Illuminated Arboretum returns next week with a new route and installations capturing the spirit of 1945

On Friday 5 December, the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire will launch the latest edition of its annual winter lights trail, Illuminated Arboretum. Running until Monday 22 December from 4:30pm each evening, this year’s 1.5-mile experience offers a fresh route with new installations capturing the spirit of 1945 and sharing heartfelt Remembrance stories.

Each year, the evening event transforms the Arboretum’s 150-acre site, giving families the chance to explore the grounds in a completely new light. Colourful displays, atmospheric soundscapes and interactive features bring stories of Remembrance to life, with visitors frequently returning year after year as the experience is reimagined.

For 2025, the trail incorporates elements commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. As part of the Arboretum’s wider year-long engagement programme, ‘The year was 1945…’, the route highlights key moments linked to VE and VJ Day, including a new section through the Far East Zone, encouraging visitors to pause and reflect at the Burma Railway and other memorials.

This year also sees the continuation of the Arboretum’s Guiding Lights learning and engagement programme where schools and community groups have helped create three new art installations that will open on Friday 5 December:

• Lanterns of Remembrance – KS1 and early KS2 pupils have designed and decorated their own remembrance lanterns, forming a gentle, glowing collaborative art exhibition.
• The Forgotten Army – Developed with the Royal British Legion and artist Mahtab Hussain, this exhibition honours the 2.5 million soldiers of the British Indian Army who served during the Second World War. It features a new bronze sculpture and accompanying poster artworks produced by more than 1,000 Year 9 students.
• Remembrance In Bloom – Eighty community participants have created 30 large poppies from recycled materials during artist-led workshops. Adorned with lights, the sculptures form a poignant part of the Illuminated Arboretum route.

“Illuminated Arboretum has become a firm family favourite, with people returning year after year to enjoy this constantly evolving experience,” said Neill Martin-Hoare, Head of Events at the National Memorial Arboretum. “As the Nation’s year-round place to remember, this year we have hosted key events commemorating 80 years since VE Day and VJ Day, and we were keen to capture the spirit of 1945 within this year’s light trail.”

Visitors can expect dazzling light installations, holographic characters, immersive scenes and interactive features. Arbie the Owl will also return to guide families around the trail, sharing inspirational stories as visitors explore magical spaces.

Tickets can be purchased through the Arboretum website, starting from £25 for adults and £15 for children aged 5-15. Children under the age of five can enter for free.

The Arboretum will be offering a tasty selection of takeaway treats from the restaurant in the Remembrance Centre, with additional food and drink options available along the trail.

For those looking for a calmer experience, the Arboretum is hosting relaxed sessions at 4:30pm on evenings between 8-10 and 14-17 December. These limited availability sessions will feature reduced noise levels, fewer visitors and more muted light displays. Free sensory backpacks, including a fidget spinner and a torch, can also be borrowed from the Welcome Desk on arrival.

Tickets for Illuminated Arboretum can be purchased here. Further details on Guiding Lights can be found here.