Everything you need to know for Christmas at Kew
For entry times, ticket information including how to book, pricing, parking, access and contact information.
Dates
Christmas at Kew runs from Wednesday 13 November 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025, with the exception of the following dates:
- Monday 18 November
- Tuesday 19 November
- Monday 25 November
- Monday 2 December
- Wednesday 25 December
Entry times
Timeslots for Christmas at Kew start at 4.20pm through to 8pm, depending on which gate you enter through. Please note last entry times for gates as follows:
Brentford Gate: 7pm
Elizabeth Gate: 7.20pm
Victoria Gate: 8pm
On December 24, last entry at Brentford Gate and Elizabeth Gate is at 6.20pm, with last entry at Victoria Gate at 7pm (these are new timings for 2024).
Entry gates
Be sure to select the right entry gate for your visit.
Victoria Gate: main entrance
This is the main entrance, located on Kew Road, and the best for those travelling by public transport. The postcode for Victoria Gate is TW9 3JR. Local parking facility bookable.
Elizabeth Gate
This entrance is best for those travelling by National Rail – South West Trains. The nearest National Rail station is Kew Bridge. The postcode for Elizabeth Gate is TW9 3AE. Local parking facility bookable.
Brentford Gate: reserved parking
This ticket is only available for pre-paid parking at Kew’s Ferry Lane car park. Parking is £10 and must be added when buying your tickets in advance. Please note there is a short walk from the gate to the start of the trail. The postcode for Brentford Gate is TW9 3AF.
Parking
If you wish to pre-book parking, you must do so at the same time as booking your entry tickets. You will see the option to book parking by scrolling to the parking tab next to the tickets tab, on the booking page.
Parking is now strictly prohibited along Kew Road, due to the implementation of cycle lanes on both directions along the length of this road. You can find out more about parking in the area by visiting the Richmond upon Thames council website.
Brentford Gate car park
Parking at Kew’s Ferry Lane car park (TW9 3AF) is for advance booking only.
You need to buy tickets with reserved parking (additional £10) to guarantee your space. Your entrance to Christmas at Kew will be via Brentford Gate which is next to the car park.
Tickets for daytime parking are valid until 3pm so you will need an additional parking ticket for the evening.
The car park closes promptly at 10pm.
National Archives car park
Car parking spaces are available to pre book at the National Archives parking facility (TW9 4DU).
Access to the car park is available 40 minutes ahead of your time slot.
Please note, this car park is pre book only.
Disabled access parking
Parking in Kew’s car park (TW9 3AF) is free to drivers with a disability and displaying the Blue Badge.
You need to buy tickets with reserved parking and select the option for disabled access parking.
Ticket information
Early bird ticket prices (valid until midnight on 28 February 2024)
Non-member adult: Off peak £22.50/ Peak £29.00
Member adult: Off peak £19.50/ Peak £24.00
Ticket prices from 1 March
Non-member adult: Off Peak £25.50 / Peak £32
Member adult: Off Peak £21.50 / Peak £26
Family and child tickets available
Important information
Please note day tickets for Kew Gardens during the Christmas at Kew period are not valid for Christmas at Kew and cannot not be upgraded to a Christmas at Kew ticket. A separate Christmas at Kew ticket is required for entry.
Christmas at Kew does not accept 3rd party vouchers, such as Virgin Experience Days or Red Letter Days, as an example. These are valid for day visits to Kew Gardens only.
If you opt for standard delivery and your tickets have not arrived 24 hours before you are booked on the trail please contact See Tickets customer service.
Contactless ticket scanning will be taking place. On arrival, please ensure you have your tickets ready to scan – either your printed paper ticket, or from your mobile device. Please only arrive at your allocated session time to ensure there is no unnecessary build-up of queues.
Please be aware that we don’t authorise or have any control over the sale of tickets via third-party websites.
At Christmas at Kew
Access
The trail can take up to 2 hours to walk around, whilst stopping for refreshments and seeing all the attractions like Father Christmas, visiting the fairground, toasting marshmallows and taking photos.
The route is on pathways although terrain can vary in different areas of the Gardens. If you or any members of your group are encountering any difficulties, please alert one of our friendly stewards who will do their best to help you, and who can offer possible shortcuts to the exit.
If you have specific access needs please call 020 8332 5655 and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Visual guide
Our visual guide can help you plan and enjoy your visit to Christmas at Kew.
Here you'll find information about what to expect during your visit and top tips to help you have a fantastic time.
The 2024 visual guide will be available in mid-November.
Wheelchairs, mobility scooters and buggies
Christmas at Kew is presented in the natural landscape. Whilst every effort is made to make the trail fully accessible, by its very nature it will cover some difficult terrain with a number of varying gradients. These areas may be challenging during wet weather.
