Winter lights displays for 2021
Away from the high streets with their Christmas lights, there are the large parks that fill their gardens and trees with winter lighting displays. Once a bit of a rarity, they’ve surged in popularity in recent years and can now be found all over London, so there’s bound to be one close to you.
A delightful way to get out into the fresh air after ages of lockdown.
Listed by date of when then open…
Illuminature
Friday 22nd October 2021 – Sunday 9th January 2022
Barnes – Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
A new light trail in the wildlife reserve just to the south of the Thames in Hammersmith/Barnes.
Prices:
- Adult: £17.50
- Children (4+): £12.50
- Children (0-3): Free
Enchanted Woodland
Friday 12th November 2021 – Sunday 28th November 2021
West London – Syon Park
Now in its 14th year the trail winds through the arboretum, passing the sixteenth century Syon House, and ends at the spectacular Great Conservatory. An array of lighting effects – from high-tech lasers to low tech candles – illuminate the visitor’s way through the trees. The event is put together by a team of lighting designers and Syon staff so you can even ask them about the trees.
Prices:
- Adult: £10
- Children (3-15): £7.50
- Children (0-2): Free
Christmas at Kew
Wednesday 17 November 2021 – Sunday 9 January 2022
Kew Gardens
This year’s trail features a host of firm seasonal favourites alongside pioneering new light installations, illuminating Kew Gardens landscape with vibrant bursts of colour and over a million twinkling lights.
This winter, Christmas at Kew incorporates new shows, including video shows, a fifteen-metre-wide dome of light allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in this unique mirrored illusion as they cross the lake, and a recreation of the Aurora Borealis.
Prices:
- Adult: rom £21.50
- Children (4-16): From £14
- Children (0-4): Free
- Family (2 adults, 2 children): From £65
- Concessions available.
The Palace of Light
Friday 19th November 2021 – Sunday 2nd January 2022
Crystal Palace
Lightopia London promises to bring the history of Crystal Palace Park to life, with a Christmas light walk, creating a winter wonderland of illumination. See the Crystal Palace Park dinosaurs as you never have before, and their new companions, as Lightopia London bring their own dinosaurs to this Christmas light trail.
Prices:
- Adult: £23.85
- Children (3-15): £16:43
- Children (0-2): Free
- Family (2 adults 2 children or 1 adult 3 children): £74.20
Christmas at Kenwood
Friday 26th November 2021 – Sunday 9th January 2022
North London – Kenwood House
Perched on the edge of Hampstead Heath, the tranquil landscaped gardens will become home to an illuminated trail that invites visitors to see the historical landscape in a new light, as they step into a dazzling winter wonderland. Brand new for 2021, visitors of all ages will be captivated by this visually stunning, multi-sensory mix of light, fire and sound.
Prices:
- Adult: From £21.50
- Children (3-16): From £14
- Family (2 adults, 2 children): From £16
IlluminoCity
Monday 6th December 2021 – Wednesday 19th January 2022
A free display across the Liverpool Street area of the City of London put on by the local office management company, Brookfield Properties.
The light trail includes five installations by artists from five different countries, to be found at London Wall Place, Principal Place and Citypoint.
From 3pm every afternoon until 9pm (London Wall Place) and 10pm (Citypoint & Principal Place)
Free to visit
Palace of Stardust
Wednesday 8th December 2021 – Monday 3rd January 2022
Hampton Court Palace
Explore the historic cobbled courtyards and gardens, filled with magical illuminations inspired by the palace’s famous astronomical clock; the ticking Tudor heart of Hampton Court installed by command of King Henry VIII.
Prices:
- Adults:£12.50
- Childred (5-15 years): £8.00
- Family (1 adult 2 children): £24.50
- Family (2 adult 2 children): £37.00
- HRP Members: Half price tickets
Enchanted Eltham Palace
Thursday 9th December 2021 – Thursday 30th December 2021
Southeast London – Eltham Palace
Explore the grounds and gardens of the medieval palace to discover a world of illumination, sound and colour, and see the outside of the Great Hall bathed in light.
Prices:
- Adult: From £14
- Child: From £9.50
- Family (2 adults, 2 children): From £37.50
- English Heritage member Adult: From £12
- English Heritage member Child: From £7.50
- English Heritage member Family (2 adults, 2 children): From £31.50
I had a quick conversation with Canary Wharf Group yesterday and Winter Lights on the estate is going to run 19th to 29th Jan. No further info at this time.