If you're looking for a magical Christmas experience then why not explore an outdoor light trail? These after dark adventures are so exciting for children and adults alike!
There are two large scale experiences in Nottingham and many more in the neighbouring counties. Read on to find out more!
These have all been confirmed for 2023 with tickets available to book now. We will add any more events announced soon.
We're also looking ahead to 2024 - while it's not been officially confirmed, we hope to see Nottingham Light Night return early next year too. Its an amazing free event in the centre of Nottingham so really accessible for all.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Rufford Abbey Country Park NG22 9DF
About
WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ
Discover some of the amazing characters from the wonderful Wizard of Oz. Follow Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and Cowardly Lion as they travel to the Emerald City! Let the little ones scale the Abbey walls and enjoy the night time wonder of the Adventure Play Area.
Dates
20-22 October | 25-29 October | 1-5 November
Entry times from 5pm to 7:30pm (estimated walk time 60-75 minutes)
Prices
Adult 16+ – £22.00
Child 3-15 – £11.00
Family (2 adults & 2 children) – £57.00
Parking
£2.50
Discounts
Save 10% off full price tickets if booked before 20 October 2023
Midweek tickets are cheaper (Weds and Thurs)
Wollaton Hall and Deer Park, NG8 2AE
About
Christmas at Wollaton is a spectacular trail of festive themed light installations set within the grounds of Wollaton Hall. The installations have been designed to fit into the natural landscape of the Hall and Gardens and will surprise and delight adults and children alike as they walk around the trail. Every year we design a brand new trail featuring new installations, no year is the same as the last!
Dates
1st December 2023 – 1st January 2024
Closed Monday 4th December and Monday 25th December (Christmas Day)
Entry times 4pm -8pm (varies)
Prices
These prices include a booking fee:
Adult - Peak £29 / Standard £24.50 / Off Peak £21.25
Child (3-16) - Peak £21.75 / Standard £18.50 / Off Peak £14.25
Family (2 Adults 2 Children) - Peak £92.05 / Standard £74 / Off Peak £61
Groups (15+ Adults) - Standard £22 / Off Peak £20
Under 3s free
Parking
£5
Discounts
Early Bird discount ended in August
Nottingham City Residents get 10% off (need council tax reference)
NHS 10% discount
DERBYSHIRE
Derwent Gardens, Matlock Bath DE4 3NS
About
Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent. The boats can only be viewed on admission into the gardens. There are fantastic firework displays on selected evenings. The fireworks light up the skies around Matlock Bath in multi-colours. The firework displays begin at 9pm.
Dates
Saturdays and Sundays
The season starts on Saturday 9 September and runs until Sunday 29 October.
Light displays start around 7.30pm
Prices
Firework Nights
Adult £7.50 in advance /£9 on the night
Child Free when accompanied by an adult
Concession (disabled and pensioner) £6.50 in advance/£8 on the night
Non Firework Nights
Adult £6.50 in advance /£8 on the night
Child Free when accompanied by an adult
Concession (disabled and pensioner) £5.50 in advance/£7 on the night
Parking
No dedicated parking - there is park and ride and some local parking options. Prices vary
Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derby, Derbyshire, DE73 7JF
About
As darkness settles this Christmas, see Calke lit up in festive lights, from the Stableyards and Pleasure Grounds to St Giles Church and the Servants’ Tunnels.
Take in scenes of a dreamy Christmas Eve, inspired by the state bed at Calke and a magical Christmas morning in the Pleasure Grounds. Don’t miss the carnival inspired Stableyards, complete with a carousel, shadow puppet theatres and a refreshment pod, where you can purchase hot and cold drinks, and light snacks
Dates
See Calke lit up in festive lights from 3.30pm – 6pm every weekend in December.
Prices
Booking not needed for this special event, normal admission applies.
Adults £7
Children £3.50
Family £17.50
Under 5s Free
To provide this event without an additional ticket cost, we rely on the support of National Trust members and all our visitors. If you’ve had a great time, please help us by making a small donation before you leave, so we continue to bring Christmas to Calke for years to come.
