Giant iceberg will feature in new and ambitious Sussex winter lights trail for 2026 – and tickets are now on sale

Now in its 13th year, Glow Wild, based at Wakehurst near Haywards Heath, will take visitors across uncharted waters to polar landscapes and into the wild.

Running on selected evenings from Thursday, November 26, to Saturday, January 2, Glow Wild invites explorers of all ages to set out on an after-dark expedition for a night of discovery, spectacle and festive escapism.

Glow Wild is raising the bar for 2026 with a new collection of large-scale installations and artworks created exclusively for Kew Wakehurst.

At almost five metres high, a giant illuminated iceberg will become Glow Wild’s tallest lantern to date, forming part of a dramatic polar landscape from artist Kerith Ogden. Featuring 68 penguins and 1,000 fish, Ogden’s polar region will come alive under a dancing Aurora Australis lights commission from The Colour Project.

Glow Wild Producer, Louise Burton says: “Glow Wild is a chance to experience nature on an extraordinary scale. This evocative festive trail takes inspiration from the spirit of discovery that drives Kew’s scientists, whose work is helping us understand the natural world, uncover its hidden wonders and find solutions to the challenges facing our planet. We hope visitors leave feeling awe and wonder for the incredible world around them, that nature is a gift – and we all need to protect it.”

Voyaging from pole to pole, visitors will discover another of the trail’s standout moments in Michelle Dufaur’s Alpine flower carpet, created using 2,500 handmade petals. Inspired by the remarkable plants that survive in some of the world’s most remote environments, the installation reflects on the critical conservation work of Kew scientists to safeguard Arctic plants.

Following the scientists’ recent seed-collecting expedition to Disko Island, Greenland, the Millennium Seed Bank now houses 24 Arctic species and subspecies. With northern regions warming nearly three times faster than the global average, it’s more important than ever to protect species growing in these extreme environments.

The trail culminates with one of Wakehurst’s most impressive transformations, as the historic Mansion is illuminated by a bespoke projection from artist Amanda Duncan – her debut commission for Glow Wild. In Murmurations, birds, fish, insects, stars and seeds will dance across the building’s façade, bringing together the many natural wonders encountered along the trail and forming a breath-taking finale against the night sky.

A seamless blend of immersive technologies, including LED displays, hologauze effects and laser projections will all be intricately designed into the installations to enhance the visual spectacle for visitors.

Local community groups make a significant contribution to the Glow Wild experience, with lanterns throughout the trail and a new ‘Village of Voices’ lantern exhibition forming the closing installation. Each lantern is a personal reflection on nature’s gifts; a poignant collection that connects the landscape to its wider community.

Glow Wild trail curator Katherine Morton said: "Glow Wild also unites an extraordinary community of volunteers who give their time, creativity and care throughout the year. We’ve had the privilege of working with people of all ages and backgrounds, from art students in Brighton and climate ambassadors in Peacehaven to family support networks and the over 65s. Their work is woven throughout Glow Wild and is one of the things that makes the experience uniquely Wakehurst."

Eagle-eyed visitors will spot both a whale and a pink raven lantern on this year’s trail. These are the two winning entrants from a design competition run in collaboration with the East Sussex College group.

Glow Wild runs from November 26 to January 2, at Kew Wakehurst, Sussex. Tickets are on sale now.