Birmingham Botanical Gardens

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Birmingham Botanical Gardens
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Plan your visit

Luminate Birmingham is open from November 28th - January 1st.

In order to ensure that Luminate can be enjoyed by everyone to the utmost, it has been designed as a continuous experience, with strictly fixed entry time slots, starting from 4.30pm onwards, which must be pre-booked in advance.
To ensure the enjoyment and safety of all our visitors, we allocate a set number of tickets per timeslot and would ask that all visitors adhere to their booked timeslot. Our entry time slots are every fifteen minutes from 4.30-4.45pm through to 8.00pm – 8.15pm. At certain sites, we offer later slots on popular nights (Please check the site ticketing page for more info).

For the safety and enjoyment of all our visitors, dogs are NOT permitted at Luminate Birmingham*

*with the exception of Guide dogs and assistance dogs


Car parking at the venue is very limited and restricted to blue badge holders only (Please note spaces can not be booked or guaranteed). There is however free parking available at the University Car Park (Birmingham University City South Campus) across the road (approx. 100m from the Botanical Gardens) and at Edgbaston High School next door (not on Sundays).

The Gardens can be reached as follows:

Buses: 23, 24, 1, X8, 9, X10, 12, 12A, 13, 13A, 13B, X21 and 126 all stop outside, or very close to, the Gardens. Click here to Plan Your Journey
Trams: Take the Edgbaston Village Tram to the last stop (Just past the Hagley Rd Morrisons), it is then a pleasant 8 minute walk to The Gardens
Trains: From Five Ways Station - 20 minutes walk. From Birmingham New Street Station - buses (as above) or taxi (approx. 20 minutes). Trains from London to Birmingham Moor Street | Trains to Birmingham | Chiltern Railways.
From the M40: Take M42 West to M5 then:
From the M5: Leave at junction 3 and take A456 signposted City Centre. Turn right onto B4129 (Norfolk Road) signposted Botanical Gardens.
From the M6: Leave at junction 6 and take A38(M) to City Centre. Follow underpasses signposted Birmingham West to A456. At Five Ways island turn left onto B4217 (Calthorpe Road) signposted Botanical Gardens.
Local Traffic: Follow signs for Edgbaston then brown tourist signs to Botanical Gardens.
Parking: BBG Car Park to be used strictly for blue badge holders only, at no cost. This is very limited. Parking is not available for pre-booking and will be on a first come first serve basis. Security on the car park will ask vehicles to present their blue badge in order to park their vehicle.

If a green transport method above is not available we provide very limited car parking at EHS School next door to the Gardens. This is not available on Sundays and is very limited. Parking is not available for pre-booking and will be on a first come first serve basis.

Pay & Display Parking In Edgbaston:
Up to 1 hour - £1
Up to 2 hours - £2
Up to 3 hours - £3
Up to 4 hours - £4
Up to 6 hours - £10
All day - £20


There is also on road parking on Richmond Hill Road just past the gardens after the White Swan Pub. This parking is only valid for 1 hour.

 

 

Car parking at the venue is very limited. Parking is available locally at Edgbaston School, Monday to Saturday only, and also at The University, City South Campus just across the road. Where possible, we recommend you travel to the venue via public transport.

 

Luminate is fun for everyone, from toddlers to grandpas, and perfect for romantics (we’ve had more than 30 proposals at our events —no pressure!). Swap your usual date-night or girls’ night out for something more enchanting. And hey, why not make it your office Christmas bash?





For all corporate enquiries - please email corporate@luminate.live

Please arrive no more than 15-20 minutes before your start time. However, please note that your timed entry to the trail will be strictly adhered to and we will not be able to admit you to start the trail prior to your booked timeslot.

Father Christmas won't be at Luminate, he is far too busy at this time of year making presents! But we can promise a unique and enchanting festive experience for the whole family to enjoy!

 

How do I book?

Simply go to Buy Tickets and select your chosen date & time-slot. Ensure that you check the “This is a gift” box and this will enable your gift recipient to change the date/time slot you have selected (at no extra cost). You will receive a booking confirmation email – with a detachable section to hand over to your recipient. Details of how they can transfer their date, will be included on that section.

*Please note, any changes are subject to availability and must be made at least 10 days prior to the booked session. In the unlikely event that we had to cancel Luminate all tickets purchased are fully refundable.

The trail at Birmingham Botanical Gardens is designed to be as accessible as possible, considering the natural site. It's all outdoors, with paths throughout. There's one spot where the trail crosses a short bark chipping path, which might be a bit tricky in bad weather, but we do have an alternative route for you. Some parts have inclines and declines, which might be a little challenging for those with mobility aids, especially when the weather isn't great. But don't worry, these sections all follow the permanent pathways and accessible routes around the Gardens.

