Last Updated on 28 July 2026 by Colette
Looking for a new winter illuminations event in the London area? Well, Chelsea Winter Illuminations might just be the thing for you.
As explained on the Chelsea Winter Illuminations website: “This winter, Royal Hospital Chelsea becomes home to an immersive festive experience, bringing a seasonal celebration to the heart of one of London’s most iconic heritage settings. Begin with Chelsea Winter Illuminations, a journey through an extended 1.5km light trail filled with large-scale art, interactive installations and imaginative soundscapes. Then continue the festivities at Chelsea Winter Village, a free-to-enter hub featuring a Christmas market, mulled wine & festive bars, workshops, bandstand with live performances and traditional fairground rides.”
Check out these handy links to plan your next adventure …
Having visited Christmas at Kew for a number of years I’d, well, got a bit bored of it. Is it ok to say that? It’s great, don’t get me wrong – but I’d stopped enjoying it as much as when I first started going so I’d decided to miss a few years. So when we saw this advertised, we thought we’d give it a try as a smaller alternative in the heart of London.
If you’re travelling into London especially for the festive season, it’s worth building a proper day or weekend around it — a Go City pass covers 100+ things to do in London, from the Tower of London to river cruises, which works out far kinder on the wallet than buying everything individually (leaving more budget for the sell-a-kidney trail food).
Here’s what I thought of the Chelsea Winter Illuminations
- The location is easy to find right on the River Thames at Chelsea Bridge and the entrance is well signposted. I get peeved when I walk miles out of my way to be told the entrance is back near where I started because I’ve missed a postage stamp sized sign, (this has happened) so good signage is a non negotiable especially in the dark!
- It is compact! Some of these things are humongous now, but this felt small and intimate. The smaller trail (1.5km) is great for little legs, or slightly older legs! It’s also flat and accessible all the way round.
- There’s a good selection of food and drinks in the market area and on the trail itself. As is standard, be prepared to sell a kidney if you want to feed a family of four. That said, everything we had (pizzas, Lebanese, burgers) was a high quality and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.
- The trail itself is really well thought out and uses a good mix of light and sound. There was three (maybe four) interactive stations where you got to control the lights – I don’t think I’ve seen that many opportunities in one trail before which made it feel a bit different.
- I liked how they weaved the Chelsea pensioners into the theme of the lights. This wasn’t overdone, but was well done.
- I don’t know if we were just lucky but the trail was quite quiet, which made it really nice to walk around. Perhaps it’s because it’s the first year so might not be as well known? Part of my gripe with Kew was it was absolutely mobbed but this was nice. I don’t expect it’ll stay quiet for long though!
- Teenagers moan! Next year, they will not be coming as they are at the stage that such things are “boring” and they’d rather be playing Xbox (or whatever). I love my nephews dearly but think we’ll find a different festive activity to do with them! I could see younger children really enjoying it though.
So, all in all, would I return? Yes, I think I would – although if Christmas at Kew has taught me anything, I’ll probably give it a year off before returning!
If you’re interested in visiting, you can find out more: Chelsea Winter Village – but be quick – tickets are selling fast!
You can read about more festive events in London here:
Race Across The World Christmas Special
If you have enjoyed this post and found it helpful, here are a few ways you can say thanks and support We’re going on an adventure:
Click here to buy me a virtual coffee – it’s like a little tip jar but with caffeine!
I’d love for you to tag me in any photos of your adventures on Social Media if one of my posts has inspired you to visit
Click here to leave We’re going on an adventure a Google Review
Share this post with your friends – you’ll be helping me and them!
Follow We’re going on an adventure on Facebook or Instagram
