Christmas at Kew 2026: Tickets, Dates and Where to Park
Everything you need to know about Christmas at Kew 2026 tickets, dates and parking.
Christmas at Kew 2026 Parking Guide: Dates, Ticket Prices and Spaces Near Kew Gardens
Christmas at Kew lights up London's largest UNESCO World Heritage Site from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, and parking is the part that catches people out. There's no parking on Kew Road, the streets around the Gardens are permit-controlled on event evenings, and peak December dates sell fast. Sort your space first and your evening starts the moment you step out of the car, not after twenty minutes of circling.
Book your Christmas at Kew parking
Book Christmas at Kew Parking
Book your Christmas at Kew parking before you lock in your trail time, so you know exactly where the car is going and how far you'll walk to your gate.
Choose your price point. Spaces near Kew Gardens start from £1.40 an hour or £5.20 a day, from private driveways to local car parks.
Save on turn-up prices. Pre-booking can save drivers up to 40% compared with paying on the day.
Extend your stay in the app. Where a space allows it, you can add time from your phone if you linger over the mulled wine.
Skip the circling. A confirmed space means no hunting for a legal spot on streets that are restricted on event evenings.
Christmas at Kew 2026 Dates and Times
Season: Friday 13 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
Closed: Monday 16 November, Monday 23 November, Saturday 28 November and Friday 25 December.
Entry slots: 4.20pm to 7.40pm, depending on your entry gate. Last entry is 7.20pm at Elizabeth Gate and 8pm at Victoria Gate.
Closing time: 10pm, or 9pm on 24 December (last entry 7pm at Victoria Gate and 6.20pm at Elizabeth Gate that night).
Adult-only evenings (18+): Thursday 3 December and Wednesday 9 December, new for 2026.
Quiet Access sessions: 21 November, 1, 16 and 26 December, for visitors with hidden disabilities. These must be pre-booked.
Christmas at Kew Tickets 2026: Prices and How to Book
Advance booking is essential. Prices include a £1 booking fee, and cheaper off-peak dates are 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 and 30 November, plus 1 and 2 December.
Adult: £29.50 off-peak, £37 peak.
Kew member adult: £25.23 off-peak, £31.60 peak.
Child (4–15): £20 off-peak, £24 peak. Under-4s go free but still need their own ticket.
Family (2 adults, 2 children): £89 off-peak, £108 peak.
Flexible entry: Anytime tickets are £61 for adults and £41 for children. A limited any-day, anytime ticket is £101.
Christmas at Kew tickets don't include daytime entry to the Gardens, though you can add a daytime upgrade when booking (£12 adults, £5 children). Buy only through Kew's own booking page, as Kew doesn't authorise third-party ticket sales.
What to Expect on the Christmas at Kew Trail
The 3km trail takes a little over two hours at a gentle pace, longer if you stop for the fairground, toasted marshmallows and Father Christmas. New for 2026 are world premiere installations, including Infinite Choir by Squidsoup, Drift by Studio Vertigo, a floral meadow from French collective TILT and an animated willow tree by ITHACA. Returning favourites include the Christmas Cathedral, the Fire Garden, the Pealight Tree on Holly Walk, the Temperate House light show and the Palm House Pond display with chandeliers and a fountain show.
The paths are outdoors with no cover, so dress for the weather. Plan your parking around the whole evening: a 4.20pm slot plus two-plus hours on the trail means you'll want your space until at least 10.30pm.
Where to Park for Christmas at Kew
Pick the gate you've booked, then park as close to it as you can. Lion Gate isn't an entry point for the trail, so aim for Victoria Gate or Elizabeth Gate.
Park near Elizabeth Gate (TW9 3AE). Driveways around Kew Green are about a 4-minute walk from the gate, and it's the natural choice if you're booked in through Elizabeth Gate.
Park near Victoria Gate (TW9 3JR). Streets off Kew Road, such as Eversfield Road, are roughly 7 to 8 minutes' walk. Spaces beside Kew Gardens station are about 5 minutes from the main entrance.
