The multi award-winning Light Up Trails return to Sir Harold Hillier Gardens this Christmas with Hampshire’s largest and most loved festive light trail.
Beautifully reimagined for 2026, Light Up Trails becomes Radiance, its most ambitious setting yet. Created as a journey through Starlight, Ember, Colour, Music and Snow, this is a brand-new festive trail where light, music and imagination transform the landscape into a series of memorable after-dark moments.
For the fifth year, tens of thousands of visitors will roll up to marvel at the spectacle created when the popular Romsey attraction – home to some of the UK’s most important plant and tree collections – becomes a beacon of festive joy, ready to captivate and inspire us all.
“We can’t wait to share this year’s trail with our visitors – the response to last year’s trail was overwhelmingly positive, but it has only pushed us to go even bigger!” say creative director Libby Battaglia and hospitality director Lucinda Croft.
“Radiance is designed to awaken the senses. Each world has its own atmosphere, energy and moment of discovery, carrying guests from the first stars overhead to an unforgettable winter finale.”
On arrival, guests pass beneath the star arch as the landscape fills with light and stars gather around the path, creating the feeling of crossing into another world where a journey in light is about to unfold.
“We’ve never made anything quite like this before,” say Libby and Lucinda. “More than 16,000 points of light will transform the National Glade into Ember Garden, creating a landscape that feels alive with warmth, movement and energy.”
An entirely new zone designed by artist James Smith with sound design by Thomas George, it is one of the most technically ambitious worlds created by Light Up Trails. Fireballs glow high in the trees, suspended rings burn with light, and flickering reeds and flame-like forms fill the landscape below. Rich orange colour and specially commissioned music come together to create an atmosphere that feels immersive and alive with heat and movement – warm, immersive and extraordinary.
Once again, at the heart of the trail beneath a brand-new Christmas tree lies the Christmas Village, offering a wide choice of seasonal food and drink.
“From the first star to the final snowfall, Radiance is designed to be felt as much as it is seen,” add Libby and Lucinda.
For more about Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens At Christmas and to book tickets, visit https://www.lightuptrails.com.
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