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, with vendors offering festive fare like hot chocolates and snacks, and musical accompaniment along the way.
Look out for Santa too, although he is unable to meet children individually.
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 had flickering candles, batons of colour-changing light, a flock of robins, and a sea of rainbow-coloured light.
One installation mimicked a mycelium network with colour-changing lights feeding out along the ground from clusters of tiny "mushrooms". The mighty Turner oak was lit up by thousands of tiny LED pea lights.
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.
Tickets bought in advance are cheaper and off-peak time slots (usually after 5.45pm on weekdays in November and up to the week before Christmas) 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 tickets are now 2 adults and 2 children aged 3 to 16 years.
Infants (0-2 years) on the day of the illuminated trail and carers go free. Free tickets must be booked in advance.
Advance Tickets 2025
Standard (Off-Peak)
Adult £25 (£19)
Child £18.50 (£14)
Family (2 adults + 2 children) £84 (£63)
Tickets Bought on the Day 2025
Standard (Off-Peak)
Adult £27 (£21)
Child £20.50 (£16)
Family (2 adults + 2 children) £92 (£71)
* Free tickets must be booked in advance.
RGBE Members receive a £3 discount on Adult prices