SteamLights returns for 2025 to Bluebell Railway, East Sussex

SteamLights Returns, Bluebell Railway

22nd November to 28th December 2025

Christmas Lights & Festive Illuminations

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Wrap up warm and head out after-dark to one of many colourful Christmas light events in South East England.  Wander through dazzling light tunnels and colourful woodlands, marvel at exquisitely dressed Christmas trees and bespoke light installations, be amazed by animated light projections and stunning lantern festivals, all brightening up the long winter nights. These enchanting displays will ignite your holiday spirit, bring festive cheer and are a fantastic way to celebrate this special time of the year. 

Why not catch up with family and friends at one of the free local festive light-switch on's that will be gracing our towns and villages in the lead up to Christmas Day.  With twinkling fairy lights, tasty treats, Christmas carols and late-night shopping, these events are a great excuse to get together and start the festive season as you mean to go on.   

Top Outdoor Christmas Light Trails & Winter Illuminations in the South East

Our featured illuminations showcase some of the best festive lights trail throughout South East England in starting date order. Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the page to find many more across the destination and to explore the seasonal light switch-on events.

  • Illuminated Evenings at Fairytale Farm - Now - 16th November 2025
    This year promises even more sparkle, with new Illuminated Light Fountains and a glowing Fairytale Farm façade, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire
  • Christmas at Blenheim Palace - Now - 3rd January 2026
    The Illuminated Trail is bigger, better and brighter than ever before – featuring spectacular works by international and local artists. Woodstock, Oxfordshire
  • Windsor Great Park Illuminated  Now - 3rd January 2026
    This year’s trail sparkles with exciting new installations alongside returning favourites, making it more magical than ever at The Savill Garden, Englefield Green, Surrey
  • Illuminate Reading - Now - 4th January 2025
    Experience Reading's newest winter light trail and immerse yourself in a magical light trail around the grounds of Forbury Gardens & Abbey Ruins this winter, Reading, Berkshire
  • Christmas Illuminations at Southsea Castle - Now - 23rd December 2026 
    See Southsea Castle lit up like never before as it hosts a magical winter wonderland for all the family, Portsmouth, Hampshire
  • Bedgebury Christmas Lights, Now - 31st December 2025
    Step into a winter wonderland like no other as Christmas at Bedgebury returns, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
  • Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle, Now - 31st December 2025, Maidstone, Kent
  • Christmas at Hever Castle - Now - 2nd January 2026
    Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Hever Castle this Christmas!, Edenbridge, Kent
  • SteamLights at Bluebell Railway - Now - 28th December 2025
    Brighten up the chilly winter evenings with an enchanting seasonal lights spectacular, Uckfield, East Sussex
  • Christmas at Waddesdon -  Now - 4th January 2026
    Join Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild and his beloved dog Poupon on an enchanting trans-European tour, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire 
  • Light Up Sir Harold Hillier  - Now - 3rd January 2026
    Hampshire's largest festive light trail returns this Christmas, Romsey, Hampshire
  • Glow Wild at Wakehurst  - Now - 3rd January 2026
     A new trail full of exclusive installations, handcrafted lanterns, and immersive moments, Haywards Heath, West Sussex
  • Glow Marwell - Now - 3rd January 2026
    Make memories to last a lifetime as Glow Marwell's magical light experience returns this winter brighter than ever before, Winchester, Hampshire
  • The Carnival of the Animals - Lantern Parade - 6th December 2025
    Join Norden Farm as they light up the town at the annual Lantern Parade, Maidenhead, Berkshire

Light Trails and Illumination Events

Take a look below for a full list of Christmas Light Trails and illumination events happening across South East England this winter, with many starting in early November and running until January 2026, giving you plenty of time to head out and enjoy a sparkling-Christmas whether you live here, are on holiday or visiting friends and family over the festive season.

Inspiration

  1. Christmas Ice Rinks
    Get your ice skates on and discover the magical…
  2. Christmas Markets
    Head to South East England for some of the best…
  3. Places to Meet Santa Claus
    Looking for somewhere to meet Santa Claus this…

Number of results:

Number of results: 26

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Christmas at Stansted House

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Havant

    Step inside Stansted House this Christmas and explore the beautiful Edwardian Mansion after it has been decorated for the Festive season.

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 16:00
    From:
    14 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 16:00
    From:
    21 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 16:00
  2. Ramsgate Royal Harbour Christmas Illuminations

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Ramsgate

    Enjoy some Christmas Illuminations with a difference at the Ramsgate Royal Harbour. Pop along and enjoy the festive lights dressed on many of the boats in the harbour during December, and why not stop for dinner at one of the harbour restaurants and…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Dec 2025to21 Dec 2025
  3. Follow the Yellow Brick Road at Hever Castle & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Edenbridge

    Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Hever Castle this Christmas!

    From 21 November 2025 – 2 January 2026, Hever Castle & Gardens is bringing the magic of Oz to life.

