Last updated 14 October 2026. Every date below is checked against the organiser's own page. Where a 2026 date has not been announced yet, we say so rather than guess.
Richmond at Christmas is a river town at its best: a light trail through Kew after dark, a Victorian theatre on the Green, a Stuart house dressed for the season, and carols by brazier-light at Petersham. Here is what is confirmed for 2026. (A note if you are searching: plenty of "Richmond Christmas" listings are for Richmond in North Yorkshire. Everything here is ours, by the Thames.)
Christmas at Kew
Kew Gardens · Selected dates, 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, 4.20pm to 10pm · Tickets from £25.50
The light trail through the gardens, with a Fire Garden, the Temperate House lit up and food cabins along the way. Kew is closed on some dates, including 16, 23 and 28 November and Christmas Day, and closes at 9pm on Christmas Eve. Last entry varies by gate: 7pm at Brentford Gate, 7.20pm at Elizabeth Gate, 8pm at Victoria Gate. Tickets are timed and booked through Kew, and the December weekends go first.
Jack and the Beanstalk at Richmond Theatre
Richmond Theatre, The Green · Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027
Bonnie Langford, Dr Ranj, James Hume as Dame Trot, and Basil Brush back again. Richmond's panto in a Frank Matcham theatre that has stood on the Green since 1899. Book through ATG.
The Robin's Tale at Ham House
Ham House, Ham Street · 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed 24 and 25 December
The National Trust's Christmas at Ham, inspired by a newly conserved lacquer screen. Free with normal admission, and no booking needed. The house is open 11.30am to 3.30pm and the garden 10am to 4pm. On Saturday 12 December, the Chase Bridge Community Choir sings from noon to 2pm. Parking is free in the Ham Street car park, and on a fine day Hammerton's Ferry crosses from the Twickenham side.
Christmas at Petersham Nurseries
Their Christmas 2026 brochure lists the annual Christmas Shopping and Carols Evening on 2 December, 6pm to 9pm, free to enter, with braziers lit, fairy lights and mulled wine. There are wreath-making workshops on several dates from late November, booked through Eventbrite.
Close by
Christmas in Twickenham and Teddington
See our Twickenham Christmas guide and Teddington Lights Up.
Hampton Court Palace
The ice rink from 20 November, the Festive Fayre on 4 to 6 and 11 to 13 December. See our Hampton Court Christmas guide.
Kingston Christmas Market
From 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. See our Kingston Christmas guide.
Expected, but not yet confirmed
These ran in 2025. The organisers have not published 2026 dates yet, so please check before you go.
- Be Festive Richmond, the Christmas lights switch-on, George Street. Ran on Thursday 27 November 2025, 4pm to 6pm, with the Mayor switching on at 5.45pm and the bells of St Mary Magdalene at 6pm. It is usually a late-November Thursday.
- Kew Sparkle in Kew Village, and the Kew Frost Fair at the Barn Church. Both ran in late November and early December last year.
- Carols by Candlelight at St Mary Magdalene. Ran on the Sunday before Christmas last year at 6pm.
We will update this page as the dates land. If you would rather be told, the signup at the foot of this page is one short letter a month and nothing else.
Bringing a little of it home
A late night at Kew or a matinee on the Green, and then the train home. A few things we keep for the evenings in between:
- The Woodsmoke Edit, £39.95. Three candles for the darkest weeks of the year.
- Home for Christmas Gift Set, £24.95. A village wax melt burner and a gingerbread candle that belong together on a mantelpiece.
- Lavender Wheat Bag, Gift Boxed, £17.95. Warmed and laid over cold shoulders after an evening out.
Our Christmas gift guide is grouped by what you want to spend, and the Christmas gifting collection has everything in one place. Delivery in the UK is included.
For the wider area, see Christmas markets near Sunbury-on-Thames, and what to take to a Christmas market.