More than 1,000,000 lights sparkle this Christmas at Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace Illuminated Trail and story of The Nutcracker now open until January 2.

Get your Christmas sparkle on, and see Blenheim’s majestic gardens surrounded by more than a million twinkling lights, colourful trees and amazing illuminated installations, all choreographed to a soundtrack of much-loved seasonal music.

The palace state rooms are also transformed to become The Nutcracker’s fairy-tale workshops.

Plus there is a traditional Christmas Market in the courtyard with wooden chalets hosting hand-picked artisans.

The Illuminated Trail takes you across the South Lawn and into the woods beyond. See the moon and the stars reflected in the Lake while firework trees fizz with lights that flash up from the undergrowth and along the branches.

Stars and baubles appear where you least expect them with a rainbow effect in the laser garden and, for the first time in the UK, a new installation from French light artists TILT, Bloom will rise high into the night sky.

The Water Terrace fire garden and tunnel of light also return.

The story of The Nutcracker is re-imagined in the palace’s state rooms, each one transformed and filled with hidden surprises – from the toymaker’s workshop on a frosty Christmas Eve; through the glistening Land of Snow and onto the candy-cane Kingdom of Sweets adorned with the sweet treats and larger-than-life gingerbread men.

The Blenheim Palace Christmas Market runs until December 19 with traditional wooden chalets showcasing a range of festive treats from designers and artisan food and drink producers.

To find out more and for tickets visit https://christmasatblenheim.seetickets.com/raymondgubbay/christmas-at-blenheim/