We've done our best to clear any trip hazards, but since it's a country park, you might find some stones, leaves, or twigs on the path. There are also a few spots where cables cross the trail, but we've covered them with cable ramp covers.

You'll find accessible toilets along the trail.

If extreme weather makes the trail difficult for wheeled mobility aids, we're open to rescheduling your tickets to a better date when conditions improve.

We want everyone at Luminate to have a fantastic time! Our stewards are ready to help you with anything you need during your visit. Just give us a shout if you need assistance.

If you have more questions about access, feel free to email us at access@luminate.live.

A limited number of wheelchairs and scooters are available for Luminate visitors to hire please contact 0121 454 1860 to book.

The trail at Birmingham Botanical Gardens is designed to be as accessible as possible, considering the natural site. It's all outdoors, with paths throughout. There's one spot where the trail crosses a short bark chipping path, which might be a bit tricky in bad weather, but we do have an alternative route for you. Some parts have inclines and declines, which might be a little challenging for those with mobility aids, especially when the weather isn't great. But don't worry, these sections all follow the permanent pathways and accessible routes around the Gardens.

We've done our best to clear any trip hazards, but since it's a country park, you might find some stones, leaves, or twigs on the path. There are also a few spots where cables cross the trail, but we've covered them with cable ramp covers.

You'll find accessible toilets along the trail.

If extreme weather makes the trail difficult for wheeled mobility aids, we're open to rescheduling your tickets to a better date when conditions improve.

We want everyone at Luminate to have a fantastic time! Our stewards are ready to help you with anything you need during your visit. Just give us a shout if you need assistance.

If you have more questions about access, feel free to email us at access@luminate.live.

We have dedicated time slots on certain dates for our guests with additional sensory needs. These dates are:

Tuesday 2nd December 2025 @ 16.30pm - CLICK HERE
Tuesday 9th December 2025 @ 16.30pm - CLICK HERE

Your can expect:
1) Reduced capacity on the trail
2) Reduced volume of the audio
3) Your experience will feel less crowded and more relaxed.

We had an overwhelmingly positive response from our visitors who attended last year, including those with sensory needs, but hopefully by introducing a quieter and less crowded session, we can help your experience be even better.

All of our stewards are there to help make your night with us perfect. If you need any additional help on the night, please just ask one of our team. All of our team are trained to recognise the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower symbol if anybody in your party wishes to wear this whilst at Luminate.

Please look at our Access section above for further detailed information about the nature of the paths and access generally. We try not to publish too much detail about our trail in advance, as for most of our visitors, the element of surprise enhances their experience. We do, however, fully understand that for some people with sensory needs, more information about what to expect from Luminate, rather than surprises on the night, will help them to feel prepared for their experience and allow them to enjoy it all the more. We want to make your visit perfect, so if you would like some more detailed information as to the trail layout, what to expect, or if we can help in another way, please email sensory@luminate.live

Ticket prices on these nights remain the same as for the rest of Luminate. The lights will remain the same it is just the volume and capacity that are reduced. Carer tickets are available where required, pursuant to our standard carer policy. To book to attend on this session, please select the date below:

Tuesday 2nd December 2025 @ 16.30pm - CLICK HERE
Tuesday 9th December 2025 @ 16.30pm - CLICK HERE
Event FAQ's

Enjoy a magical evening stroll through our beautifully lit trail in the Botanical Gardens! Let the enchanting lights and music guide you on this 1.4km journey, which you can complete in about 45-60 minutes. Feel free to take the trail again if you'd like!
Please note, car parking isn't included with your ticket. There's limited blue badge parking available on a first-come, first-served basis, with charges applicable. Remember, this adventure is all outdoors, so bundle up in warm clothes and sturdy shoes for the chilly winter weather!
Just a heads-up, our trail doesn't feature traditional holiday decorations, and Santa won't be making an appearance—he's super busy prepping at the North Pole!

Get ready to indulge in some tasty festive treats and drinks during your visit! We'll share more details soon, but you can count on hot chocolate, tea, coffee, mulled wine, and marshmallows by the fire pit. Feel free to bring your own marshmallows, just remember the skewers!
🚫 No outside alcohol allowed—anyone caught with it will be asked to leave, no refunds.

Luminate takes place outdoors, during the winter, after dark. Luminate will go ahead whatever the weather (other than in very exceptional circumstances, if we consider it unsafe to open).
So it will be cold, dark and, on rainy days, wet! Please wrap up warmly & wear appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear suitable for winter weather.

Smoking or Vaping is not allowed on the trail

 

Follow the twinkling festoon lights along the path, and you'll never lose your way! Friendly stewards are also there along the trail to guide you, ensuring you have a smooth and enjoyable experience.

