From the glamour and excitement of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to the laid-back charm of the Great Comp Summer Show, our round up of this year’s best flower shows, festivals and events.
We'll be updating this article through the year so be sure to check back for what's new. Bookmark it for quick and easy re-finding!
So let's make some plans and make the most of what's going on. Here's what you've got to look forward to for 2024 and 2025:
Gardens Illustrated events and show guide 2024/2025
NOVEMBER 2024
13 November - 5 January: Christmas at Kew
The hugely popular Kew gardens Christmas light show returns for another year. The iconic Kew gardens will be lit up by over one-million lights, making it one of the brightest and most sparkling of Christmas light shows. Visitors can enjoy festive bursts of colour throughout the gardens and marvel at the beautifully illuminated Palm House. In 2024, there will be two world premieres, with Ombre by TILT which is a series of giant plants in bloom, and Threshold by Studio Vertigo is an illuminated helix-like shape bathed in golden light.
Open Selected dates from 13 November 2024 to 5 January 2025
Tickets From £25.50
Location Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE
Web kew.org
To find a display near you, take a look at our guide to 21 of the best Christmas light shows.
14 November: Photographing Gardens & Plants Throughout the Year
Focused on capturing autumn's subtle colours, tones and textures this workshop with Andrea Jones presents the opportunity to photograph a wide range of plants at Serge Hill.
Open 9:30am - 5pm
Tickets £195
Location The Apple House, Serge Hill Lane, Bedmond, WD5 ORZ
Web sergehillproject.co.uk
14 November: Create your own botanical Christmas card
Join a botanical Christmas card painting workshop at Borde Hill to get into the festive spirit. You will learn essential watercolour techniques under the guidance of Penny Sanderson to create a beautiful Christmas card.
Open 2pm - 4pm
Tickets £49
Location Borde Hill, Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1XP
Web bordehill.co.uk
16 November: Walk, draw and monoprint
Capture the beauty of Caisson Gardens through sketches and observations, turning them into unique monoprints.
Open 10am - 4pm
Tickets £95
Location Caisson House, Combe Hay, Bath BA2 7EF
Web caissongardens.com
20 November: In Conversation with Clare Foster and Andrew Montgomery
Clare Foster and Andrew Montgomery in conversation talking about their new book Pastoral Gardens with garden designer and journalist Non Morris. Tickets include a glass of Candover Brook English sparkling wine with all profits going to Maggie's Oxford Charity.
Open 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Tickets £15
Location Gaze Burvill Showroom, London, SW1W 8BG
Web tickettailor.com
21 November: Petersham gift wrapping
This class will focus on techniques of how to make simple, yet stylish sustainable home-made wrapping paper, using items that you may have around the home or in the garden.
Open 10:30am - 1pm
Tickets £95
Location Petersham Nurseries, Church Lane off Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 7AB
Web eventbrite.co.uk
26 November: Christmas wreath making workshop
Create a traditional moss-based wreath to hang on your front door with professional florist Barbara Mole in this two-hour workshop.
Open 10am-12pm
Tickets £49
Location Borde Hill, Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1XP
Web bordehill.co.uk
28 November: Festive stylish container
A morning of inspiration and advice from the horticulture team at Petersham Nurseries who will guide you through creating a festive container planting scheme using seasonal perennials, shrubs, bulbs, twiggery and foliage.
Open 10:30am - 12pm
Tickets £65
Location Petersham Nurseries, Church Lane off Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 7AB
Web eventbrite.co.uk
29 November - 1 December: Water Lane Christmas Fair
All around the site, and in the glasshouses, will be stalls from craftspeople, makers, creators and artisan food producers. There will be festive food and hot mulled drinks, to keep the chill off, available throughout the day, and the Water Lane Christmas Pantry will be fully stocked in the shop, alongside gifts and potted indoor bulbs.
Open Friday 29 6pm-9pm; Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December 10am - 4:30pm
Tickets £5
Location Water Lane, Walled Garden, Water Lane, Hawkhurst, Kent, TN18 5DH
Web waterlane.net
DECEMBER 2024
8 December: Christmas linocut printing workshop
Craft personalised holiday cards and gift wrap using traditional linocut techniques with Jemma Gunning.
Open 10am - 4pm
Tickets £95
Location Caisson House, Combe Hay, Bath BA2 7EF
Web caissongardens.com
MAY 2025
8-11 May: RHS Malvern Spring Festival
Get inspired by exploring the beautiful gardens at RHS Malvern. You'll also have the chance to enjoy tasty food and buy plants and supplies for your own garden.
Open 9am - 6pm
Tickets £16 - £45
Location Three Counties Showground, WR13 6NW
Web rhs.org.uk
20-24 May: RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Don't miss the biggest event in the horticultural calendar; the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is back this year on 20-24 May. Book tickets from October 2024 to take in the spectacular show gardens, visit the iconic Great Pavilion and browse all the inspiring exhibitors at Chelsea 2025.
Open 8am - 8pm
Tickets £38.85 - £130.85
Location Royal Hospital, Chelsea, SW3 4LW
Web rhs.org.uk
JULY 2025
1-6 July: RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
With inspiring show gardens, community-focussed allotments and Pocket Planting Gardens highlighting try-at-home ideas, this event offers plenty to see and do. Make time to enjoy live music, hear talks from leading horticulturalists, and sample the tasty street food available.
Open 10am - 6:30pm
Tickets £10.85 - £38.85
Location Hampton Court Palace, KT8 9AU
Web rhs.org.uk
16-20 July: RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse
Here's a brand new event showcasing up and coming designers, growers and local artisans, all hosted at the the Grade I listed Wentworth Woodhouse stately home in South Yorkshire.
Open 10am - 5pm
Tickets £10.85 - £35.85
Location Wentworth Woodhouse, S62 7TQ
Web rhs.org.uk
Dates TBC
RHS Urban Show
This event was launched in 2024 in Manchester, and is set to return in 2026. Check back to find out the location and dates if you're interested in informative talks, interactive workshops, immersive plant installations and plenty of inspiration for city gardens.
Web rhs.org.uk
Dates and prices correct at time of publication. Please check details for each show prior to travelling.
