The incredible Kew Gardens Orchid Festival returns this February 2025!

Swap London’s grey skies for a carnival of flora and fauna, as the annual orchid extravaganza returns to Kew Gardens to brighten your winter.
Kirstine Spicer
Written by Kirstine Spicer 31 January 2025
 © Visit London/KIrstine Spicer
Discover the richly biodiverse country of Peru through impressive orchid installations at the Kew Gardens Orchid Festival 2025. © Visit London/Kirstine Spicer

Everything you need to know about Kew Gardens Orchid Festival

  • Dates: 1 February to 2 March 2025
  • Opening times: 11am to 4pm daily
  • Location: Princess of Wales Conservatory Kew Gardens (TW9 3AB)
  • Tickets: Entry is included in the standard ticket, however you must book a separate time slot. 

Book your ticket. Book your time slot

Join us as we explore the annual orchid extravaganza as it makes a triumphant return to Kew Gardens this winter.

What is Kew Gardens Orchid Festival?

An image of macchu picchu surrounded by flowers and sculptures at kew gardens.

The much-anticipated Kew Gardens Orchid Festival is an annual celebration of flora, fauna and biodiversity. Each year a new country is selected, with experts delving into its horticulture to deliver a botanical homage of epic proportions. At the heart of it all is the orchid, which, although not always the centrepiece, ties everything together.

We got a sneak peek of the festival before it opens on Saturday 1 February and spoke to experts behind the scenes at Kew.  

What will I see at the festival?  

The exhibition, held in the striking Princess of Wales Conservatory glasshouse, whose ten different climate zones make it the perfect location for the festival, is nothing short of incredible. Its cleverly designed layout takes you on an extraordinary journey through the landscape, cultures and climates of this year’s country, Peru.

Lorna Spada, Programmes Producer at Kew Gardens, who helped to organise the creation and delivery of the festival, explains why Peru was chosen...

“Peru is home to over 3,000 species of orchids, and is one of the ten most biologically diverse countries in the world. This made it the perfect country to celebrate with Kew’s famous orchid festival. What’s more, the wildlife and culture of Peru provide a wealth of inspiration for our horticultural installations and collaborations with artists.”

A man with a pink beard hugs a plant alpaca next to a cornucopia at the Kew Gardens orchid festival 2025.

Each installation at this festival of orchids holds its own special story, with every carefully considered element offering a nod to Peruvian culture. For instance, the magnificent Cornucopia display (designed by Princess of Wales Conservatory supervisor Solène Dequiret) is a direct reference to the symbols found on the country’s coat of arms. Where gold coins would usually spill out of the horn, they are replaced with a plethora of beautiful pink and purple orchids.

Solène explains her method: “[I work] on the colours, focusing on how the patterns [of the flowers] match the type of display. For the pillars we added the colours of the flag, and for the [orchids] spilling out the cornucopia, those were closer to Peru’s rainbow mountain.”

As you venture deeper into the tropical oasis, you’ll uncover a number of impressive sculptures. Hummingbirds hover in the canopy, Peruvian bears hide among the blooms, and intricately handmade butterflies hang from the glass ceiling.

A woman stands looking up at floral butterflies at kew gardens orchid festival.

Speaking with RBG Kew Botanical Horticulturalist Jessy Challenger, she tells us that work begins about a year in advance – that's right, they’re already thinking about 2026! While the team considers the theme, Jessy gets started on what will be 12 months of harvesting fallen foliage, dry leaves and other natural materials to use in the installations.

There is plenty to see as you wander the space, but not everything is obvious to the unskilled eye. Seeking a gem hiding in plain sight, Jessy takes us to a set of pillars on the far side of the conservatory. This orchid display represents the Puya Raimondii (a type of bromeliad), known as the Queen of the Andes, which has been recreated using pineapples and orchids.

A tall pillar covered in flowers and plants next to a blue sky in a glasshouse at kew gardens.

“I know what it looks like as I’ve seen it flower,” she explains. “It’s a really fantastic plant that people wouldn’t be aware of, but one that I would love for the public to get inspired by.”

Asking Jessy what people should look out for in 2025 she tells us: “We always have a lot of textures, colour and sound, but this year we also have scent boxes!”

The scent boxes hold a recreation of a perfume found in a rare orchid that attracts a particular type of bee – the orchid bee – which then pollinate the Brazil nut tree. This year, visitors can smell for themselves why the fragrance is so enticing.

Who are the artists at the Kew Gardens Orchid Festival? 

Each feature in the exhibition has been carefully designed by the team of experts at RBG Kew and several incredible artists who have come on board to build each brilliant masterpiece. As a result, you’ll see installations inspired by Peru’s rich cultural heritage, with references to ancient traditions, folklore, and vibrant festivals.

A photograph of traditionally dressed Peruvian people among a selection of cactus.

Encounter the work of renowned Peruvian photographer Mariano Vivanco, who has worked with the likes of Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolie and Cristanio Ronaldo. Here, his large-scale photography honours the history and heritage of his homeland.

Programme Manager Lorna is particularly drawn to Lima-born artist Gisella Stapleton’s (the master behind the Visit London Paddington Bear Mural) joyful “Dancing Ladies” series, which “captures the spirit of traditional Peruvian dances and the country’s native orchids.”

A painting of a dancing ladies among floral and fauna at kew gardens.

Throughout the festival, informative panels provide fascinating insights into the artists' creative processes and the scientific principles behind the displays, helping visitors appreciate how nature and art intertwine to create these remarkable, immersive installations.

Since its inception, the festival has become one of the most celebrated horticultural events in London, with thousands of visitors flocking each year to experience the breathtaking displays.

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable celebration of nature, culture and beauty – book your tickets today and step into the vibrant world of Peru at the Kew Orchid Festival 2025! 

How can I get tickets to Kew Gardens Orchid Festival 2025? 

Kew Gardens Orchid Festival 2025 ticket prices start from £20.

Tickets are included in the standard Kew Gardens entry but must be booked in advance, so be sure to reserve your time slot early!

Book your entry ticket. Book your time slot.

Special access is available for Kew Gardens members.

When is the Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens? 

The exhibition runs from 1 February until 2 March 2025. 

Kew Gardens Orchids After Hours 

If you’re more of a night owl, you can opt to see Orchids After Hours. Join one of Kew’s late events (6pm-10pm, select Fridays and Saturdays) to enjoy live entertainment and delicious Peruvian dishes, all set against the backdrop of the beautifully lit displays. 

Are there any quiet sessions available? 

With the needs of disabled and neurodiverse visitors in mind, quiet sessions with reduced capacity and easy access are offered every Monday from 11am to midday. Advance booking is recommended.

For full information of accessibility check the official website.