Get ready to sparkle with over a million lights at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

The countdown to Christmas has started, and Historic Royal Palaces’ beautiful Hillsborough Castle and Gardens is getting ready to welcome its glittering Illuminated Trail this year, between 3 December and 2 January 2022.

Get your Christmas sparkle on and be surrounded by over a million twinkling lights, colourful trees and amazing illuminated installations, all choreographed to a soundtrack of much-loved seasonal classics, transforming Hillsborough’s majestic gardens into a winter wonderland, and don’t forget to look out for Father Christmas.

New Trail highlights:

Christmas Cathedral
– this much loved and much photographed installation comes to Hillsborough showering the glow of a thousand pea lights as you walk under the tall arches

River of Fire –flickering bulbs of fire cover the grass mixed with primitive fire cans and real flames

Laser Garden – immerse yourself in a sea of green lasers that dance across the path and through clouds of mist hanging in the night air

Independent street food vendors bring a delicious twist to tasty treats on offer. Complete your walk under the stars with *toasted marshmallows, a *spiced winter warmer or *hot chocolate shared with someone special.

My Christmas at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens provides a special way to celebrate the festive season with an unmissable outdoor experience and a simple gift to buy for others. The trail is designed for visitors of all ages and is accessible to all to enjoy.

Tickets are selling fast, book now to avoid disappointment: http://hrp.org.uk/christmasathillsborough  

Christmas at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens is brought to you by Sony Music in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces.  The trail is created by Culture Creative.

Admission:      Prices From: Adult £18, Child £12, Family £56 (2 adults & 2 children). 

Free entry for carers and children aged 2 & under.

Save 10% on groups of 15+ for details email groups@seetickets.com

Parking is free of charge; however, spaces are limited and must be

booked in advance along with your trail tickets.

Image Credits

Illuminated Fountain by Culture Creative, My Christmas Trails 2020. Photo by Richard Haughton © Sony Music   

Cathedral of Light by Mandylights, My Christmas Trails 2020. Photo by Richard Haughton © Sony Music

Neon Tree by Culture Creative, My Christmas Trails 2020. Photo by Richard Haughton © Sony Music

About Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Hillsborough Castle has been a grand family home and is now the official home of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and a royal residence. Members of the Royal Family stay at Hillsborough when visiting Northern Ireland.

Viewed by some as a politically neutral venue, Hillsborough has played an important role in the Peace Process in Northern Ireland since the 1980s.

In 2014, Historic Royal Palaces took over the running of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens and began an ambitious project to restore the house and gardens to its former glory. 

About Historic Royal Palaces

Historic Royal Palaces is an independent charity that manages some of the United Kingdom’s unoccupied royal palaces. These include the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace, the Banqueting House on Whitehall and Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland.

About Sony Music

Sony Music has been delivering themed illuminated trails for over eight years. Each trail is designed to showcase the natural and unique environment of the individual location and to immerse visitors into a world of light, fire and soundscape. They currently have 26 trails across the UK, Europe, USA, and Australia.

The chosen partners for national and international heritage and prestigious venues include: Blenheim Palace; The National Trust; Forestry England; The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh; Schwetzingen Palace, Germany;  Botanic Gardens, Chicago, USA and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.

mychristmastrails.co.uk | FB @mychristmastrails | Twitter @MyChristmasTrails

About Culture CreativeCulture Creative is a creative project and production management company based in the North East of England. The Company works across a wide range of cultural fields including art, sport, heritage, tourism, festivals and events, developing projects from concept to delivery. Since 2013 Culture Creative has worked closely with Sony Music to create illuminated trails in various venues across the UK and overseas.

www.culturecreative.co.uk | FB @culturecreativeltd | Twitter @CCLCreative | Instagram @culturecreativeltd


Posted on 3rd Aug 2021 | Alice