Around every corner at the Arboretum, you’ll find a story waiting to be discovered. Join us this December for a mesmerising journey with a difference. With the night sky setting the scene, Illuminated Arboretum transforms our landscape using light, sound and colour to bring our special stories to life. It’s magical, meaningful, and memorable, and an experience that everyone will enjoy.
Something extraordinary awaits around every bend along your 1.5-mile Illuminated journey, from dazzling installations that tell important stories, to fun hands-on elements you can control and touch. This year, as we mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War, we’ll be shining a special light on pivotal moments from the year 1945.
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Entry to Illuminated Arboretum is every 15 minutes between 4.30pm and 7pm. Once you have entered the event, please feel free to spend as long as you wish exploring Illuminated Arboretum.
Off Peak dates: 5 - 11 December & 15 - 18 December
Peak dates: 12 - 14 December & 19 - 22 December
Tickets from*: Adult £20, Child (5-15 years) £12, Child (under 5) Free
View our full list of tickets and prices here.
NMA Friends and group discounts are also available. T&Cs apply.
*Advance off-peak prices, available until 30 September.
We hope you're feeling hungry - we'll be offering a tasty selection of takeaway treats which will be available to purchase from our Restaurant before you head outside.
Along the route you'll also be able to pick up fresh hot food and drinks.
The Coffee Shop will be closed during the event.
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We look forward to welcoming visitors to Illuminated Arboretum.
We have pulled together a list of all our frequently asked questions that will help you plan a visit.
Visitors with specific questions relating to accessibility can contact us in advance of their visit on 01283 245 100 or email info@thenma.org.uk.
During your visit our team will also be happy to answer any questions or queries.
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Relaxed sessions will be held at 4.30pm on evenings between 8 -10 and 14 - 17 December. Relaxed sessions will feature reduced noise levels, few numbers of visitors and more muted light displays.
To book tickets for these sessions, please call our team on 01283 245 100.
Though much of the route travels along our hard-standing pathways, the route does feature areas where pathways are more uneven or are softer underfoot, in these areas hardstanding temporary trackway has been laid.
A limited number of wheelchairs and mobility scooters available to hire. To ensure availability, they should be booked in advance by calling 01283 245 100. We respectfully ask that a donation is made for the use of a manual wheelchair; a charge of £10 applies for the hire of an electric scooter. Payment will be taken at the time of booking.
An Illuminated Arboretum Visual Guide will be available here closer to the event, once the route has been installed. Printed copies of the route can also be collected from our Welcome Desk on arrival.
Free sensory backpacks can be borrowed from our Welcome Desk. The backpacks include fidget toys and a torch - which could be helpful as the trail is outside and in the dark.
Accessible toilets are available about halfway along the route and in the Remembrance Centre, where a Changing Places Facility is also available.
Baby changing facilities are available in the Remembrance Centre.
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