    Begin your journey in Dorothy's Kansas farmhouse before being swept along the yellow…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2025to2 Jan 2026Open 11:30 - 18:30
  4. Award-Winning Experience Christmas at Kent Life

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Lock Ln, Maidstone

    A festive extravaganza awaits you at our Christmas Experience! Get ready to say “Ho Ho Ho!” as you embark on a magical journey. The highlight of your visit will be meeting Father Christmas himself in his enchanting grotto. Little ones will be…

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025to24 Dec 2025
  5. Christmas at Bewl Water

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Lamberhurst

    Haven't you heard? The Cheer-O-Meter, the very measure of festive magic, is running low, and only the joy of families like yours can raise it high once more

    Dates

    From:
    15 Nov 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 09:00 - 20:00
  6. Christmas Illuminations at Southsea Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Portsmouth

    Southsea Castle hosts Christmas illuminations and festive fun for all the family.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2025to23 Dec 2025
  7. Christmas at Blenheim Palace

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Woodstock

    There's No Place Like Blenheim Palace – The Iconic Light Trail is Back for 2025

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2025to3 Jan 2026Open 10:00 - 20:30
  8. Steam Illuminations

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Alresford

    Step aboard a steam train transformed into a dazzling spectacle of colour, music, and festive cheer! Steam Illuminations returns with a reimagined experience for 2025 – featuring immersive entertainment, enhanced light displays, and more onboard fun…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2025to4 Jan 2026
  9. Dover Light Up Procession

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Dover

    Head along to Pencester Gardens in Dover for the annual Winter Light Up Dover event on Saturday, 6th December. This festival brings light to the winter months and offers an enchanting range of activities for visitors and residents to enjoy. 

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 19:30
  10. Christmas at Windsor Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Windsor

    Step into Christmas and 1,000 years of royal history at Windsor Castle. From the towering, 20-foot-high Nordmann fir tree, decked with thousands of sparkling lights and shimmering ornaments, to the tiny Christmas tree and miniature garlands in…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2025to5 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
  11. Festive Fun at Bekonscot Model Village & Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Beaconsfield

    The festive season is when the village comes alive with lights and wintery scenes and this year is no different. If you are here in the afternoon as dusk approaches, admire the lights coming on in buildings across the village and how this…

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025to14 Dec 2025
  12. Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Maidstone

    Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle Returns With New Breathtaking Water Fountains Show

    This year, visitors will be treated to an exhilarating new highlight; a breathtaking Water Fountains Show that promises to dazzle audiences with its stunning…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 16:30 - 20:00
  13. Christmas at Bedgebury

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Goudhurst,

    Step into a winter wonderland like no other as Christmas at Bedgebury returns for 2025!

    Immerse yourself in a new, reimagined trail at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, created by the award-winning light trail producers behind events such as…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 16:30 - 20:00
  14. Glow Wild

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Haywards Heath

    Sussex’s award-winning light trail is reimagined for 2025. A new trail full of exclusive installations, handcrafted lanterns, and immersive moments is accompanied by new experiences that promise more festive fun than ever! Just 30 minutes from…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2025to3 Jan 2026
  15. Ramsgate Winter Festival & Winter Lights Lantern Parade

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Ramsgate

    Visit Ramsgate in Kent this Christmas and New Year, and enjoy a series of festive events to bring brightness to the winter months, including the Light Up Ramsgate six-week trail and the fantastic New Year's Eve Lantern Parade.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Dec 2025to25 Jan 2026
  16. Illuminate Reading

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Reading

    Experience Reading's newest winter light trail and immerse yourself in a magical light trail around the grounds of Forbury Gardens & Abbey Ruins this winter. Follow a 30 - 50 minute route filled with beautiful light installations that transform the…

    Dates

    From:
    15 Nov 2025to4 Jan 2026
  17. Winter Warmers at Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Tour

    Chinnor

    Join the trains at either Chinnor or Princes Risborough stations and then sit back, relax and enjoy the winter panorama alongside the Chiltern Hills

    Dates

    From:
    28 Dec 2025to29 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026
    From:
    4 Jan 2026
  18. Christmas - The Candlelight Concert

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Southampton

    Experience the Enchantment of Christmas - The Candlelight Concert in an Unforgettable Festive Musical Celebration presented by Xperience Live

    Prepare to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit as our incredible singers and live band deliver a fresh…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2025Open 19:30 - 21:45
  19. SteamLights at Bluebell Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Special Events

    Uckfield

    Join us for a truly enchanting evening as our Ice Queen summons her powers to light up the train before it steams into the night on a brand-new, family-friendly narrative journey!

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to28 Dec 2025
  20. Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Romsey

    Hampshire's largest festive light trail returns this Christmas as the award-winning Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens transforms the gardens into a glowing wonderland. From 27 November to 3 January, wander through illuminated woodlands, marvel at…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2025to3 Jan 2026Open 16:30 - 21:30