 

To keep everyone safe and having fun, please stick to the marked trail throughout your visit. Children and vulnerable adults should always have a watchful eye on them. Luminate happens in the cosy winter evenings at a lovely country estate, and areas off the trail might have hidden trip hazards. So, let's keep to the path and follow any advice from our friendly stewards.

Our team will keep an eye on trail conditions, but remember, it's a winter evening event in the great outdoors. A little extra caution will go a long way, especially when supervising kids and vulnerable adults.

Enjoy our interactive light installations—they're there for you to play with! These will be clearly marked, and our helpful stewards will be nearby to guide you. For safety and an enjoyable experience, please avoid touching other light or electrical setups, and keep an eye on the little ones.

For the safety and enjoyment of all our visitors, dogs are NOT permitted at Luminate Birmingham*
 

Our light trails feature awesome pulsating and flashing light effects, with some cool haze and smoke effects along the way. Please note, certain parts might not be suitable for those with balance disorders. If you have any concerns or need any help before your visit, feel free to reach out to us at sensory@luminate.live, and we'll be happy to assist!

If you've left something behind at Luminate, don't panic! Just shoot us an email at info@luminate.live with full details of the night and timeslot you attended and what you have lost and we will do our best to help you.

 

We really value all of our team here at Luminate. From time to time we may have some job opportunities, usually on a seasonal and casual hours basis only. If you think you could be a valuable addition to our team, please email us on jobs@luminate.live with your CV and some information about yourself.

 

Get ready to indulge in some tasty festive treats and drinks during your visit! We'll share more details soon, but you can count on hot chocolate, tea, coffee, mulled wine, and marshmallows by the fire pit. Feel free to bring your own marshmallows, just remember the skewers!
 

🚫 No outside alcohol allowed—anyone caught with it will be asked to leave, no refunds.

 

All of the trail is outside and is not under-cover. All visitors are reminded that this is an outdoor event, taking place in the winter and the weather may well be inclement. Please wrap up warm and wear appropriate outdoor winter clothing and appropriate footwear.

In many areas the lighting will be low level as part of the experience. We do encourage visitors to bring along a torch in case of an emergency but would ask, for your own enjoyment, to only use this if necessary. Please ensure that children and vulnerable adults are supervised at all times.

For your own safety and enjoyment, please at all times remain on the clearly marked trail. Follow the festoon!

We encourage you to take photographs and to share these on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #luminate.

 

Luminate is working with a number of local charities this year. For any further Registered Charity enquiries, please email charity@luminate.live

 
Ticketing FAQ's

All tickets must be pre-booked online in advance through our website.
Please - CLICK HERE for tickets.
Please remember tickets are only available directly through our website, and a limited number available through lovetovisit.com. We do not sell through any other 3rd party websites.

A family ticket covers 2 adults and up to 2 kids aged 3 to 15. Little ones aged 2 and under can join the fun for free, no ticket needed! Just make sure to buy all 4 tickets at once to grab the family ticket deal. Please note, once purchased, family tickets can't be split.

To make changes to your booking, including switching venues, just follow the steps HERE. Changes are subject to availability. We’re sorry, but we can’t modify bookings within 48 hours of the original date. If the new option costs more, you'll need to cover the difference before we can confirm the change. If your preferred choice is full, you can pick another date, timeslot, or venue, or stick with your current booking. Please note that refunds aren’t available.

Sorry, we can't offer refunds if you decide not to come because of bad weather or other reasons. We get that plans can change, so if you need to adjust your booking, you can do so more than 48 hours before your scheduled date, as long as there's space. Just Click HERE. Changes within 48 hours or less of your booked time slot are not permitted. All tickets are non-refundable. Please see our terms and conditions and cancellation policy, which all bookings are made pursuant to.
Please wrap up warm and wear appropriate winter clothing and footwear.

We are very happy, subject to availability, to help to facilitate changes to your booking. Any such changes must be requested/made more than 48 hours before you are booked to attend. To make any changes please follow the steps HERE.
Unfortunately, we can't make changes within 48 hours of your booking. If the new date, time, or venue costs more than your original booking, you'll need to pay the difference first.

If your desired new option is full, you'll need to choose another date, time, or venue, or stick with your current booking. Please note that refunds aren't available.

Yes. You must book in advance. We recommend that you book early as each timed entry slot has a fixed capacity and popular slots, early evening , weekend and closer to Christmas are likely to sell out quickly.
CLICK HERE to BUY TICKETS and avoid disappointment.

Enjoy a 10% discount on adult tickets when you book for a group of 20 or more!

Thinking of something unique for your office party this year? We’d love to help with larger party bookings and can even arrange private hire sessions or evenings, based on availability.

Interested in a corporate booking? Drop us a line at corporate@luminate.live to chat about your needs!

