Dive into all things orchid at Kew’s annual Orchid Festival, as the gardens come alive with a welcome burst of colour.
We got a sneak peek before it opens on Saturday 7 February and caught up with Visitor Programmes Manager Mark Godber behind the scenes.
Key information:
- Dates: 7 February to 8 March 2026
- 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.
What is Kew Gardens Orchid Festival?
A highlight of Kew’s calendar, the much-anticipated Orchid Festival welcomes the arrival of spring with a flourish of colour and creativity, drawing visitors into a celebration of orchids from around the world.
Each year, a different country takes centre stage, bringing fresh stories and vibrant landscapes to Kew. In 2026, the 30th‑anniversary festival turns to China, filling the Princess of Wales Conservatory with dazzling orchids, rich heritage and striking design traditions.
Visitor Programmes Manager Mark Godber, who helped shape the festival, says China was an exciting choice. Not only is it one of the most biodiverse places on Earth – home to around 10% of the world’s known plant species and more than 1,700 orchids – but it also shares a long, collaborative history with Kew.
“Lots of plants here have Chinese origins, and over the last 20 years we’ve built a strong relationship with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with plenty of scientific collaboration and students coming to study horticulture. Choosing China lets us build on that and share those stories.”
What will I see at the festival?
The exhibition celebrates Chinese tradition with plants and people at its heart, bringing the glasshouse to life with intricate orchid displays and symbolic animal sculptures. And because the yearly festival coincides with Chinese New Year, Mark tells me the team decided to fully embrace the theme.
He points out that at the entrance you’ll spot a display of a snake marking the year that’s coming to a close, and at the end, an archway topped with a horse to welcome the new one – the Year of the Horse.
As you wander beneath glowing lanterns, through arches of good wishes and a traditional moon gate, you’ll see Chinese New Year woven through every corner.
Throughout the festival, the animals of China take centre stage, including a spectacular Chinese dragon crafted from lotus seed heads, orchids and dried leaves, winding its way across the central pond.
When I ask Mark for his favourite detail, he immediately mentions the dragonfly hovering beside the huge dragon, a small touch that’s easy to overlook. “That’s what I love about the Orchids Festival, the little details hidden around!”
Elsewhere, enchanting floral tributes celebrate pandas, red pandas, golden snub‑nosed monkeys and red‑crowned cranes. And in a smaller pond, nine koi carp made from ginkgo leaves glide through the water, symbolising luck and success.
The journey continues through a series of themed zones, from a striking bamboo‑and‑orchid sculpture in the tropical areas to a dramatic cave inspired by the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, the landscape that helped inspire the scenery in the Avatar films.
Above ground, the region is home to an extraordinary range of plants found nowhere else. Below ground, specialised cave flora survive in a twilight world, recreated here as visitors wander beneath a specially constructed cave.
“The zones, and the contrast between their climates, help show just how vast China is, with so many different environments and native plants,” says Mark.
My favourite sculpture: The two pandas in the space between the zones really grab your attention. One looks as if it’s guarding the doorway with its bamboo sticks, while the other is perched high in the leaves – so realistic it feels like you’ve wandered into their own enclosure!
First look inside Kew Gardens Orchid Festival 2026
Who are the artists at the Kew Gardens Orchid Festival?
Each feature in the exhibition has been carefully crafted by Kew’s expert team alongside a group of incredible artists who’ve brought their own creativity and cultural heritage to every display.
You’ll find work by Zheng Bo, a Hong Kong-based artist with Bai Yunnanese heritage, whose practice explores material simplicity and ecological vibrancy. For the festival, he presents a series of calligraphy‑inspired artworks telling the story of five orchids longing to migrate to the ocean.
Yi Crafts, a London‑based East and Southeast Asian handcrafts studio, shines a light on traditional crafts and cuisine from China’s minority ethnic groups, sharing the unique customs and stories that inspire their work.
You can also see pieces by Xiaolan Gu, a London‑based artist from Shanghai who specialises in Chinese brush painting. She has been painting at the Princess of Wales Conservatory since 2003, and digital prints of her work form the backdrop to the Tropical Orchid Case display.
How can I get tickets to Kew Gardens Orchid Festival 2026?
Kew Gardens Orchid Festival 2026 ticket prices start from £24.
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.
Special access is available for Kew Gardens members.
When is the 2026 Kew Gardens Orchids China Festival?
The Kew Orchids exhibition runs from 7 February until 8 March 2026.
Orchids After Hours
If you’re keen to wander among beautifully lit orchid displays after dark, head to one of Kew’s late events (6.30pm-10pm on select Fridays and Saturdays) for live performances, music and delicious food and cocktails.
There’s also a Yunnan Cultural Fashion Walk by Yi Crafts, showcasing traditional clothing from Yunnan’s ethnic minority communities, with handwoven, naturally dyed fabrics shaped by landscape and culture.
Are there any quiet sessions available?
To support the needs of disabled and neurodiverse visitors, Kew offers quiet sessions every Monday from 11am to midday, with reduced capacity and easier access. Advance booking is recommended.
For full accessibility information, visit the official website.