk on the Wild Side.

The new trail celebrates the mystery, beauty, and resilience of nature, inspired by the smallest seed and the 25th anniversary of Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank.

Experience Wakehurst's award-winning Christmas light trail transforms the wild botanic garden into an illuminated wonderland featuring a mile-long path of exclusive installations, handcrafted lanterns, and immersive soundscapes.

The Illuminated Attractions & Installations

The 2025 trail features brand new, bespoke installations by international artists, inviting visitors to reimagine wildlife and uncover the hidden secrets of the natural world.

Core Light Installations

• Moon River: This is the biggest installation Glow Wild has ever created, a breathtaking, shimmering river of lights featuring over 13,000 twinkling lights.
• The Illuminated Trail: The path is packed with bespoke light instillations, handcrafted lanterns, and light animations that bring the wild landscape to life.
• Fantastical Wildlife & Giants: Walk among larger-than-life, illuminated creatures and reimagined wildlife, including:
• A majestic parade of glowing animals handcrafted from willow.
• Giant depictions of wolves, jellyfish, fungi, and other mythical creatures.
• Wakehurst Mansion Projection: The historic Elizabethan mansion is illuminated with a dazzling projection, providing a spectacular, changing backdrop to the festive atmosphere.
• Iconic Christmas Tree: The trail features the UK's largest living Christmas tree—Wakehurst's towering Redwood—bedazzled with thousands of energy-saving bulbs.

Immersive Experiences

• Immersive Soundscapes: The journey is accompanied by atmospheric sound displays and evocative audio soundscapes, some voiced by Kew ambassador Cate Blanchett, and inspired by recordings from the Millennium Seed Bank.
• Story Fire Circle: Gather for a festive moment beneath the giant Christmas tree to toast hand-made marshmallows and share festive tales around a real fire.
• Festive Feasting: The experience includes a revamped street food experience in a Christmas market-inspired setting, offering hearty hot food, seasonal treats, and mulled wine. An exclusive VIP Mansion Mezze Dining package is also available in the Elizabethan Mansion for a luxurious add-on.

Accessibility

The event offers flexible options including:

• Early, family-friendly time slots.
• Quiet Sessions (the first slot of the evening) for visitors with sensory processing needs or disabilities.
• Adult-Only Evenings (on selected dates) for a more intimate experience.

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