 

No. Tickets can only be purchased in advance online through our website.
CLICK HERE to buy tickets

Once you've booked, you'll get an automated email with all your booking details (check your junk/spam folder just in case!). You'll see an Order/Booking Number in both your booking confirmation and the email. Snap a screenshot or jot it down for check-in.

No need for printed tickets! Just bring along your Order Number or the full name of the lead booking person. Keep that info handy, and you're all set for a smooth entry!

Please don't worry, if you have already booked and not received your confirmation email or have forgotten any of the details of your booking; date, time, numbers booked for, etc, please fill in your details below and you will be sent a reminder email with the details of your original booking (please ensure that you check your email junk/spam folder for the email).
 

Booked multiple tickets and arriving separately? No worries! We can check in your group in smaller batches. Just make sure each group knows the lead booking name or has the booking order number handy when they get to the entrance.

 

Carers can join the fun at Luminate for free! 😊 Each adult or child ticket allows one carer to come along at no extra cost. No need to buy a separate ticket for your carer. Once you have booked for the rest of your party please send the order number to info@j9events.co.uk along with proof of eligibility from the list below. We will then add the carer pass to your order. Please skip purchasing a standard ticket for your carer, as these can't be refunded.

You must:

1) Have at least one full paying child/ adult in the group

2) Provide proof of eligibility (from the list below) in advance of your visit

3) Without the correct Carer ID you will be required to pay for a standard entry ticket



THE FOLLOWING ARE ACCEPTED:

  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
  • Attendance Allowance (AA)
  • Blind Persons Registration
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
  • CredAbility's Access Card with +1 symbol
  • HYNT card
  • CEA Card
  • Nimbus Card with +1
  • Transport for Wales bus pass with +1

Unfortunately, we cannot accept blue/orange badges, HANDS cards, carers passport etc.
For further clarification with regards to our carer policy, please contact carer@luminate.live.

Last entry to the trail varies depending on what timeslots are for sale. If 8pm – 8:15pm is our final timeslot for sale, last entry will be 8:15pm. The trail itself closes at 90 minutes after last entry. The exact times for your day of visit will be emailed to you 2 days beforehand

 

Make sure to arrive on time for your entry slot! Each slot has a limited capacity, and on busy nights, the following slots (or even the whole evening) might be fully booked. If that's the case, we unfortunately can't move your ticket to another time.

 

No. Unfortunately once we reach capacity for a timeslot or an entire night, that timeslot/night becomes sold out and we can not issue further tickets. Visitor numbers and capacity per timeslots are carefully managed to ensure that the enjoyment and health and safety of all of our visitors and staff are protected. We do anticipate that a number of dates and time-slots will sell-out completely. We strongly recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment. If you wish to attend at the same time as family members or friends we strongly recommend that you purchase all tickets under one booking so that you can ensure there are sufficient available tickets for your party on your preferred date/time slot, before any tickets have been purchased.

 

Unfortunately once we reach capacity for a timeslot or an entire night, that timeslot/night becomes sold out and we can not issue further tickets. You will need to select a different timeslot/night for your booking.

 

No. Unfortunately, we do not have a waiting list facility. If the Event is sold out, we can not issue further tickets. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

For general technical help with how to make a purchase online, please contact abilitynet.org.uk - a UK wide charity.
For any other general or ticketing enquiries please contact info@luminate.live.

Sorry, we can't offer refunds if you decide not to come because of bad weather or other reasons. We get that plans can change, so if you need to adjust your booking, you can do so more than 48 hours before your scheduled date, as long as there's space. Just Click HERE. Changes within 48 hours or less of your booked time slot are not permitted. All tickets are non-refundable. Please see our terms and conditions and cancellation policy, which all bookings are made pursuant to.
Please wrap up warm and wear appropriate winter clothing and footwear.

We’ve loved supporting our amazing emergency services with discounted tickets, but for 2025 we’re shifting gears! We are delighted to announce a new chapter in our journey of giving back. While we’ve loved offering discounted tickets to our incredible emergency service workers, we’re now shifting focus to make an even greater impact. We’re putting those resources straight into the community by teaming up with more local charities and community groups to bring the magic of Luminate to those in our community who might not otherwise have the chance to experience it. 

A family ticket covers 2 adults and up to 2 kids aged 3 to 15. Little ones aged 2 and under can join the fun for free, no ticket needed! Just make sure to buy all 4 tickets at once to grab the family ticket deal. Please note, once purchased, family tickets can't be split.

 

Luminate is the perfect place for your Christmas do! Fancy an office party with out the embarrassing hangover? Looking for something family-friendly and more inclusive? We have set aside a number of days for larger companies to book a private experience. Email info@luminate.live if you are interested.
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