Cambridge Botanic Lights 2026
- Date
- 27 November - 23 December, 2026
- Start time:
- Times vary by date
- Venue Name
- Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Description
Cambridge Botanic Lights returns for its fourth year - come and join us to celebrate nature after dark on a luminous journey through the extraordinary world of plants. Over 17 winter evenings, from 27 November to 23 December 2026, the Garden will be transformed into a glowing landscape alive with light, music and a touch of winter magic.
Created by local professional lighting company Pearce Hire, in collaboration with the Garden team, the trail is carefully designed to illuminate our unique plant collection in new and surprising ways, highlighting the natural drama of the Garden in winter, alongside bold light installations and soundscapes. Whether you’re visiting with family, friends, colleagues or enjoying a winter evening together as a couple or on your own, it’s an unforgettable experience for all ages – a place to make new winter memories.
Cambridge Botanic Lights is more than just a spectacular event - it plays a vital role in supporting the conservation, horticulture, and education work of Cambridge University Botanic Garden. All ticket income (minus booking fees) goes directly toward maintaining and growing the Garden’s living collection and making it accessible.
By visiting Cambridge Botanic Lights, you’re not only making magical winter memories – you’re helping protect and share one of Cambridge’s most important green spaces for future generations.
For more information: Cambridge Botanic Lights 2026 - Cambridge University Botanic Garden
FAQs: FAQs page
Accessibility: Cambridge Botanic Lights - Accessibility - Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Tickets are available in timed entry slots, starting at 4.30pm, with the final entry at 7pm (the entrance gates will be closed at 7.30pm). Once you are in the Garden, you can take your time to explore the trail (as many times as you like) and leave whenever suits before the Garden closes. The Garden will start to close at 8.15pm and gates will shut at 8.30pm.
This year, for the first time, we have introduced two dates (Thursday 3rd and 10th December) with entirely off-peak pricing. In addition, discounts on both off peak and standard tickets are offered to CUBG Friends, Corporate friends and Cambridge University Students (cards will be checked on entry). There is also a 10% discount when purchasing 6 or more tickets.
Please note that this is an outdoor, winter event, so please dress for the weather! Refunds will only be issued if the Garden is closed for safety reasons and will exclude the booking fee.
Standard Ticket Prices:
Adult: £24.75
Friend/Corporate Friend/CU student: £22.55
4-15 years of age: £17.00
3 and under: Free
Carer of a disabled person: Free
Off-Peak Ticket Prices:
Adult: £18.15
Friend/Corporate Friend/CU student: £16.50
4-15 years of age: £13.50
3 and under: Free
Carer of a disabled person: Free
10% discount when purchasing 6 or more tickets.
Prices include ticket office booking fee.
Accessibility at Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Most of the Botanic Garden is accessible without steps or stairs, with the exception of some heritage features.
For more information please visit the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens Website
Dogs in the Garden
Please note that only trained assistance dogs are permitted to visit the Garden, when supporting a disabled handler.
Toilets
There are accessible toilets behind the Glasshouses, in the Café and at both the Brookside and Station Road Gates. There is a Changing Places toilet at the Station Road Gate. The Café, Brookside Gate and Station Road toilets are gender neutral.