Kew’s 30th Orchid Festival celebrates China’s biodiversity and decades of scientific collaboration

Kew’s much-loved Orchid Festival returns in 2026 to mark its 30th anniversary, brightening up the winter months with a spectacular display inspired by Chinese heritage and biodiversity. Taking over the Princess of Wales Conservatory from Saturday 7 February to Sunday 8 March 2026, 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 showcase into a world-renowned celebration, and has explored a vivid array of environments, from the rainforests of Costa Rica, the islands of Indonesia, the vibrant 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. 

As a charity committed to understanding and protecting plants and fungi for a thriving planet, Kew’s floral displays seek to connect visitors with the beauty of the natural world and highlight the importance of plant conservation and global collaboration. This year’s focus on China, a nation of extraordinary biodiversity, reflects both the global reach of Kew’s science and the universal power of plants to inspire and connect people across cultures.

A China-inspired horticultural spectacular
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 variety 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 majestic 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 crafted from Gingko leaves and plant material will swim through a smaller pond, symbolising luck and success.

The journey continues through themed zones: from a bamboo and orchid sculpture, to enchanting 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 is 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 nod 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 Orchids displays to symbolic animals 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.”

Kew Science 
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.

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, Kew, 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 Kew relies on the critical support of its visitors, not only to sustain the gardens, but to protect global plant and fungal biodiversity for the benefit of our planet and humanity.

ENDS