Using millions of LED lights to tell stories and make memories, the event has become a mainstay of Christmas for thousands of Hamsphire families.
“We’re storytellers, that’s what we do,” says artist designer James Smith.
“What sets us apart is that we put the story first and this year that is a total celebration of Christmas and colour. It’s Christmas to the max. There’s an overarching narrative that runs throughout the trail and each installation is a stand-alone story, like a chapter in a book.
“We listened to what our visitors told us and we learned they want Christmas and lots of it. So, whether it’s metre-high baubles with children’s designs projected on them, the photo-friendly Robin Redbreast tree, a carpet of red poinsettia flowers, or the guaranteed snow, this is Christmas… and lots of it!”
Last year, more than 72,000 people visited the uniquely magical festive trail at Romsey and this year the award-winning Hampshire-based organisers Light Up Trails are promising it will be bigger and better than ever.
“We want people to create memories here that will last forever,” adds James. “If they want to create those memories with photos, film or any other media, they absolutely can, but this is so much more than a series of photo opportunities for social media posts. Every single person who comes to visit us becomes part of the experience, part of the show, and everybody leaves with their own story to tell.
“We are theatre practitioners applying our love of story telling and craft to an immersive outdoor experience.”
This year, the festive treat follows a revamped route that takes in Hillier’s Centenary Border for the first time and as well as all-new installations such as the Magic Pathway and Chromatic Touch, visitors will find the return of established favourites like the reindeer and the smash hit Written in the Stars.
“And with a screen that’s twice the size of last year,” James explains. “Plus, there are more stations from where you can write your messages and a bigger viewing platform to watch your magical words appear in the sky.
“I can’t wait for people to find out what we’ve got lined up for them. Magic Pathway is mind blowing – you could be walking on water and watching it splash over your feet, or leaving footprints in the sand on the seashore that the waves wash away; it’s genuinely amazing, like your best ever Christmas Day walk.
“Chromatic Touch is made up of metallic touch stones that change colour when you touch them and Tunes In Motion is four 20-metre, 32-key piano keyboards that you play with your feet.
“It’s an immersive, inter-active experience from start to finish that engages all your senses in a celebration of Christmas in sight and sound.”
In keeping with the seasonal spirit of giving and in recognition of the times we live in there’s a price freeze! Off-Peak and Peak tickets are the same price as last year, but there’s a new Super Peak ticket for a number of extra special nights when the light trail is enhanced by live entertainment in association with Steamship Circus with mesmerising fire jugglers, larger-than-life characters and awesome aerial artistes on hand to elevate the Light Up experience.
What’s more, the reworked menu in the Joy Village will include more seasonal food and drink, from boozy hot chocolate and mulled wine, to tasty street food to suit all palettes, with cosy seating in the marquee or outdoors.
For more about Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens At Christmas and to book tickets, visit www.lightuptrails.com.
