Have you visited a magical light trail? They start as the nights get dark in November with many of the Christmas trails ending at the end of the year, however there are usually a number of free displays in public places in January or February. I love that light trails take the magic you get when you see houses all lit up before Christmas and mix it with a structured walk where you don’t have to hunt for the decorations.
There are less events on for 2025, however if you are looking for a light trail near you then check out the list of light trails in Essex, London and Hertfordshire for 2025 to 2026.
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| Lightopia is one of the great light trails in London, Essex and Hertfordshire this year |
Tickets for early evenings, especially at weekends, go quickly as parents try and nab the most child friendly time, but if you can go on a weeknight or a little later in the evenings you might find availability is better (and sometimes cost too).
Skip straight to:
Light trails in Essex
Light trails in London
Light trails in Hertfordshire
Light Trails Near You in Essex, London & Herts
What Is A Light Trail? (And Advice For Visiting One)
Light trails are outside exhibitions which use light and often sound too to create exciting displays. They vary between locations with some taking a subtle approach with trees lit up pretty colours and strings of lights, while others have creative sculptures made of light and interactive displays.
At some venues the light trail is their festive event for the year, but other locations have separate Christmas events normally taking place in the day. As dusk falls they then reopen as the light event. While some venues offer discounted tickets if you want to visit in the day too, you normally have to leave the venue and wait for your evening time slot to re-enter and enjoy the lights.
Wrap up warm and have waterproofs on standby because they often don't have any protection from the elements and they are on even if it's raining (although in high winds or storm conditions they may be closed). Suitable footwear is recommended as the ground can be uneven and muddy.
Some venues ask you not to bring torches (and definitely no head torches or open flames), while others advise you might want to bring one. I would suggest you bring a torch to get to and from the trail and if you want to use it on the trail just be careful not to ruin the light effects for other visitors.
Most venues require prebooking of tickets. Some venues (like Kew gardens) sell out early in the year while others have last minute availability.
Most trails have no re-entry and you can only go through once (the exception seems to be the English Heritage sites) so make sure you bring everything with you and make the most of your time walking through.
Please note the information below is mostly taken from press releases and the venues websites. They are not meant as endorsements of the events. I have visited Enlightened at Hylands multiple times so make sure to check out my reviews if you are interested in visiting these trails.
Light Trails In Essex
Audley End - Audley End House and Gardens, Saffron Walden
Location: Audley End House and Gardens, Off London Road, Saffron Walden, CB11
4JF
Dates and times: This event is not happening at Audley End This Year
Audley End now only have Christmas events running from 29th November until 21st December with a separate option of visiting Father Christmas. They also have a pop up Christmas market on Friday 12th to 14th December. These are all in the day time. Hopefully they will bring back an evening event in the future.
Enchanted - Trail of Light, Colchester Zoo
Location: Colchester Zoo, Maldon Road, Colchester, CO3 0SL
Dates and times: 28th, 29th and 30th November, 5th, 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 28th and 29th December 2025 Entry slots from 16.30 to 19.15.
Tickets: £15 to £17.50 per person. There is no discount for members, but children under 3 go free. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Described as: Illuminations along a one mile trail with light tunnel, animal sculptures, dancing fountains, festive road and appearance by a special guest from the North Pole (pre Christmas dates only).
Useful to know:
The trail can take 1 1/2 hours.
You will not be able to see the animals during the visit.
Free parking.
Toilets and refreshments available (card only).
Enlightened, Barleylands Farm Park, Billericay
Location: Barleylands Farm Park, Barleylands Road, Billericay, Essex, CM11 2UD
Dates and times: This event is not happening at Barleylands this year and it looks like it will not return in future.
Enlightened, Castle Park - Colchester
Location: Colchester Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, C01 1TJ
Dates and times: 12th to 28th December 2025 (excluding 25th and 26th). Entry slots from 4.30pm to 8pm
Tickets: Peak £21.50 adults, £13.50 children. Off peak £14.50 adults, £11 children. Children under 3 are free, but need a ticket.
