A SPARKLING trail of over a million lights plus dazzling video displays opens at Kew Gardens tonight as its ever-popular Christmas event returns with some new additions for 2021.

The after-dark experience at the Gardens adds a festive explosion of colour to its fabulous grounds and buildings, while street food stalls provide warming refreshments for visitors to enjoy.

New arrivals for Christmas 2021 include a first-time collaboration with the video design studio Novak on a show in the Palm and Temperate houses.

This artistic illumination uses Kew's own trees as a 'canvas' on which a combination of video design, projection and light will bring botanical illustrations from the Gardens' archive to life, alongside a host of heart-warming festive imagery.

Creative house Mandylights has contributed Spheric, a 15 metre wide dome of light covered in over 2,000 individually controlled LED pixels.

Located in a reflective water pool, Spheric creates a unique mirrored illusion that can be enjoyed by visitors crossing the lake.

Another unmissable new attraction is Aurora at the Holly Walk which shines 200 metres into the sky in a display inspired by the Northern Lights.

Returning favourites include the 12 Days of Christmas tree installation and the stunning Christmas Cathedral of lights, a popular selfie spot for visitors.

A stroll down the Christmas trail will lead to a host of seasonal favourites including freshly-prepared street food, mulled wine and hot chocolate provided by Montezuma's Chocolate.

Visitors can also book a delicious traditional Christmas dinner at The Botanical Brasserie restaurant.

Sandra Botterell, Director of Marketing and Commercial Enterprise at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, said: "It's wonderful to be able to welcome visitors back to Christmas at Kew for 2021.

"As well as some much-loved festive favourites, this year's trail also encompasses some enchanting new installations, taking inspiration from Kew's wonderful living and archive collections.

"With over a million lights illuminating Kew's spectacular botanic gardens, Christmas at Kew really is a seasonal spectacular unlike any other."

Debbie Epstein, Marketing Director for Montezuma's Chocolate said: "We're so excited to be supporting Christmas at Kew for a second year and we're sure this year it will be bigger and better than ever.

"We'll be adding a touch of magic to the trail with our mouth-watering chocolate bars and buttons, and new this year, we'll be serving our signature hot chocolate.

"We'll have our beautiful Christmas Bauble Tree again, which captured the imagination of the children last year, and a Wishing Tree to acknowledge the trials and tribulations everyone has experienced during the pandemic."

Find out more and book a ticket here