Park near Kew Bridge. Spaces close to Kew Bridge station in Brentford put you roughly 800m from Elizabeth Gate, handy if you're arriving from the M4 or the north side of the river.
Explore more of Richmond. If the closest spaces are taken, a short drive further out keeps your options open.
From the M4, junction 1 is only a few minutes from Kew Green, with the A316 linking on to the M3 and M25.
Parking Restrictions Around Kew Gardens
No parking on Kew Road. Cycle lanes run in both directions, so don't gamble on a kerbside space.
North Kew event zone. On signposted event days, Richmond Council's controlled zone runs from 10am to 11pm and is permit-only for residents and their visitors. Park illegally and you risk a Penalty Charge Notice.
Blue Badge holders. The council permits Blue Badge parking within the event zone on event days.
Don't rely on side streets. Most residential roads near the Gardens are restricted, so a booked driveway or car park space is the safe bet.
London Charges for Christmas at Kew
Kew sits outside the Congestion Charge zone, so central London's daily charge doesn't apply to a trip to the Gardens. It is inside the ULEZ, which costs £12.50 a day for non-compliant vehicles, 24 hours a day. Check your number plate on the TfL website before you travel. Planning to cross the capital first? Browse London parking to find spaces closer to wherever else you're heading.
Getting to Christmas at Kew by Public Transport
Tube and Overground: Kew Gardens station is 500m from Victoria Gate, on the District line (Richmond branch) and London Overground. Check TfL for planned track closures on the dates you're visiting.
Rail: Kew Bridge station is 800m from Elizabeth Gate, with services from Waterloo via Vauxhall and Clapham Junction. There's no level access at Kew Bridge, whereas Richmond has lifts and level access.
Bus: Route 65 stops close to Elizabeth Gate, route 110 serves Kew Gardens station and Elizabeth Gate, and routes 237 and 267 stop at Kew Bridge station.
Christmas at Kew Parking FAQs
Where can I park for Christmas at Kew 2026?
Book a JustPark space within walking distance of your gate: driveways around Kew Green for Elizabeth Gate, streets off Kew Road or near Kew Gardens station for Victoria Gate, or Kew Bridge for a slightly longer walk. Booking ahead guarantees your space before you set off.
Is there free parking near Kew Gardens?
Realistically, no. Kew Road has no parking at all, and nearby residential streets are permit-controlled on event days from 10am to 11pm. Pre-booking from £1.40 an hour is a safer and cheaper route than risking a Penalty Charge Notice.
How much does Kew Gardens parking cost?
Spaces near Kew Gardens start from £1.40 an hour or £5.20 a day on JustPark. Prices vary by distance to the gate and the date, so book early for peak December evenings.
How long should I book parking for at Christmas at Kew?
The trail closes at 10pm and takes over two hours to walk, so book from mid-afternoon to around 10.30pm. That covers your arrival, the walk back to the car and any detours to the fairground.
Is there accessible parking near Kew Gardens?
Use the accessibility filter on JustPark to find spaces suited to your needs, and book one close to your gate. Blue Badge holders are permitted to park in the North Kew event zone on event days. Bear in mind the trail covers varied gradients and can be challenging in wet weather.
Is there EV charging near Kew Gardens?
Some JustPark spaces nearby offer EV charging, so check each listing before you book. Zap-Map is also handy for locating public chargers in the area.
Live Near Kew Gardens? Earn Extra Income by Renting Out Your Driveway
Even if you're not heading to the trail yourself, renting out your driveway over the Christmas at Kew season could bring in welcome extra income. Events draw thousands of visitors to Kew every evening for seven weeks, and hosts near sports grounds and arenas earn 57% more annually. Use scheduled pricing to charge more on peak December evenings, and you stay in control of when your space is available.
Ready for Christmas at Kew?
Tickets for peak December dates go quickly, and so do spaces close to the gates. Reserve your parking now, then spend the evening on what matters: the lights, the fire garden and a hot chocolate in your hands. Arrive relaxed, on time and ready for the magic.
Book your Christmas at Kew parking
