Twixmas, those languorous days between Christmas and New Year, can be a strange time. In the aftermath of the festive frenzy, with the leftovers devoured and TV specials ticked off, boredom can start to creep in – along with a burning desire to get out of the house.
It’s the perfect moment to swap sofa-slumping for a restorative sprinkle of midwinter magic – and Kew Gardens’ winter lights are an experience to enchant every member of the family.
Now in its 12th year, Christmas at Kew’s 1.8 mile light trail is more spectacular than ever, leading visitors on a journey through eight new illuminated installations as well as firm favourites, myriad lasers and stunning projections guaranteed to reignite a sense of calm and wonder after the Christmas chaos.
I enjoyed a pre-Christmas visit to the gardens in south-west London with my five-year-old son, Nat, avoiding the crowds by using flexible entry, courtesy of Mastercard’s Priceless experience at Kew, which also includes exclusive treats. We were both captivated from the very start as we spotted the Palm House, the magnificent Victorian glasshouse built in 1844, lit up in ever-changing jewel tones. The lake in front was scattered with some 100 vast illuminated waterlilies, appearing to pulse with iridescent colour to a soundtrack of world music. Standing on the newly installed bridge for a better view, we were mesmerised.
Farther along the trail, children, including Nat, loved conducting the Christmas Orchestra display, a new piece by Culture Creative and Filament, featuring lights illuminating in time to festive orchestral music. Dancing to disco classics including Chic’s Le Freak on a huge, colourful dancefloor was another big hit.
With twinkling stars, technicolour trees and glowing sculptures around every corner, there’s always something new to marvel at, keeping you – and little ones – constantly engaged. The fire garden, with a carpet of flickering flames laid against the backdrop of the Palm House, is a must-see, as is the Christmas Cathedral, a luminous tunnel adorned with thousands of shimmering lights.
My highlight was the breathtakingly beautiful Mycelium Network by Custom Fibre Optics. Crafted from thousands of slender fibre optic strands that mimic underground systems of fungal threads – known as mycelium – the display reflects Kew’s research into the millions of species of fungi that underpin life on Earth. As the strands pulsate with different colours, they glow with an otherworldly radiance, as though spun by fairies – or, as Nat suggested, elves.
Other new displays include In Bloom, by Dutch artist Wilhelmusvlug, which evokes delicate flower petals dancing through the air, and the projecting of images of seeds, plants and archive photographs that celebrate the vital role that Kew’s sister site, Wakehurst, plays in conserving rare plants at the Millennium Seed Bank, which celebrated its 25th year in 2025.
There’s even a fairground with all the traditional rides, from a carousel to a helter skelter. Our trip on the big wheel gave us a welcome break, as well as wonderful views, with dazzling displays visible in every direction. The trail can take up to two hours, and if little legs get tired along the path, there are plenty of places to rest, with stalls selling street food such as hotdogs, burgers and wood-fired pizza. Nat sipped hot chocolate as we walked, while I opted for equally warming mulled wine – the perfect accompaniment to all the wonderful sights and sounds.
At fire pits in front of the Temperate House, we toasted huge, puffy marshmallows – a complimentary part of our exclusive Mastercard Priceless experience, and Nat’s favourite treat. The cosy sweetness of it all made the spectacular finale even more special. The glasshouse, home to thousands of rare temperate species, transformed into a dazzling celebration of light, with lasers, projections of falling snowflakes, shimmering geometric shapes – all to the soundtrack of festive classics.
So if you’re seeking an activity to restore that festive glow and bring a touch of wonder to the Twixmas slump, Kew’s winter lights are the ideal antidote.
A Twixmas treat
Keep the festive fun rolling with exclusive access to priceless experiences from Mastercard. Visit priceless.com/christmas-experiences-london