Described as: "The grounds will be transformed into a magical illuminated light trail for visitors to enjoy with all the family."
Useful to know:
Entrance is by the war memorial on the High Street
The trail is approximately 1.5km and expected to take visitors about an hour (including time to stop and appreciate the displays).
There is no dedicated car park, but Castle Park is in the city centre so there is a choice of car parks nearby.
Refreshments and toilets available.
Organised by Enlightened Moments.
Enlightened, Hylands Estate, Chelmsford
Location: Writtle Entrance off Greenbury Way, Chelmsford, CM2 8FS (the
same entrance you would use for the playground)
Dates and times: 28th November 2025 to 3rd January 2026 Entry slots from 4.30pm until 9pm
Tickets: Peak
£19.50 adults, £13.00 children. Off peak £12.50 adults, £9 children. Children under 3
are free, but need a ticket.
Described as: “A dedicated trail of light around
the ground of Hylands. On the trail there are numerous static and interactive
light up attractions with an enchanting soundscape.”
Useful to know:
The trail is about a mile long and the visit is expected to take about an hour.
Parking is included with your
ticket (so don’t use the parking machines). If you book on a later time slot leave plenty of time to park as there are usually long parking queues at peak times.
Refreshments and
toilets available by the car park. The last couple of years the Stables area was also open half way through for additional food and drink (TBC for 2025).
Dogs on leads have been allowed at past events.
Organised by
Enlightened Moments.
Read my review of our 2022 visit to Enlightened here.
Enlightened, Markshall Estate, Coggeshall
Dates and times: 4th to 31st December (except Christmas Day/ Boxing Day) entry slots from 4.30pm until 7.00pm
Tickets: Peak £21.50 adults, £13.50 children. Off peak start at £12 adults, £8.50 children. Children under 3 are free, but need a ticket.
Described as: A dedicated trail of light around Markshall Arboretum. On the trail there are numerous static and interactive light up attractions with music.
Useful to know:
The trail is about a mile long and the visit is expected to take about an hour.
There is free parking.
Refreshments and toilets available expected to be available.
Dogs on leads are allowed.
Organised by Enlightened Moments.
Epping Ongar Lights Express - Epping Ongar Railway
Location: Epping Ongar Railway. Starting at Station Approach, off Ongar High
Street, Ongar, CM5 9AB
Dates and times: Selected dates from 15th November 2025 to 4th January 2026 (mostly weekends).
Tickets: £20 children, £25 adults, a limited number of private carriages are also available.
Described as:
a light trail with a difference. Instead of walking around and seeing the
lights you get to enjoy them while on a train journey. The train will be lit
up, passengers will have interactive LED wristbands and there will be line side displays as well as on board narration and
music.
Useful to know:
Lasts approximately 90 mins.
Starts at
Ongar station where there is no dedicated parking, but there is street parking
and a pay and display car park at the other end of the High Street. Unlike their normal events the train will not be stopping at North Weald and the heritage bus service
won’t be running.
Refreshments
and toilets available at Ongar station.
Care must be taken on the
platforms and no visitors should walk on the track.
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| Epping Ongar Railway Light Fantastic Event |
RHS Glow 2025 at Hyde Hall
Location: Creephedge Lane, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford CM3 8RA
Dates
and times: Selected dates 21st November to 29th December 2025. Entry slots 4.30pm to
7pm, closes at 9pm.
Tickets: £17.25 adults, £9.25 children. Reduced price for members. Under 5s go
free, but a ticket must be booked for them.
Described as: "n a truly enchanting experience, discover wonderful new installations of colour, music and light, along with festive food and Christmas shopping." Expect beautifully lit plants rather than animals or sculptures.
Useful to
know:
Free car parking.
Refreshments.
Toilets and refreshments available.
It looks like the garden centre will be open for shopping.
Havering Christmas Land
Location: Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch Road RM11 1JRDates and times: It looks like this event might be returning for 2025, but details have not yet been released.
