Lantern parades, carol concerts and glowing gardens. Plus the surprise news that Waddesdon is taking a year off. Here’s where to find this year’s Christmas magic.
There’s something about Christmas lights. Grown-ups who complain about the cold will stand in a muddy field for an hour to watch a tree change colour. We’re the same.
Here’s where to find the sparkle near you this year.
First, the surprise
If Christmas at Waddesdon is a family tradition, we’re sorry to be the ones to tell you. Waddesdon is taking a break in 2026 for important conservation work. It’s due back in 2027.
On our doorstep
- Saturday 28 November: Christmas Festival, Amersham on the Hill.
- Wednesday 2 December: Beaconsfield Festival of Lights, run by the Rotary Club. Expect a children’s lantern parade with a marching band, two open-air stages, stalls across the New Town and a food court. Money raised goes to good causes.
- Thursday 10 December: Amersham Town Council’s Community Carol Concert, 6.15pm to 7.30pm.
- Old Amersham Christmas Festival: date to be announced. Last year it was the first Friday in December, with the tree lit at 6pm.
Worth the drive
- Christmas at Kew, London: from 13 November to 3 January (selected dates).
- Christmas at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire: from 13 November to 3 January.
- Ashridge House Illuminated, Hertfordshire: from 20 November to 2 January (selected dates). Just up the road from Berkhamsted.
- RHS Glow, Wisley, Surrey: from 20 November to 3 January (selected dates), with adult tickets from £6.50.
- Christmas at Bedgebury, Kent: from 20 November to 31 December (selected dates).
- Glow Wild, Wakehurst, Sussex: from 26 November to 2 January (selected dates).
- Leonardslee Lights, West Sussex: from 27 November to 30 December.
Most of these need booking in advance, and the best nights sell out early.
Something for the journey
Long drive to the lights? Put Radio Christmas on in the car. We’re live from 1 December on the Radio Christmas app, at radiochristmas.co.uk, and on your smart speaker.
Running an event?
Tell us! We love giving local Christmas events a shout-out on air in December. Send us the details and we’ll add it to our What’s On list.
A light in the dark
For the children we work with in Guatemala and Honduras, the brightest light at Christmas isn’t on a tree. It’s a door that opens. A hot breakfast. A mentor who turns up every single day.
Every penny you give to Radio Christmas goes straight to the projects in Central America that help over 800 children every week.