Take the gloom out of the darker evenings with a visit to Glow Wild at Wakehurst as they celebrate their ten year anniversary. Bringing festive magic and wonder to the South East with 10 new installations and myriad hand-crafted lanterns. Celebrated as a must-do Christmas experience, the 2023 edition of the winter lantern trail marks a decade of mesmerising memories and community spirit.
What to expect at Glow Wild Wakehurst 2023
This year’s theme invites visitors to reflect on the awe-inspiring moments in the natural world – from epic examples of wildlife to delicate details of plants and fungi. In true Glow Wild tradition, over 1000 lanterns are handmade by local volunteers and community groups, with the tenth anniversary mile-long trail also boasting eight brand new bespoke installations from leading artists.
This year offers a new interactive experience with Wakehurst’s ‘Starkeeper’ from Long Nose Puppets. Visitors young and young at heart are invited to make a wish on a star to hang in the ‘sky forest’ before they continue their journey. Other friendly faces can be found in giant parading peacock, Percy who give a glowing welcome to all entering the gardens.
Beyond the dazzling creations, new to Glow Wild this year is a refreshed catering offer, with pop-up stalls throughout the trail offering comfortable dwelling points to admire installations whilst enjoying hot drinks and snacks. Crackling fire pits located close to the Starkeeper form the perfect spot for toasting marshmallows, whilst festive grab and go options can be found under the UK’s tallest living Christmas tree, the towering 37m stalwart of Wakehurst’s festive offer adorned in 1800 energy-saving bulbs.
Quiet Sessions are available every night at 4.15pm, whilst a series of Relaxed Sessions offer gentle performances adapted especially for children with special educational needs and disabilities. For those looking for the perfect date-night, adult-only slots will run each Friday at 8pm offering a quieter, more intimate experience.
In recognition of the strains faced by many during the ongoing cost of living crisis, Wakehurst has released accessible priced tickets from £11.50 for the opening week of Glow Wild and hopes this, combined with its free tickets for under 4-year-olds, helps families as they prepare for the festive season. The new flexible ticket offer allows bookers to swap or upgrade tickets up to 72 hours before their visit – available for new and existing bookings.
We don’t want to spoil too much of this beautiful installation, you need to experience the magic for yourself! Book your tickets and find more information for Glow Wild at Wakehurst at the link below.
Glow Wild at Wakehurst Ticket information
Tickets onsale here: kew.org/glowwild
Entry time slots every 20 minutes between 4.30pm and 8.20pm on the following dates:
Thursday 23 November – Sunday 26 November
Thursday 30 December – Sunday 3 December
Wednesday 6 December – Sunday 10 December
Tuesday 12 December – Sunday 23 December
Wednesday 27 December – Monday 1 January 2024
Quiet Session slots will be every night at 4.15pm, then 12 time slots every 20 mins, between 4.30pm – 8pm
8pm slots on Fridays during Glow Wild reserved for 18+ only for a quieter experience:
24 November
1 December
8 December
15 December
22 December
29 December
Relaxed Sessions 7/15/19/22 December. These will include gentle performances, adapted especially for children with special educational needs and disabilities, like Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or sensory processing needs.
Ticket prices
Adult: £19
Children (4 – 16): £12
Family (2 adults & 2 children): £60
Wakehurst or Kew member – Adult: £15.50
Wakehurst or Kew member – Family (2 adults & 2 children): £50
Infants (under 4s) and Carers: Free
Accessible pricing (23 to 26 November): From £11.50
Lantern making kit: £4.95
How to get to Glow Wild Wakehurst
Car parking is free.
Shuttle bus from Haywards Heath station: £6.50 Adult Return and £3.25 Child Return.
