Beautiful Blenheim Palace Begins Festive Season with Magical Indoor and Outdoor Light Trails
The countdown to Christmas started at Blenheim Palace on Thursday, when hundreds of visitors were wowed by its stunning trails both in the Palace and outside in its iconic Gardens.
Throughout the festive period, the Palace will be surrounded by more than a million twinkling lights, colourful trees and amazing illuminated installations, all choreographed to a soundtrack of much-loved seasonal music.
It has taken a total of 400 hours to programme the Palace light show, which requires 39,206 channels of lighting control to control a seven-minute show, managed by six different control systems.
Inside, the Palace State Rooms have been transformed to become The Nutcracker’s fairy-tale workshops. There is also a traditional Christmas Market in the courtyard, with wooden chalets hosting hand-picked artisans.
Some facts and figures about this year’s Christmas at Blenheim Palace:
- 4 Firework Trees
- 1 Flying Santa Sleigh
- 80 programmed LED tennis balls
- 20,000 pixels on the Palace Batten Show
- 280 candles per night in the fire garden
- Approximately 30km of cable
- 278 Stars and 10m moon in the Constellations installation
- Christmas at Blenheim Palace – Illuminated Trail
The illuminated trail returns but follows a brand-new route that takes you across the South Lawn and into the woods beyond. View the moon and the stars reflected in the Lake – as the constellations seem closer than ever before, firework trees fizz with lights that flash up from the undergrowth and along the branches. There are stars and baubles where you least expect them, a rainbow effect in the laser garden and, for the first time in the UK, a new installation from French light artists TILT, Bloom will rise high into the night sky. With favourites like the Water Terrace fire garden and tunnel of light returning, it will be picture-perfect.
- The story of The Nutcracker re-imagined for Britain’s greatest palace
Explore the Palace’s state rooms, each one exquisitely transformed and filled with hidden surprises – from the toymaker’s workshop on a frosty Christmas Eve; through the glistening Land of Snow and onto the candy-cane Kingdom of Sweets adorned with the sweetest of treats and larger-than-life gingerbread men. It’s a fairy-tale world where nothing is quite as it seems, from a dashing Nutcracker Prince and an army of mice to a Sugar Plum Fairy and a music box with a difference. This fantastical winter wonderland is where the magic really begins….
- Welcoming the return of the Blenheim Palace Christmas Market
Taking place beneath the stunning backdrop of the baroque Oxfordshire Palace, visitors can escape the bustle of the high street and soak up the yuletide atmosphere at the Christmas Market. The traditional wooden chalets will be showcasing a range of festive treats from designer-makers and artisan food and drink producers.
Christmas at Blenheim Palace provides a special way to celebrate the festive season with an unmissable experience. The trail is designed for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
Tickets are selling fast, book now to avoid disappointment: https://christmasatblenheim.com
What: Christmas at Blenheim Palace – The story of The Nutcracker, Christmas Market and Illuminated trail
When: From: 19 November 2021 – 2 January 2022 – selected dates. For more information and opening times visit: blenheimpalace.com/christmas Christmas Market from: 19 November – 19 December 2021
Admission: Limited capacity with timed entry, early booking advised.
Combined tickets from: Adult £50, Concession: £48.50, Child (age 3-16) £30, Family £140 (2 adults & 2 children).
Parking: £10.
Annual Pass Holders*: Adult £21.50, Child (age 3-16) £15, Family £70 (2 adults & 2 children).
*Price applies for entry into the Palace before 4.00pm. Free entry for carers and children aged 2 & under.
Free entry to Christmas Market. Parking charges apply after 10.00am.
Website: https://christmasatblenheim.com mychristmastrails – #christmasatblenheimpalace
Address: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1UL
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