Kew Gardens’ famous winter Orchid festival, which takes place this year from 3 February to 3 March, will celebrate the beauty and biodiversity of Madagascar.

Credit: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew © RBG Kew

Kew’s 28th Orchid festival draws inspiration from the unique flora and fauna of Madagascar, the world’s fourth largest island. Madagascar’s lush rainforests, tropical dry forests and over 3,000 miles of coastline will be reflected in an extravaganza of themed floral displays and living installations, created by Kew’s team of horticulturists to transform the Princess of Wales Conservatory into a colourful celebration which never fails to brighten up the winter months in London. 

A newly commissioned film showcasing the spectacular beauty of Madagascar will also be screened as part of the festival, promising to transport visitors to this unique environment. Alongside this, a bespoke soundscape will fill the Princess of Wales Conservatory with the sounds of Madagascar, evoking the ambience of this incredible island using material recorded firsthand. 

Credit: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew © Board of Trustees, RBG Kew

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, is a world-famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding collections and scientific expertise in plant and fungal diversity, conservation, and sustainable development in the UK and around the globe.

Kew’s 132 hectares of historic, landscaped gardens, and Wakehurst, Kew’s Wild Botanic Garden and ‘living laboratory’, attract over 2.5 million visits every year. Kew Gardens was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and celebrated its 260th anniversary in 2019. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has been working in Madagascar since 1986, and today has 40 researchers based at its research site, the Kew Madagascar Conservation Centre.

Credit: Ines Stuart-Davidson © RBG Kew

Across the Princess of Wales Conservatory, a series of stunning horticultural displays will celebrate the unique biodiversity of Madagascar as part of the Orchid festival. One of the most iconic symbols of the island, the Lovers Baobab, will be recreated in a breathtaking display on the waterlily pond.

Alongside this striking central installation, visitors will encounter floral sculptures recreating some of Madagascar’s most iconic wildlife, including ring-tailed lemurs, chameleons and the enigmatic aye-aye, the world’s largest nocturnal primate. Visitors will also be able to see a number of rare Madagascan orchids.

Throughout the Princess of Wales Conservatory, Malagasy music will bring the festival to life. Visitors will be able to purchase festival food, which celebrates the tastes and flavours of authentic Malagasy recipes, and Orchids After Hours returns, offering exclusive access to the Princess of Wales Conservatory after dark.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew © VisitBritain / Joanna Henderson

As well as this, visitors to the Orchid festival will also be able to enjoy a photographic exhibition in the Princess of Wales Conservatory by Malagasy photographer Tina Waibel. Tina’s images capture the daily lives of the people she meets, and the images showcase the beauty of everyday moments in rural Madagascar. 

Solène Dequiret, Supervisor of the Princess of Wales Conservatory at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew says: “It’s always rewarding for the team to plan, design and install the Orchid festival each year and for 2024 it’s wonderful to be able to draw inspiration from the incredible plant and animal life of Madagascar - an ecosystem like nowhere else on Earth.”

Janet Redler, Managing Director of Janet Redler Travel, added: “This year’s Orchid festival at Kew Gardens is sure to bring the dark winter days of February to life. The fabulous tropical displays will offer a welcome sight to visitors as they discover the magic of Madagascar.”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a visit to the annual Kew Orchid festival on a winter tour of England, perhaps as part of a trip to London, please do contact our friendly team today. Or why not enjoy a visit to Kew on one of our dedicated garden tours?