In 2026, Kew's renowned Orchid Festival will return to liven up the winter months, which are still freezing in some parts of the world. There's nothing like flowers to cheer up your coldest and dullest days. That's their superpower! The 30th Orchid Festival, which will take place at the Princess of Wales Conservatory from February 7th to March 8th, 2026, is inspired by China's biodiversity and decades of scientific collaboration.
Honoring China's Biodiversity Through Orchids at the Kew Orchid Festival
This landmark festival, a highlight of London’s cultural calendar, draws inspiration from China’s vast landscapes, rich traditions, and extraordinary plant life – including the country’s many species of orchids.
Since its inception in 1995, the Orchid Festival has become one of Kew Gardens’ most beloved annual traditions, heralding the arrival of spring with a flourish of colour and creativity. Over the past three decades, the festival has grown from a modest horticultural display into a world-renowned event, and has explored several environments, from the rainforests of Costa Rica, the islands of Indonesia, the biodiversity of Colombia, and, most recently, the flora and fauna of Peru. The Orchid Festival has also evolved to tell exciting stories of Kew’s vital global scientific and conservation partnerships, highlighting projects which are actively supporting and driving action in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss around the world.
A China-Inspired Horticultural Display
China is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, home to an estimated 10% of the world’s known plant species and more than 30,000 native plants. There are approximately 1710 known species of orchid in China, including Cymbidium and Phalaenopsis – the main varieties used for displays in the orchid festival. As one of the most biodiverse regions of China, the festival focuses predominantly on the Yunnan province, brought to life through a series of large-scale floral installations across the Princess of Wales Conservatory.
A Chinese dragon formed from lotus seed heads, orchid plants, and dried leaves will wind across the central pond, surrounded by golden bowls overflowing with yellow and orange orchids, inspired by the ancient currency Sycee – a nod to prosperity and good fortune. Nearby, nine koi carp made from Gingko leaves and plant material will swim through a smaller pond, symbolising luck and success.
Themed Zones at the Kew Orchid Festival
The entry to the event is included when purchasing a ticket to Kew Gardens. The journey continues through themed zones: from a bamboo and orchid sculpture, to floral tributes to pandas, red pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys, and Red crowned cranes. The symbolism of Chinese New Year is brought to life, with visitors entering via a snake-inspired archway (2025 was the Year of the Snake), passing under lanterns, arches of good wishes, and a moon gate, before exiting via an archway adorned with a horse – a symbol to 2026 being the year of the horse.
Solène Dequiret, Glass House Manager of the Princess of Wales Conservatory at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, says:
“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 orchid displays to symbolic animal 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.”
The 2026 festival also celebrates more than two decades of collaboration between RBG Kew and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). A new ten-year agreement signed in April 2025 builds on shared research in conservation, ecology, and plant science, including projects such as the Mapping Asia Plants (MAP) initiative and studies of orchid diversity in Yunnan’s caves. Kew scientists continue to work closely with partners across China on research into endangered species, seed banking, and traditional medicinal plants.
Kew Science and Horticulture
Dr Rui Fang, Research Leader at RBG Kew, says:
“It’s wonderful to see China’s remarkable biological diversity and long tradition of botanical knowledge celebrated through this year’s Orchid Festival. Many of Kew’s collaborations with partners in China focus on the plants and fungi that have shaped horticulture, agriculture, and Traditional Chinese Medicine – from camellia and rosa to various forms of fungi. This festival is a reminder of how plants connect cultures, inspire scientific discovery, and hold the key to a more sustainable future.”
The Royal Botanic Gardens is dedicated to harnessing the power of plants and fungi to end the extinction crisis and secure a future for all life on Earth. With Kew’s world-leading research, global partnerships, and beloved gardens – home to the world’s most diverse collections of plants and fungi – Kew is using its trusted voice to shape policy and practice worldwide. As a charity, they rely on the critical support of their visitors, not only to sustain the gardens, but to protect global plant and fungal biodiversity for the benefit of our planet and humanity.
Orchids admission:
- Entry to orchids is included when purchasing a ticket to Kew Gardens.
- The best-value tickets can be booked in advance via kew.org.
- Visitors must book separate timed entry slots for orchids 2026 in advance
- Quiet sessions will be available on a pre-booking basis
Photo: @kewgardens
Get your tickets directly on Kew Gardens' website today!
