The 30th annual Kew Orchid Festival, which runs in February and March, will feature horticultural displays inspired by China’s biodiversity.
Kew Orchid Festival will take over the Princess of Wales Conservatory at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and run between Saturday 7th February and Sunday 8th March 2026, with entry included with admission to the gardens.
The festival will focus predominantly on the Yunnan province of China, with large-scale floral installations celebrating the natural beauty and biodiversity of the region.
Solène Dequiret, glass house manager of the Princess of Wales Conservatory at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew said: “For Kew’s 30th Orchid Festival, we are inspired by China’s incredible biodiversity and cultural richness.
“We will celebrate Chinese tradition with plants and people at its heart, from intricate orchids displays to symbolic animals sculptures and art. It’s a joyful celebration of nature, creativity and connection during the cold winter months— and a reminder of the importance of protecting the world’s biodiversity.”
Previous festivals have celebrated the environments of other countries including the rainforests of Costa Rica, islands of Indonesia, vibrant biodiversity of Colombia, and the flora and fauna of Peru.
What to expect
Visitors can expect to see a Chinese dragon formed from lotus seed heads, orchid plants and dried leaves winding across the central pond and golden bowls overflowing with yellow and orange orchids. Nine koi carp crafted from gingko leaves and plant material will swim through a smaller pond, symbolising luck and success.
There will also be themed zones, including a bamboo and orchid sculpture and floral tributes to pandas, red pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys, and red-crowned cranes.
Chinese New Year will also be celebrated. Visitors will enter via a snake-inspired archway to mark the Year of the Snake in 2025, before passing under lanterns, arches and exiting via a horse-adorned archway - a reference to 2026 being the Year of the Horse.
Visiting Kew
Entry to the Orchid Festival will be included when purchasing a ticket to visit Kew. Groups of 15 or more can take advantage of discounted admission rates when booking together.
Private guided walking tours are available for groups with a choice of 60 minutes or 90 minutes. Tours are led by guides and explore more than 260 years of horticultural history.
Coach drop-off and pick-up is located at Elizabeth Gate and coach drivers and group organisers for pre-booked groups receive free entry to the gardens.
For more information about Kew, including the Orchid Festival, visit www.kew.org.
