What is Christmas all about? Family, of course, then presents, followed by food. It’s also about that magical sensation you get seeing December lit up by twinkly and dazzling explosions of colour and light. That feeling and more are contained within these Christmas light trails, endless gleaming lights that just scream ‘Festivities!’ So, to put you in the festive spirit, here are the most magical Christmas light trails you can find in and Birmingham.
1. Lumiate at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The “UK’s number one festive light trail” has welcomed 1 million visitors nationally since it launched in 2019. Luminate returns to Birmingham Botanical Gardens this Christmas for an illuminated journey ahead of the festive season.
Weaving your way through stunning light elements and interactive light play, all set to a beautiful soundtrack, with a display featuring butterflies, green fireflies and a Mirrorball Lagoon. New for Birmingham this year, discover a stunning laser and searchlight show set to a medley of music. Plus, the ever-popular Make a Wish fairies return to make a lucky visitor’s dream come true!
Lumiate at Birmingham Botanical Gardens runs from Friday, November 28, to Thursday, January 1.
2. Winter Glow
The West Midlands’ biggest light trail returns with a magical offering of activities this festive season. Winter Glow‘s light trail features a new story and theme, alongside brand-new installations.
Your ticket also includes free access to a local Christmas market, an indoor fairground, and Winter Glow’s very own Winter Bar. The beloved Santa’s Grotto will also return as an immersive adventure into a winter wonderland this year—complete with elf circus training! Plus, have a game of glow-in-the-dark mini golf on the 18-hole course, or skate along to festive classics on the region’s largest covered real ice rink.
Winter Glow returns to the Three Counties Showground in Malvern from November 21 to December 31.
3. The Enchanted Gardens
The Enchanted Gardens is back for a fifth year at the massive garden centre in Wychbold. This time, Webbs is bringing the much-loved children’s classic Wizard of Oz to life through a mixture of theatrical sets, lanterns, projections, and enchanting sounds. Follow the yellow brick road to the gates of the Emerald City, where you can even stop by Santa’s snow-covered workshop and house for festive photographs. You can learn more here.
The Enchanted Gardens at Webbs will be open from Thursday, November 20, to Saturday, January 3.
4. Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle‘s historic grounds will transform into a stunning festive display, boasting over half a million twinkling lights. The interactive trail starts with a breathtaking new Cathedral-style light tunnel, before 15 brand-new magical experiences, 41 enchanting installations, and 4 new showpieces.
Highlights include a glowing jousting arena that brings medieval drama to life, enchanted illuminated woodland paths, and hands-on interactive displays for the whole family. Mesmerising projections will once again bring the historic castle walls to life with even more Instagram-worthy scenes to capture the magic. Plus, don’t skip the open-air ice rink, storytelling sessions with Father Christmas, or the festive Food & Drink Village.
The festive light trail returns to Warwick Castle from Saturday, November 22, to Sunday, January 4.
5. Trentham Winter Light Trail
Trentham Gardens will transform into a spectacle of interactive displays, captivating soundscapes and larger-than-life illuminations. With over a mile of magical illuminations, captivating soundscapes and interactive displays, expect everything from sparkling tree lines, tunnels of light and giant illuminations. If that’s not enough, there’s a kids’ funfair and a fire to toast your own marshmallows.
The Winter Light Trail at Trentham Estate will take place from Friday, November 21, to Sunday, January 4.
6. Illuminated Arboretum
The National Memorial Arboretum is home to over 150 acres of woodland and an overwhelming 25,000 trees. Every Christmas, it somehow becomes even more breathtaking as the trees light up after hours with kaleidoscopic colour. The mile-long Illuminated Arboretum uses light, colour and sound to bring the fascinating stories of the Arboretum to life in an entirely new way—with everything from hands-on fun to areas for personal reflection. You can learn more here.
The Illuminated Arboretum is on from December 05 to 22.
7. Spectacle of Light
Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle is one of the longest-running light trails in the Midlands and is just over an hour’s drive from Birmingham. Now in its 10th year (November 22 to December 30), this year’s trail takes on the much-loved theme of ‘King Arthur’. Meet mythical characters, such as Guinevere, Lancelot and Merlin, a discover the hidden location of Arthur’s great sword, Excalibur—is it in the stone or the lake?
Set around Sudeley Castle’s ten award-winning gardens, historic ruins, and woodland, the trail even passes Queen Katherine Parr’s tomb (Henry VIII’s sixth and surviving wife). Bathed in soft, glowing candlelight, it is the only UK festive light trail with such a significant historical element. Visitors can also visit the Castle gift shop afterwards to browse unique Christmas gifts and souvenirs. To learn more, head here.
Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle is on from November 21 to December 30.
8. Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is best known for standing in for Buckingham Palace in the Regency romance, Bridgerton. But this Christmastime, its after-dark, illuminated trail will be glowing with unique works from international and local artists, with a glimpse of Father Christmas along the way. Inside, the grand house itself has transformed into the magical Land of Oz—follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City, where Dorothy awaits!
Visit the light trail at Blenheim Palace from Friday, November 14 to Saturday, January 3.