The Eden Project Turns 25 this year

2026 marks 25 years since the Eden Project opened its doors fully to the public (March 17, 2026). It will be a year of celebration and special events to commemorate the educational charity’s milestone quarter of a century.

Sharing below some of the highlights to look out for at the Eden Project in 2026 for any upcoming or future pieces that these might be relevant for.

FEBRUARY – Half term – The Scarecrows’ Wedding by Julia Donaldson

From the author of The Gruffalo and Zog, Julia Donaldson’s The Scarecrows’ Wedding will be coming to the Eden Project for February half term (14 – 22 February, 2026).

The sweet children’s story, which sees two scarecrows, Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay, planning their wedding, has been animated to premiere as the BBC’s Christmas Day 2025 animation.

Aptly launching on Valentine’s Day, visitors to the Eden Project are cordially invited to the best wedding yet! Expect winding trails through the gardens and Biomes to help Betty and Harry find all the items of their list to prepare for their big day, crafty workshops and – of course – lots of dancing.

Admission: Adults from £38, children from £12, under-fives free, Universal, Pension and UK Legacy Credit £10.

Residents of Devon and Cornwall are entitled to a Locals’ Pass from £24.80 per adult, £10.30 per child – now available all year round.

 

MARCH | Eden turns 25

March 17 2026 will mark 25 years since the Eden Project opened its doors fully to visitors. Funded by the Millennium Commission, EU and South West Regional Development Fund, the charity has welcomed more than 25 million visitors* to its global gardens and world-famous Biomes.

Looking back over a quarter of a century, Eden:

• Is known for its giant covered Biomes – one of the world’s largest undercover tropical rainforests and a Mediterranean climate. They need no internal support, instead, they are made up of more than 800 geodesic shapes, primarily hexagons, which are found throughout nature to provide maximum strength with minimum effort
• Made 85,000 tonnes of its own soil, reusing contents of the clay pit as a base
• The disused clay pit in which the Eden Project is located is the size of 35 football pitches and sits 15 metres below the water table
• Welcomes more than 32,000 school children to site each year (more than 800k cumulatively)
• Is a university campus with 250 FE/HE education students studying each year
• Starred in the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day, as Gustav Graves’ ice palace
• Is heated by its very own deep geothermal energy well, a first for the UK since 1986 when it became operational in 2023
• Is home to The Big Lunch, a community initiative which sees around 10 million people take part each year and share in food, fun, conversation and, often, fundraising with over £100 million raised for good causes since 2015
• Is home to the National Wildflower Centre which creates new wildflower landscapes across the UK to support biodiversity build nature and social recovery
• 143 Eden Sessions shows to-date (2026 will see 150^th)

*Anticipated to reach 25 million visitors in January 2026

 

MARCH – Easter – Giant marble run

A giant marble run is coming to the Eden Project in March 2026, just in time for the Easter holidays. With over 100 metres of wooden runs weaving across six different locations throughout the gardens, Eden’s giant marble run is the perfect way to get out and play in nature this spring.

Rent or buy your own beautifully-carved wooden marble and follow its satisfying journey as it traverses carved gullies, descends from aerial heights and plonks down sprout trees.

Admission: Adults from £38, children from £12, under-fives free, Universal, Pension and UK Legacy Credit £10.

Residents of Devon and Cornwall are entitled to a Locals’ Pass from £24.80 per adult, £10.30 per child – now available all year round.

 

MAY | Eden Project Morecambe and RHS Chelsea Flower Show

The ‘Bring Me Sunshine Garden’ will see the Eden Project return to Chelsea Flower Show with a garden that celebrates renewal, nature and the power of young people to shape a brighter future.

Co-created with young adults, inspired by Morecambe’s dramatic coastal landscape and named in tribute to Morecambe’s own Eric Morecambe (who would be turning 100 in 2026), the garden will be transported to Morecambe after the even and will offer a first glimpse of Eden Project Morecambe.

 

JUNE – JULY | 150^th Eden Sessions live music concert – Glastonbury alternative

Looking for alternatives to Glastonbury in 2026? The Eden Project is home to the world-renowned Eden Sessions – the ultimate day festival – which will see its 150^th show take place in 2026, during the Eden Project’s 25^th year of celebrations.

World-class artists who have performed at these intimate outdoor gigs in front of the famous Biomes have included Oasis, The Who, Kylie Minogue, Amy Winehouse and Massive Attack.

Announced for 2026 so far are Snow Patrol, Becky Hill, Pixies, Bowling For Soup and Frank Turner, Bastille and The Maccabees – with more to be announced.

Cost: from £50 per show. Entry includes access to the Eden Project on the day of and day after the show.

 

How to book: visit www.edensessions.com