Scott's Light Up the Night opens on Saturday 21 November at the Rochford garden centre: 30 evenings to 3 January, £7 for adults and children, under-2s free.

Scott’s Light Up the Night, the Christmas light trail at Scott’s of Southend garden centre in Rochford, opens on Saturday 21 November 2026 and runs on 30 evenings to Sunday 3 January 2027. Tickets are £7 for adults and £7 for children, with under-2s free, and every ticket is for a set 10-minute entry slot, booked online (Scott’s of Southend).

Overview

  • When: 30 evenings from Saturday 21 November to Sunday 3 January, 4.30pm to 8pm, last entry 7.20pm. On Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November it closes at 7pm, last entry 6.20pm.
  • Where: a polytunnel and outdoor space in the car park at Scott’s of Southend, Sutton Road, Rochford, SS4 1LQ.
  • Cost: £7 adults, £7 children, under-2s free, registered carers free with evidence.
  • Book: online in 10-minute slots through the garden centre’s DigiTickets page. Tickets on the door depend on capacity and are not guaranteed.

Every date it is open

The garden centre’s terms and conditions list the dates in full. The trail does not open every night: it is closed on most Mondays and Tuesdays, and over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays.

Month Open evenings
November 2026 Sat 21, Sun 22, Thu 26, Fri 27, Sat 28, Sun 29
December 2026 Wed 2 to Sun 6, Wed 9 to Sun 13, Wed 16 to Wed 23, Sun 27 to Wed 30
January 2027 Sat 2, Sun 3

That makes the week before Christmas the only stretch open every night, from Wednesday 16 to Wednesday 23 December. There are no sessions on 24, 25, 26 or 31 December or on 1 January.

Times: 4.30pm to 8pm with last admission at 7.20pm, except 27 and 28 November, when it runs 4.30pm to 7pm with last admission at 6.20pm. The main page describes November dates as “off-peak” with a 7pm close, but the terms name only 27 and 28 November as the short evenings, so check the time on your ticket when you book.

What is there

The garden centre describes an indoor and outdoor trail of illuminated installations and displays, with “over one million twinkling lights” and music. It is roughly half indoors, inside a polytunnel in the car park, and half outdoors. Visit Southend, the council’s tourism site, lists it for 21 November to 3 January (Visit Southend).

Essex Foodies Market sells food and drink, and Little Sisters Hair Braiding offers festive hair braiding. Both cost extra; the £7 ticket covers the trail only.

Practical points from the terms

  • Surfaces: the paths are gravel and can be uneven, wet or slippery. The organiser warns that wheelchairs, mobility scooters and heavy pushchairs may struggle, and asks visitors with access needs to contact it before booking (info@scottsofsouthend.co.uk, 01702 611211).
  • Toilets: on site, but there is no baby-changing facility.
  • Dogs: welcome, on a lead.
  • Children: under-16s must be with a responsible adult throughout.
  • Weather: it runs in ordinary rain. If a weather warning forces a closure, the garden centre aims to give 24 hours’ notice and lets ticket holders move to another date.
  • Refunds: tickets are non-refundable if you change your mind, but you can move a booking to another available date and slot through your DigiTickets account or by emailing the garden centre.
  • The shop closes first: the main garden centre shuts at 5pm Monday to Saturday and 4pm on Sundays, so do your shopping before the trail opens.

Getting there and parking

The trail is in the garden centre’s own car park on Sutton Road, Rochford, SS4 1LQ, and the terms ask drivers to follow parking signs and staff directions. No parking charge is mentioned. It is outside the city, so Southend council car park tariffs do not apply; our parking in Southend page covers those if you are combining it with an evening in town, and Southend roadworks and travel lists closures on the way.

More Christmas things to do near Southend

Our Santa’s grottos in Southend page has the grottos at The Royals, Adventure Island and Prittlewell Priory, and our Christmas lights switch-on page covers Saturday 14 November in the city centre.

Last checked 9 November 2026. If the garden centre changes a date or sells out an evening, we will update this page.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When is Scott’s Light Up the Night 2026?

It opens on Saturday 21 November 2026 and runs on 30 evenings to Sunday 3 January 2027, from 4.30pm to 8pm (4.30pm to 7pm on 27 and 28 November). It is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

How much are tickets for Scott’s Light Up the Night?

£7 for adults and £7 for children. Children under two and registered carers with evidence go free. Tickets are booked online for a 10-minute entry slot.

Can I take my dog to Scott’s Light Up the Night?

Yes. Dogs are welcome on a lead and under control.