There’s a familiar sense of scale — and a fair bit of ambition — behind this year’s plans at Longleat, where the theme for the 2026 Festival of Light has now been revealed.
For its latest outing, the much-anticipated event will take visitors into the world of legends. Running on selected dates from 7 November through to 10 January, the spectacle promises a mix of myth, folklore and theatrical display across the estate.
The headline attraction is a reimagined lost city of Atlantis, forming part of a 2.6-kilometre illuminated trail. Visitors will also be able to walk beneath a life-sized whale, alongside installations inspired by the Knights of the Round Table and the signs of the Zodiac.
According to organisers, more than 1,000 lanterns will be spread across the site, creating a large-scale immersive experience that has become something of a fixture in the Wiltshire calendar.
The event also marks a milestone year for the estate. 2026 sees the 60th anniversary of Longleat Safari Park, which first opened its drive-through experience in 1966.
Scott Ashman, Head of Operations, said the anniversary made this year’s theme particularly fitting. “Creating extraordinary experiences is part of what we do,” he said. “This year, guests can follow a route through mythical worlds and legendary stories brought to life in lantern form.”
Along the way, visitors can expect encounters with dragons, giants, phoenixes and other creatures drawn from folklore, alongside set pieces including Thor battling the World Serpent and the Trojan Horse.
The wider festive offering remains in place, with the Enchanted Christmas Tree show — billed as the UK’s largest singing Christmas tree — seasonal market stalls and a light display at Longleat House.
As in previous years, demand is expected to be high, particularly for add-ons such as the Santa Train experience. Advance booking is strongly advised, with ticket options ranging from full day access to twilight entry.
For regular visitors, the formula will feel familiar. For newcomers, it offers something altogether more unusual — a winter walk through a series of carefully constructed worlds, where mythology meets light on a rather grand scale.