Children's scooters and balance bikes are not permitted on trail.
Wheelchairs are available to borrow on a first come first served basis, these cannot be reserved.
Please note, we do not currently offer advance booking of mobility scooters for Christmas at Kew.
Dogs and pets
Dogs and any other pets are not permitted in Kew Gardens. Registered assistance dogs are permitted.
Food and drink
Take a seat at our Botanical Brasserie overlooking the stunning Palm House Pond. There are four sittings available, before or after your visit to the trail.
The Botanical Brasserie Christmas Dinner is only available with entry via Victoria Gate, as seatings are timed to be able to enjoy the full trail.
There will be a variety of onsite cafes and restaurants as well as independent street food traders along the trail, where you can choose from a range of flavourful food and winter warmers.
Please note, we are operating cashless across our catering units at Christmas at Kew.
Christmas Dinner at The Botanical — Menu
Adults
Arrival drink
Mulled wine
Starters
Pumpkin velouté, wild mushrooms, hazelnuts, toasted pumpkin seeds (PB)
OR
House cured salmon, horseradish, compressed apple, pickled cucumber
OR
Free range chicken terrine, golden raisin & caper purée, warm toast
Mains
Roasted cauliflower, red pepper, cauliflower puree, crisply polenta, herb oil (PB)
OR
Norfolk turkey, chestnut sprouts, roast carrots, glazed parsnips, duck fat roast potatoes
OR
Roasted sea bass, creamed leeks, crushed new potatoes, beurre blanc sauce
Desserts
Spiced apple & blackberry crumble, vanilla ice cream (PB)
OR
Chocolate & clementine torte
OR
Traditional Christmas pudding, brandy cream
Children
On arrival
The Grinch green punch
Starters
Mac and cheese
OR
Cream of tomato soup, fresh basil
Mains
Norfolk turkey, glazed carrots, roast potatoes
OR
Fish and chips, fresh peas
Dessert
Chocolate and clementine tart
OR
Selection of ice cream from Hackney Gelato
Prices:
Adult 3 course dinner: £48.50
Child 3 course dinner: £18.50
What to bring and wear
There are no covered areas during the trail and the paths can get wet so please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather.
The trail is lit, but lighting will be low level in some areas so you may wish to bring a torch. No naked flames (e.g. candles, night lights, flares or lanterns) are allowed.
Photography
Please feel free to take photos along the trail but do be aware of others.
We occasionally use photographs taken at Christmas at Kew for promotional purposes, please talk to a member of staff if you would not like photographs to be used in this way.
Toilets
There are accessible toilets at Victoria Plaza and Brentford Gate.
Fairground tokens
Enjoy our family fairground, where you can find rides suitable for adults and children. Please do note some of the rides are child-friendly only and cannot accommodate an adult accompanying the child.
Tokens are available for £3.50 each on the night or pre-book to collect on the night and get 6 tokens for £18.
These tokens do not include entry to the Christmas at Kew event — a separate ticket is required. Fairground tokens are only available for guests who already have Christmas at Kew tickets.
Please present your fairground voucher to the token booth at the fairground to redeem your pre-paid tokens. Each token allows one ride.
Visiting the Gardens in the day
This ticket does not include entry to Kew Gardens during the daytime.
If you have a Christmas at Kew ticket, you can add on a reduced-entry price ticket to visit Kew Gardens.
Please note: If you are including a visit to Kew Gardens in the daytime, you will need to exit the gardens at 3pm (last entry 2pm) and then re-enter the trail at your designated entry gate and time.
Cancellation, exchanges and refunds
Please be sure that you have chosen the right entry gate, date and time slot at the time of making your booking, as Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and See Tickets are not able to offer exchanges or refunds once tickets have been purchased. We are also not able to offer refunds/duplicates on unwanted/lost tickets.
Inevitably bad weather can affect any open-air experience. If we have to cancel due to safety concerns, visitors will be offered an alternative date. No refunds will be offered simply if the weather is inclement. Any decision to cancel that evening's trail will be taken by 2pm.
If we have to cancel due to weather and patrons are not able to attend an alternative night offered, then a refund will be considered on a case by case basis. Where a refund is due, the ticket must be returned within 28 days of the booked trail.
Safety and security
For the safety and security of everyone at Christmas at Kew we will carry out full security checks at all entrance gates as normal. Your belongings and your person may be searched so please only bring what is essential to your evening.
If you see anything suspicious or any persons acting suspiciously, please tell the nearest member of staff immediately.
Please do not leave any belongings unattended at any time.
Keep your children with you at all times. Ensure they don’t wander into the unlit areas of the Gardens.
Contact
If you have ticket related queries please contact See Tickets customer service.
For any other queries email us at info@kew.org