Light Trails In London
Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival, E14
Location: Takes place around the Canary Wharf area. Download the map before
visiting to find all the installations or collect a paper map from a steward.
Dates and times: the 2026 event is being planned, but the details have yet to be released. In January 2025 it ran from 21st January to 1st February between 5pm and 10pm.
Tickets: Not required: the installations are all in
public areas.
Described as: Returning for it’s 10th year the Winter Lights
Festival stands out because firstly it’s in January (after most of the other
trails have been packed away) and secondly it’s free. Expect around 10 new pieces as well as the permanent light artworks around Canary Whard. I loved visiting in previous
years, but it does get very busy. You can download a map or they have people handing out paper copies.
Useful to know:
There are public car parks in Canary Wharf
area, but on weekdays it might be easier to get public transport. At weekends
you can get 3 hours free parking if you spend over £10 in participating shops.
cafés, bars or restaurants.
There are toilet facilities in the shopping
centres.
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| Winter Lights Festival is a free light trail in Canary Wharf in January |
Battersea Power Station Light Festival, Battersea
Location: Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW11 8AL
Dates and times: 2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025 it ran from 23rd January to 23rd February, 8am to 11pm
Tickets: Free, tickets not required.
Described as: In 2025 there were 8 light art installations from British and international artists. Both outdoors and inside the iconic Grade II* listed Power Station. There are also family-friendly workshops, live entertainment and music throughout the festival, some of which need to be booked in advance.
Useful to know:
There are food trucks plus numerous bars and restaurants
Nearest tube station is Battersea Power Station on the Northern Line
Halloween at Kenwood, Hampstead Heath
Christmas at Kenwood, Hampstead Heath
Location: Kenwood, Hampstead Lane, Hampstead, NW3 7JR
Dates and times: In 2025 Kenwood House has an illuminated trail for Halloween running from 17th October to 2nd November. They also have a Christmas event "Neverland at Kenwood" running from 21st November to 3rd January. Entry times 4.30 to 8.30pm
Tickets: Tickets range from £14 to £18 for the Halloween event. For the Christmas event advance prices range from £20 to £32 adults, £12 to £22 children, £1 for under 2s. English Heritage members save £2 per ticket.
Described as: Christmas event described as “This winter, follow Tinkerbell on an unforgettable journey to a place of magic, imagination and adventure. Neverland at Kenwood 2025 invites you to leave the ordinary behind and follow the stars through an enchanting new outdoor light trail like no other."
Useful to know:
Trail expected to be 1.26km,
Refreshments available along the route and in the
Christmas Market. Card payments only.
Toilets available.
There is
also a long list of items on the website it says not to bring which is worth
checking as it includes drinks, food and bags larger than A4 size.
Well behaved dogs allowed.
Christmas at Kew
Location: Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE. Entrance gate depends
on your booking.
Dates and times: Selected dates, 14th November 2025 to 4th January 2026. Entry times 4.20pm to 8pm (closes at 10pm).
Tickets: Peak £34 adults, £22 children. Off peak £27.50 adults, £18 children. Children under 4 are free. Discount for members and family tickets (2 adults and 2 children). It is probably the most popular light trail in the area so book tickets early as they sell out quickly.
Described
as: “Don’t miss spectacular new creations from world-wide artists presented uniquely for the first time in the UK. These larger-than-life illuminations are always unforgettable and to make it even more memorable, glimpse Father Christmas along the way. "
Useful to know:
Trail is
3km long and estimated about 2 hours long.
Bicycles, tricycles, roller skates, skateboards, micro-scooters, balance bikes aren't permitted and must be left at the gates.
Parking is available at
Brentford Gate (must be prebooked, £10 and is a 10 minute walk to the trail).
Parking also available at the National Archives car park, but public transport
is encouraged.
Refreshments available including independent street food. The Botanical Brasserie is not available for meals this year.
Accessible toilets at Victoria Plaza and Brentford Gate.
There are some fairground rides and tokens can be prebooked at a discount or bought on
site.
