Illuminate at Croft Castle

Croft castle lit up in blue light in the dark. In the foreground you can see people playing with light up hula hoops and stings of fairy lights along the path. — Make your Christmas magical with our after-dark winter lights show at Croft Castle | © Kie Cummings

Make your Christmas magical with our after dark winter lights show at Croft Castle in Herefordshire.

Illuminate 2024

Explore the wonder of the illuminated outdoors around the castle and gardens, gothic arch and the church and look for the special sparkle of our ancient trees lit up for our Christmas winter light show. Go indoors to see the castle dressed for Christmas and join us each evening for a varied programme of activity including fire performers, musicians, storytellers, choirs, and glow games for families.

After you've explored the castle and gardens, don't forget to grab a bite to eat! We will be joined by external caterers each evening, in addition to the tea-rooms serving some festive snacks and warming mulled wine.

Illuminate will be running from 6pm to 9pm on the following dates:

Friday 22 November, Saturday 23 November, Thursday 28 November, Friday 29 November, Saturday 30 November, Thursday 5 December, Friday 6 December, Saturday 7 December

Book your 2024 tickets

Booking is essential. You will need to book one ticket per person in your group (including children over 5).

Ticket prices: £6 per adult, plus normal admission. £3 per child, plus normal admission. Under 5's free.

Book your tickets

Useful information

Event ticket applies to all visitors (including over 5s and National Trust members).
Normal admission fees apply in addition to the event ticket. This can be paid on arrival at visitor reception.
Separate admission charges apply for our daytime and Illuminate offers.
Croft will be closed from 4pm to 5.30pm while we set up for Illuminate and all daytime visitors who wish to attend the evening event need to leave the property at 4pm and return during their evening ticket time slot.
Booking is essential.
Please note that tickets for this event are non-refundable and cannot be amended once purchased.

A family walking under a stone arch way, lit on either side with fairy lights and foliage — See Croft in a whole new light this Christmas | © Kie Cummings

Dates

Illuminate will be running from 6pm to 9pm on the following dates:

Friday 22 November
Saturday 23 November
Thursday 28 November
Friday 29 November
Saturday 30 November
Thursday 5 December
Friday 6 December
Saturday 7 December

Book Your tickets

What's on

Each evening there will be different performers and caterers to enjoy, in addition to the tea-room serving hot & cold drinks, mulled wine, bacon & sausage baps, soup, cakes and more. Have a look below to see what's happening each night:

Friday 22 November: Fire performance, glow games, and face painting. Food from external caterers including Origin Pizza, and festive treats and drinks from Croft's tea-room.
Saturday 23 November: Fire performance, interactive storytelling with Louby Lou, and glow games. Food from Pizza Girls and The Van Waffle Company, and festive treats and drinks from Croft's tea-room.
Thursday 28 November: Fire performance, live music from Minims Musical Theatre Choir, and glow games. Food from external caterers including The Van Waffle Company, and festive treats and drinks from Croft's tea-room.
Friday 29 November: Fire performance, Ludlow Male Voice Choir, glow games, and face painting. Food from Pizza Girls and The Van Waffle Company, and festive treats and drinks from Croft's tea-room.
Saturday 30 November: Fire performance, live music from Wye Border Singers, and glow games. Food from Pizza Girls and The Van Waffle Company, and festive treats and drinks from Croft's tea-room.
Thursday 5 December: Fire performance, live music from Choral Diversity, glow games, and face painting. Food from Origin Pizza and The Van Waffle Company, and festive treats and drinks from Croft's tea-room.
Friday 6 December: Fire performance, live music from Surgical Spirits, and glow games. Food from Pizza Girls and The Van Waffle Company, and festive treats and drinks from Croft's tea-room.
Saturday 7 December: Fire performance, Carols by Candlelight in the church, interactive storytelling with Louby Lou, and glow games. Food from external caterers including The Van Waffle Company, and festive treats and drinks from Croft's tea-room.

Family holding hands approach the gatehouse at Croft Castle, Herefordshire.

Article

Family fun at Croft Castle

Play kings and queens in the mini-castle play area or head to the natural play area, featuring stepping logs, a den building zone, and a rope swing, where the kids can unleash their wild side.