Parking
Free
National Memorial Arboretum, DE13 7AR
About
Join us for an evening to remember as we light-up the Arboretum after hours and begin the festive season with a kaleidoscope of colour.
With something to captivate visitors of all ages, Illuminated Arboretum will take place across our 150-acre woodland site. Follow Illuminated Arboretum through our gardens and enjoy the majesty of the Arboretum at night.
The Illuminated Arboretum route is approximately 1 mile long, commencing around 200m from the entrance to the Remembrance Centre.
Dates
07 - 23 December 2023
Timed entry between 4.30pm and 7.30pm
Prices -Advance Tickets
Adults £19
Children (5-15) £9
Under 5s Free
Carers Free
Parking
£4 when pre-booked
£6 on the day
Chatsworth House, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1PP
About
Discover the ‘Palace of Advent’ this Christmas. Tickets include entry to the house, garden and farmyard (visits 4 – 26 November also include entry to the Christmas market). Pre-booking is essential.
The countdown to Christmas has begun as Chatsworth is transformed into The Palace of Advent. Discover 24 rooms filled with Christmas wonder and the sights, sounds and scents of the season. Travel under archways adorned with candy canes, handmade Christmas stockings and mistletoe. Explore a winter wonderland and glittering Christmas tree brooch forest.
Dates
4 November 2023 – 7 January 2024
Prices
CHRISTMAS AT CHATSWORTH - Include admission to the house, garden, light trail, farmyard and playground and car park.
Adult £34
Child £19
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children) £84
CHRISTMAS IN THE GARDEN -Ticket includes access to the garden, festive light trail and car park on the day. Does not include access to the house, farmyard or playground
ADULT £18.50
CHILD £11
FAMILY (2 adults, up to 3 children) £46
Under 3s are free
Parking
Included
LINCOLNSHIRE
Belton House, National Trust, Belton, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 2LS
About
Look forward to some time together with loved ones, as you explore a magical trail with new lights for 2023. Discover larger-than-life flowers, a jolly flock of glittering robins, and wander through rainbow coloured trees - all new this year.
Dates
Fri 24th Nov - Sun 26th Nov, Fri 1st Dec - Sun 3rd Dec, Fri 8th Dec- Sun 10th Dec, Thurs 14th Dec- Sun 24th Dec, Tue 26th Dec - Sun 31st Dec
Prices - Off Peak timeslots available most days
Adult Peak - £22.50 (£24.50 on the day)
Adult Standard - £21.50 (£23.50 on the day)
Adult Off Peak - £15.00 (£17.00 on the day)
Child Peak - £17.00 (£19.00 on the day)
Child Standard - £15.00 (£17.00 on the day)
Child Off Peak - £10.00 (£12.00 on the day)
Family (2 adults & 2 children) Peak - £76.00 (£84.00 on the day)
Family (2 adults & 2 children) Standard - £70.00 (£78.00 on the day)
Family (2 adults & 2 children) Off Peak - £47.00 (£55.00 on the day)
Under 3s are free
Carers are free
Parking
Book parking when booking tickets - £8
Parking is free for National Trust Members
Lincoln Castle, Castle Square, Lincoln, LN1 3AA
About
You will be able enjoy the castle grounds bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features, take a trip down Candy Cane Lane, and give your warmest season’s greetings to our resident castle dragons – Lucy and Norman. The castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk so visitors can see this historical landmark in a sparkling, festive light and take in the beautiful night-time views across the city and county. Then it's all aboard our ‘Mini Polar Express’ before enjoying other traditional fairground rides beloved by young and old.
Dates
From Friday 8 December until Saturday 23 December
Times: 4 – 9pm at weekends and 5.30 – 9pm on weekdays
Prices The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience can be enjoyed for
£11 (adult)
£10 (concession)
£6 (child)
£28 (family)
Under 5s Free
or you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (under 5s free).
