Edinburgh’s Christmas at the Botanics 2026
Below is our review of the 2025 Edinburgh Botanics show – we will be updating this nearer the time. In 2026 the show will be open from the 19th November to 30th December.
One of Edinburgh’s best-loved festive traditions is set to shine once more as Christmas at the Botanics prepares to welcome visitors.
The illuminated trail will see the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh transformed into a glowing celebration of art, colour and nature.
This year’s experience will showcase both international talent and homegrown creativity.
You can visit Christmas at the Botanics:
19 November 2026– 30 December 2026
Opening hours: 4.15pm – 9.45pm (last entry 8.30pm)
Why visit Christmas at The Botanics 2025?
Chicago-based Michael Young will unveil his striking ‘Night Birds’ installation, while acclaimed UK studio NOVAK returns with a bespoke projection that turns Inverleith House into a spectacular canvas of festive light and movement.
Crowd favourites will also make a comeback, including Father Christmas and the celebrated Christmas Cathedral, this year enhanced with a fresh twinkling design that organisers say will ‘dazzle and delight’.
Each feature has been designed with energy efficiency in mind, ensuring the Garden’s unique plant collections remain at the heart of the display.
Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Simon Milne, said: “We’ve got a fantastic line-up of installations for this year’s trail.
“Each one spotlights a unique aspect of the Garden’s landscape and celebrates the vital connection between people and nature.
“From creative interpretations of biodiversity to dazzling displays that enhance our remarkable plant collections, visitors will be captivated by the wonder of the Garden.”
Visitors can warm up with seasonal delights from selected street food vendors to enjoy treats including toasted marshmallows, creamy hot chocolate or a spiced winter warmer.
However, the team at Christmas.co.uk would recommend you take your own snacks or a picnic to help keep down the costs of what could be an expensive family outing.
Also, we know from experience that festive light trails can be very busy – even with selected time slots – so it might be worth going early, just in case.
Christmas at the Botanics takes place at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, located about one mile north of the city centre.
There are two main entrances, each with its own postcode:
- East Gate (Inverleith Row): Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LP
- West Gate (John Hope Gateway on Arboretum Place): Arboretum Place, Edinburgh, EH3 5NZ
This excellent video helps illustrate what you will enjoy:
Buy tickets for Christmas at The Botanics 2025
Tickets are already available, with limited entry times and busy evenings expected to sell out swiftly.
Advance booking is strongly recommended.
- Open dates: 20 November – 30 December 2025
- Opening hours:15pm – 9.45pm (last entry 8.30pm)
- Ticket prices: Adults from £21.50, children from £15, under 3s free
- Parking: On-site parking £8 per vehicle (pre-booking required)
Buy your tickets for Christmas at The Botanic Garden at Ticketek
Christmas at the Botanics is staged by Raymond Gubbay Limited, part of Sony Music, in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.
