After selling 70,000 tickets in its first year in 2017, Christmas in the Botanics has become a mainstay of the festive season, with its popular, nature-inspired light installations and visual effects.
The mile-long, after-dark trail weaves through the historic buildings and horticultural features of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The trail takes roughly 90 minutes to walk.
The Christmas event is an important fund-raiser for the popular Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RGBE), which is free to visit in daylight hours.
Botanic light trail
Each year is a little different. In 2024, the RGBE promises "flickering candles floating high into the night sky, batons of colour-changing light dancing in time, a sparkling flock of jolly robins and a sea of light that stetches out into the distance filled with all the colours of the rainbow".
Look out for Santa too, although he is unable to meet children individually.
In 2022, artists Ithaca introduced an installation called Aurora, inspired by the visual tones of the northern lights. Another light installation, "Feathers" by Pyrite Creative, features huge, UV feathers which appear to float in the trees. On the Botanics Pond, trail-walkers will found metre-tall illuminated flora of Jig Cochrane's "Lilies".
Keeping it free
While the gardens are normally free to visit throughout the day, special events like "Christmas at the Botanics" generate income for the organisation's plant research and conservation work, and help with maintaining free access to the garden year round.
In previous years, similar light events have included "Botanic Lights" which took place in October and November and the one-nighter Botanic Frights on Halloween night, 31st October.
Christmas at the Botanics Tickets
Christmas at the Botanics time slots are available for both the West Gate entrance on Arboretum Place and the East Gate on Inverleith Row, which depart at 15 minute intervals from 4.15pm to 8pm on select nights.
Off-peak times (in November and December) are slightly less expensive.
All orders (online and at on-site box office) are subject to a single transaction charge of £2.50 per transaction for E-Tickets.
Members will receive £3 off their admission ticket for Christmas at the Botanics when purchased in advance.
Family ticket: 2 adults and 2 children (aged 4-16). Infants (0-3 years) on the day of the illuminated trail and carers go free. Free tickets must be booked in advance.
Advance Tickets 2024 (Peak/Standard/Off-peak)
Adult Standard: £24/£22.50/£19
Child Standard: £18/£17.00/£13.50
Infant (0-3 Years): free *
Carer: free *
Family (2 adults & 2 children): £81/£76.00/£62
Group (15+ minimum): £21.60/£20.25/£17.10
Tickets Bought on the Day 2024 (Peak/Standard/Off-peak)
Adult: £26/£24.50/£21
Child: £20/£19/£15.50
Infant (0-3 Years): free *
Carer: free *
Family (2 adults & 2 children): £89/£84/£70
* Free tickets must be booked in advance.