Christmas at Windsor Castle
Map & directions
By car
There is no visitor car parking at the Castle, so we recommend you use public car parks in the town centre. Details about parking can be found on www.windsor.gov.uk
By train
The nearest stations are 'Windsor & Eton Central' or 'Windsor & Eton Riverside'. Visit National Rail Enquiries for times and fares.
By coach / bus
Green Line 702 service operates daily services from Greenline Coach Station which is near Victoria station, London.
Surbiton Coaches runs a shuttle bus service between Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace from spring to autumn.
Tour companies operate excursions to Windsor Castle from many London hotels. For details, please ask your hotel concierge.
The Christmas tree in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle. ©
This winter explore the Christmas display at Windsor Castle, including the magnificent centrepiece, the 20-foot-high Nordmann Fir tree in St George's Hall, taken from Windsor Great Park and dressed with hundreds of iridescent glass and mirrored ornaments.
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the births of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 2019, the Octagon Dining Room will feature a special display of gifts exchanged between the royal couple during the many Christmases they spent together at Windsor Castle. In the State Dining Room, the table will be laid with silver-gilt pieces from the spectacular Grand Service commissioned by George IV and still used today by The Queen and her guests at State Banquets.
For adults
Make a festive start to the season with The Christmas Carol in Victorian England on Thursday, 5 December. Learn about the history of some of the carols that emerged in Victorian England, accompanied by performances from four Chapel singers in St George's Chapel.
Enter into the Christmas spirit on Saturday, 7 December when you visit Windsor Castle for A Victorian Yuletide by taking part in a variety of festive, Victorian-themed activities taking place around the Castle.
Our special Exclusive Evening Tour of the Castle is available on selected dates in December and January, and offers a 'behind-the-ropes' experience in the State Apartments.
Children making angels at Windsor Castle ©
For children
On Saturday, 7 December bring the little ones to Windsor Castle for our special festive day - A Victorian Yuletide. Listen to stories about Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's Christmas traditions, make festive decorations and dress up in Victorian costumes.
On 14 and 21 December, families can enjoy Christmas-themed arts and crafts workshops, as well as festive storytelling in the State Apartments.
Christmas carol performances in St. George’s Hall
Every Christmas, local and school choirs add to the festive cheer throughout Windsor Castle by performing carols in St. George's Hall. Please refer to the information below for the individual dates and timings of each performance this year.
- Tuesday, 3 December, 13:30 - Holyport College
- Wednesday, 4 December, 13:30 - Beaconsfield High Chamber Choir
- Friday, 6 December, 10:30 - New Maidenhead Choir
- Friday, 6 December, 13:30 - Courthouse Junior School
- Monday, 9 December, 10:30 - St. Bernards Prep.
- Monday, 9 December, 13:30 - Eton End School
- Tuesday, 10 December, 10:30 - Cookham Dean
- Tuesday, 10 December, 13:30 - Eton End School
- Thursday, 12 December, 13:30 - Tuneless Choir
Christmas tree decorations. ©
Gift ideas
You can browse for Christmas gift inspiration in the Castle shops or online, where ranges of jewellery, cuddly corgis and festive food and drink make perfect presents.
For book lovers, A Royal Christmas is the first official publication to explore the festive traditions of generations of the royal family, through more than 150 objects, photographs and documents from the Royal Collection and the Royal Archives.
Watch the Christmas tree being decorated
Our timelapse film shows the Christmas tree being decorated in St George's Hall for Christmas 2017. The film only lasts 30 seconds, but the work took over 13 hours!
