From enchanting events like Cambridge Botanic Lights and Little Robin’s Christmas Trail, to the tranquillity and winter beauty of the Garden from January to March – including a stunning Snowdrop Trail and free Winter Interest Tours. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal family activities, inspiring courses and unique gifts to make this festive season special.
Christmas closure: Tuesday 24 December 2024 – Wednesday 1 January 2025 (inclusive).
Christmas Highlights:
🌟Cambridge Botanic Lights – selected nights, 29 November to 21 December
Don’t miss the chance to experience Cambridge Botanic Lights with your favourite people! This enchanting event brings the Garden to life after dark with stunning, new installations that are unique to the Garden, along with the return of some favourites from last year such as the light tunnel and waterlilies on the Lake. The trail is kindly supported by Mills & Reeve.
🎄Little Robin’s Christmas Trail – 13 November to 23 December
A free, festive adventure for families! Join little Robin Redbreast as she explores her favourite festive plants in the Garden this Christmas season. Follow her journey, learn about the Christmas plants and make a special gift for your home. Pick up a free trail booklet at the Ticket Offices to get started.
🦉Christmas Craft – Saturday 7 December, 10am – 1pm
Bring the family for this free, festive event all about pinecones. Learn fascinating facts about these natural wonders and children will create their own pinecone owl decorations, adding a touch of woodland magic to the season! This is a free family event, but child tickets must be booked online (accompanying adults must pay normal admission). Tickets will be available one week before the event on the CUBG website.
Also, browse the Garden Shop for its range of gorgeous gifts, or enjoy a loaded hot-chocolate and tasty treat at the Garden Café.
Botanical Gift Guide:
🎁Give the Gift of Knowledge: our new range of inspiring adult courses and workshops for 2025 has just launched! From botanical writing to plant identification, garden history to photography, the programme offers something for everyone. If you’re looking to give someone special a chance to learn a new skill in the beautiful surroundings of the Garden, these courses make a perfect gift and run throughout the year.
🎁Give the Gift of Friendship: Friends’ membership of CUBG gives year-round access to over 40 acres of beautiful gardens and includes exclusive events, tours and updates from the Garden (please note that for guaranteed delivery before Christmas, applications must be received by 10 December).
🎁Give an (s)elf-care treat: with a Gift Admission voucher for a free visit to the Garden. It’s a perfect way to give someone the opportunity to enjoy some uplifting time in nature. Purchase by phone before 14 December to ensure delivery in time for Christmas!
🎁Give a Tree-mendous present: sponsor one of the Garden’s stunning trees – a unique way to celebrate or dedicate part of the Garden to someone special. Find out more by visiting our Sponsor a Tree page.
🎁Give a Garden Gift: browse the Garden shop, or visit Curating Cambridge for unique gifts inspired by the Botanic Garden including our exclusive Curator’s Gin and Americas Herbarium gin.
Winter 2025:
Discover more ways to embrace the beauty of winter throughout the Garden:
❄️Winter colour: enjoy a tapestry of textures, bold colours and uplifting winter scents on a stroll through our stunning Winter Garden throughout December to March.
❄️Free Winter Interest Tours: Sundays at 11.30am and 2pm. Join a special tour every Sunday from 12 January – 23 February, as our expert guides lead visitors through the Garden’s seasonal highlights. Tours are free with Garden admission and on a first come, first served basis. Sign up at the Garden Ticket Offices.
❄️Cosy hideaway: discover alpine, arid and tropical delights in the warmth of our Glasshouse Range.
❄️Snowdrop trail: uncover the secrets of snowdrops! Explore our free Snowdrop Trail and discover over 40 different snowdrop species and cultivars, each with its own unique charm. Wander through areas of the Garden covered in these delicate blooms, learn about the varieties we cultivate, pick up expert tips on how to grow these seasonal flowers and delve into the fascinating worlds of snowdrop science, history and folklore along the way.
Family events:
🌿Family Saturdays: enjoy monthly, free activities in the Schools’ Garden. From bird buffets and pollen prints to bee crafts and making pinecone bats, there’s something for everyone. Join us on the first Saturday of every month for plant and wildlife-themed crafts. Booking is required. See our What’s On pages closer time for the full monthly series.
🌿Twilight at the Museums: enjoy a fun-filled half term in the Garden as part of the UCM’s Twilight event happening across Cambridge. Check our What’s On pages closer to the date for exciting details of what we have planned!
