Windsor Castle hosts Christmas displays from 26 November

Windsor Castle opens its Christmas at Windsor Castle programme in Windsor on 26 November 2026. The seasonal presentation runs until 4 January 2027 and brings decorations, family activities and winter access arrangements to the occupied royal residence.

Christmas at Windsor Castle begins on 26 November

Royal Collection Trust lists 26 November 2026 as the next event date for Christmas at Windsor Castle. The programme is scheduled on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with the listed period ending on 4 January 2027.

The centrepiece is a 20-foot-high Nordmann fir in St George's Hall, grown in nearby Windsor Great Park. The tree is planned with thousands of lights and green and gold ornaments, while garlands are due to appear on the Grand Staircase and in the Waterloo Chamber. The Christmas programme details also list seasonal displays in several historic rooms.

Queen Mary's Dolls' House will receive miniature decorations, including a small tree and tiny candles. The arrangement connects the large public rooms with one of the castle's permanent displays, so the event changes how several established parts of the visit are presented during the winter period.

Winter decorations meet 1,000 years of royal history

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, according to Royal Collection Trust. William the Conqueror founded it in the 11th century, and the castle has since been home to 40 monarchs. Its State Apartments, historic rooms, Semi-State Rooms, chapel and precincts form the setting for the Christmas presentation.

The seasonal display also links St George's Hall with the building's wider ceremonial role. The room is among the castle's named interiors, while St George's Chapel and Queen Mary's Dolls' House give visitors separate historical areas to see during the same visit. The official castle overview identifies these areas and records the site's long royal history.

The building has also changed through modern conservation. A fire in 1992 destroyed many rooms, and the restoration took five years, facts that place the current winter presentation within a castle shaped by both medieval foundations and later rebuilding.

Family activities extend the Windsor Castle programme

Royal Collection Trust lists further family programming at Windsor Castle in December 2026. A festive weekend is scheduled for 12 December, while Festive Family Fun is listed from 19 December. These dates sit within the main Christmas period and add activity-based elements to the decorated rooms.

St George's Chapel is part of the visitor experience on selected days, while daily services remain open to worshippers. The chapel is a working religious building within the castle grounds, so its role differs from the decorated State Apartments and family areas.

Visiting Windsor Castle: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Christmas at Windsor Castle begins on 26 November 2026 and continues through 4 January 2027 at Windsor Castle in Windsor.
• The programme concerns the visitor areas and seasonal displays, including St George's Hall, the Grand Staircase, the Waterloo Chamber and Queen Mary's Dolls' House.
• The site stands at the top of a steep hill, long distances must be covered and much of the visit is outdoors, according to Royal Collection Trust.
• Families can look for the Pug Yard Learning Centre, while St George's Chapel and the State Apartments are separate named parts of the wider castle visit.

Searching for Windsor Castle on social platforms

These links open searches for Windsor Castle on each platform.

Frequently asked questions about Windsor Castle

When does Christmas at Windsor Castle take place?

The programme begins on 26 November 2026 and runs until 4 January 2027.

What is included in the Christmas programme?

It includes seasonal decorations in areas such as St George's Hall, the Grand Staircase, the Waterloo Chamber and Queen Mary's Dolls' House, alongside family activities.

Where is Windsor Castle and how do you get there?

Windsor Castle is in Windsor, where it occupies a steep hilltop site with long distances and outdoor sections to cover.