Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle returns from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, transforming the Kent estate into an illuminated evening trail.
Latest Update
The 2026 trail is now booking. Leeds Castle has confirmed returning favourites including the Christmas Cathedral, Fire Garden, Laser Garden and Water Fountain Show, alongside seasonal food and drink stalls and a chance to spot Father Christmas along the route.
Important: This Is a Separate Ticket
Christmas Lights is a separately ticketed third-party event. Leeds Castle annual admission tickets and gift vouchers are not valid for the lights, and a Christmas Lights ticket does not include daytime entrance to the Castle or its daytime attractions.
This matters if you are also planning to see Wallace & Gromit: A Cracking Christmas Caper. That experience runs during daytime admission from 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, so the two experiences have different ticket arrangements.
Dates
Christmas Lights: 20 November 2026–3 January 2027
Location: Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent
Entry times and prices vary by date and availability. Check the live booking calendar before choosing your visit rather than relying on an old advertised price.
What to Expect
The illuminated trail runs through Leeds Castle’s grounds, combining large-scale light installations with festive food and drink. Confirmed returning features include the Christmas Cathedral, Fire Garden, Laser Garden and Water Fountain Show.
Daytime Christmas at Leeds Castle
If you want to make a fuller day of it, Wallace & Gromit: A Cracking Christmas Caper begins on 21 November and is included with daytime admission. Father Christmas at Leeds Castle is also scheduled from 21 November to 24 December 2026, but that experience requires a separate Father Christmas ticket and valid Leeds Castle admission.
Accessibility
Leeds Castle’s estate has accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities. Its standard daytime accessibility information also covers mobility support and free carer arrangements, but Christmas Lights is a separate third-party evening event, so check the event-specific access information for your chosen date before booking.
Getting There
Leeds Castle is near Maidstone in Kent. Southeastern trains serve Bearsted and Hollingbourne, with onward taxi or walking options, and Stagecoach route 510 serves the Leeds Castle area. If travelling without a car, check evening return times carefully because the lights run after the normal daytime attraction hours.
More Christmas at Leeds Castle
The wider December programme includes Christmas Afternoon Tea, Christmas Masquerade Balls, murder mystery dinners, Christmas parties, Casino Nights and New Year’s Eve. These are separate experiences with their own dates, prices and booking terms rather than being included with Christmas Lights.
More Leeds Castle Planning
If you are visiting earlier in the season, see our Leeds Castle Fireworks 2026 guide. Our Art & Sculpture Trails hub also includes the current Leeds Castle Sculpture Trail.
FAQ
When are the Leeds Castle Christmas Lights in 2026?
20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Are Christmas Lights included with Leeds Castle annual admission?
No. The lights are separately ticketed, and annual admission tickets and gift vouchers are not valid for the event.
Does a Christmas Lights ticket include the Castle?
No. Entrance to the Castle and daytime attractions is not included.
Can I see Wallace & Gromit on the same day?
From 21 November 2026, the daytime Wallace & Gromit experience overlaps with the Christmas Lights season. You would need the appropriate daytime admission as well as a separate Christmas Lights ticket.
Official Information
Check the official Leeds Castle Christmas Lights page for live dates, entry slots, prices and event-specific access arrangements before travelling.