Christmas Winter Illuminations
Location: Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4SR
Dates and times: 26th November to 28th December, 2025. Entry from 4.30pm to 8.30pm.
Tickets: Adult tickets range from £15 to £24.95, children to £17.50.
Described as: ‘A dazzling winter light trail through Ranelagh Gardens featuring: 1.5km festival illuminated light trail, Light sculptures, Interactive AV Art for children, Curated street food, Christmas market & festive shops, Family rides & activities, Après Ski Bar, Live festive music & choirs, Marshmallow fire-roasting".
Useful to know: 1.5km long trail. There are also some workshops mentioned that you need to book, but I can't see details currently.
The nearest underground station is Sloane Square and overground is Victoria, the 170 bus stops right outside if you need a direct service.
Eltham Palace, Greenwich
Location: Eltham Palace and Gardens, Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, London,
SE9 5NP
Dates and times: Previously Enchanted events and the Spirit of Christmas took place at Eltham Palace, but there doesn't currently seem to be an event planned for 2025.
London Christmas Lights
Of course many of the main shopping streets in London have Christmas lights that are well worth seeing too. It may not be a dedicated trail, but it's free, you can go any evening you want in late November and December and you can check out amazing shop window displays too. Check out this useful walking route to take in some of the best areas.
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| A festive water show in 2022 (Crystal Palace, London) |
If you are near to Kent, then Bedgebury light trail is also worth checking out- running from 21st November to 31st December 2025. Tickets for peak times are £26.00 for adults, £18.00 for children with under 2's free. Off peak tickets are slightly cheaper.
Light Trails In Hertfordshire
While it appears that Lumagica (Willow's Farm and Hatfield House) light trails are again not happening this year, the good news for those living in Hertfordshire is there is a light trail at Ashridge House in 2025. I have included details below as well as other christmassy places to go in Herts this year.
Ashridge House Illuminated, Berkhamsted
Location: Ashridge House, Ashridge, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 1NS
Dates and times: 27th November to 1st January 2026 from 4pm to 8pm (last entry)
Tickets: Tickets from £23.50 to £27.50 adults, £14.40 to £16.50 children plus booking fee. There is also an observation wheel which can be prebooked for £8 adults, £6 children. Under 5s are free but need a ticket.
Described as: "over 20 dazzling installations across the Grade II* listed gardens, with new features, festive favourites, and a show stopping 115ft Observation Wheel offering breathtaking views of Illuminated from above."
Useful to know:
Trail is 1.7km. Average time to walk it expected to take 60 to 75 minutes, but you can take as long as you like to enjoy the trail and "food village full of local vendors".
Refreshments and toilets available.
Parking available.
Dogs are welcome on Wednesday and Thursday evenings
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| A light trail returns to Ashridge House in Hertfordshire for 2025 |
Welwyn Garden City light trail. The Christmas Lights Trail will return to Welwyn Garden City town centre from 15th November until 6th January 2026. Expect it to include light installations including a Christmas bear, tunnel of lights and 'Wilfred' the Christmas dog.
If you are looking for something to get you in the Christmas mood in Hertfordshire then I would suggest maybe a garden centre like Van Hage (Great Amwell, SG12 9RP).
The Magic of Christmas (a Christmas shop with Grotto in Walkern SG2 7PD) opens on 9th October selling anything and everything associated to Christmas. You can also book tickets for the Grotto via their website.
There is also a Christmas Fair at Knebworth House on Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd November 2025.
Harpenden have a Christmas Carnival and light switch on on Sunday 23rd November 2025 featuring a Farmers’ Market, Santa's Grotto, Funfair, live entertainment from Midday to 6pm. Last year the light switch on was at 5pm.
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| Visitors at Lumagica were greeted by a Hummingbird display |
For more Christmas magic why not go outdoor ice skating or choose your own tree from a Christmas Tree Farm? Check out where the Christmas Tree Farms are in Essex here.
If you are struggling to get your children outside in the colder weather then check out this post on how to be an outdoor family in winter.
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