Christmas at Kew is back for 2019. That's no surprise — tickets have been on sale since June.
But the dazzling light festival is introducing a few new elements on a new route this year to keep things fresh — and they sound absolutely enchanting.
For the first time, a waterfall of lights graces the 18m-high Treetop Walkway in the Arboretum area of the garden, cascading down towards visitors on the ground below, and pooling in a sea of light at their feet. The waterfall is the work of Brighton-based ITHACA, and features four illuminated spiralling columns which cascade in a 10-minute display.
Further enchantment comes in the form of a forest of vines. Walk through a 30-metre-long promenade of LED vines, touching and interacting with them and watching them change colour as you go.
The newly-restored Temperate House gets a look-in for the first time this year too, with kaleidoscopic laser projections illuminating 15,000 panes of glass in the Victorian structure — the largest survivor of its kind in the world.
Alas, no images are available of this year's additions yet, so we'll have to wait for the big reveal on 20 November — but going by the usual Christmas at Kew standards, it should be pretty special.
Favourites including the Instagram-famous tunnel of light, the fire garden, and the Palm House finale with choreographed light projections, are back for this year — take a look at last year's photos for an idea of what to expect.
If that all sounds like hungry work, there's further good news. Not content with opening its first new permanent base, KERB street food market continues its conquest of London's food scene with a pop-up market at Christmas at Kew. Fuel your way around the trail with cheese toasties by Meltsmiths or barbecue dishes by Prairie Fire BBQ, and sweet treats from La Churreria and SE Cakery, along with mulled wine and spiced rum cocktails.
Christmas at Kew 2019 runs 20 November 2019-5 January 2020. Tickets are on sale now and they will sell out, so make haste if you're keen.