Parking
Local town centre parking available
LEICESTERSHIRE
Abbey Park, Abbey Park Rd, Leicester LE4 5AQ
About
This is a night-time outdoor attraction that illuminates a dedicated trail of light around the grounds of the venue. On the trail there are numerous static and interactive light up attractions with an enchanting soundscape. The Enlightened trails have been newly designed for 2023 with event more installations. Refreshments and toilet facilities will be available.
The trail is approx 1 mile in length
Dates
16th November to 24th December 2023 First Entry is 17:00h and then slots every 15 minutes until 20:30h.
Prices
Off Peak - Mon-Thurs until 13th December
Adult (16 and over) £12.50
Child (3-16) £9
Infant (Under 3s) FREE
Carer FREE
Peak - Weekends and everyday 14th-24th December Adult (16 and over) £18.50
Child (3-16) £12.50
Infant (Under 3s) FREE
Carer FREE
Parking
No onsite parking - local parking is available
Discount
Early Bird discount ended in March!
STAFFORDSHIRE
Shugborough Estate, Milford, near Stafford, Staffordshire, ST17 0UP
About
A spectacular, illuminated trail, full of wonder and intrigue, to delight and enthral your senses. As darkness descends, join us on our enchanting journey, as we weave a captivating light trail through the stunning, historic grounds of Shugborough Estate. Immerse yourself in our mesmerising mile long trail, with stunning lighting elements and fabulous light play, all set to ambient music. A timeless experience to be enjoyed by all, young and old alike.
Dates
1st December to 24th December 2023
Entry times from 4.30pm to 8pm
The trail will take approximately 60 - 90 minutes.
Prices
Monday to Thursday up to Wednesday 20th December 2023 Adult: £16.75 Child: £12.25 Family: £56.50
Friday, Saturday & Sunday Adult: £21.25 Child: £15.75 Family: £69.50
Children aged 2 and under are free but need a ticket
+ £2.50 booking fee
Parking
Free but very limited - parking is not guaranteed
WARWICKSHIRE and WEST MIDLANDS
Westbourne Rd, Birmingham B15 3TR
About
A spectacular, illuminated trail, full of wonder and intrigue, to delight and enthral your senses. As darkness descends, join us on our enchanting journey, as we weave a captivating light trail through the stunning, historic grounds of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Immerse yourself in our mesmerising almost mile long trail, with stunning lighting elements and fabulous light play, all set to ambient music.
Dates
25th November 2023 - 2nd January 2024
Entry times from 4.30pm to 8pm
The trail will take approximately 60 - 90 minutes.
Prices
Monday to Thursday up to Thursday 14th December 2023 Adult: £16.75 Child: £12.25 Family: £56.50
Friday, Saturday & Sunday and everyday from Monday 18th December 2023 Adult: £21.25 Child: £15.75 Family: £69.50
Children aged 2 and under are free but need a ticket
Carers go free. Tickets must be pre-booked online in advance.
Parking
Onsite parking for blue badge holders only
Local parking available
Coombe Abbey, Brinklow Rd, Binley, Coventry CV3 2AB
About
Luminate is set within the historic grounds of Coombe Abbey Park and transforms the space with stunning lighting elements and light play set to ambient music.
Dates & Times
24th November 2023 - 2nd January 2024
Entry times from 4.30pm to 8pm
The trail will take approximately 60 - 90 minutes.
Prices
Monday to Thursday
up to Thursday 14th December 2023
Adult: £16.75
Child: £12.25
Family: £56.50
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
and everyday from Monday 18th December 2023
Adult: £21.25
Child: £15.75
Family: £69.50
Under 3s go free but need a ticket
Carers go free.
Parking
Free
Discounts
Blue light card - 10%
Warwick Castle, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 6AH
About
An illuminated magical light trail through the castle grounds and gardens. There are also other Christmas experiences including stories with Santa and Ice Skating for additional costs.
Dates
25th November to 7th January (closed 25th Dec)
Prices
45 minute Light Trail Experience Only: £16.50-£20 pp
Daytime entrance to Warwick Castle plus light trail: £27.50-£35
Under 3s Free
Parking
£6 at the main car park
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