This festive period, visitors to Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse will see the State Apartments decorated with magnificent Christmas displays, while exclusive tours will give an unforgettable experience at Windsor Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Buckingham Palace.

For the first time, miniature decorations will be added to the tiny rooms of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House at Windsor Castle, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the largest and most famous dolls’ house in the world. 

Christmas at Windsor Castle

21 November 2024 to 6 January 2025

• The highlight of this year’s Christmas decorations will be a magnificent 20-foot-high Nordmann Fir tree in St George's Hall, grown nearby in Windsor Great Park and illuminated with thousands of lights. 

• For the first time, specially made miniature decorations will be added to Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, with a scaled-down Christmas tree in the Hall as well as a garland decorating the staircase. The new decorations, including tiny gilded-wood tree ornaments and designs inspired by 1920s embroidery and fringing, will be the final stage in the year-long celebrations marking the centenary of the Dolls’ House, a 1:12 scale replica of an Edwardian residence given to Queen Mary as a gift from the nation following the First World War.

• Another sparkling Christmas tree will be found in the Crimson Drawing Room – one of the most elaborate rooms in the Castle. Part of the Semi-State Rooms created as private apartments for George IV, these rooms on the east side of the Castle are still used by members of the Royal Family for official entertaining and are open to visitors over the winter months. 

• In the Castle grounds, festive wreaths and foliage will adorn gates and lampposts while inside, garlands on the Grand Staircase will greet visitors at the entrance to the State Apartments. 

• After exploring the State Apartments, visitors can treat themselves to a festive menu in the Undercroft Café, available throughout December, where there will be another spectacular tree. 

• Families can participate in craft activities and workshops exploring how the Victorians celebrated Christmas, held at the Learning Centre every day the Castle is open between Sunday, 22 December 2024 and Sunday, 5 January 2025. 

• On Thursday, 5 December, a digital event will delve into stories of how Christmas was celebrated at Windsor Castle and Osbourne House during the reign of Queen Victoria. From family traditions to some of the delightful gifts that still remain within the Royal Collection, the details of a Victorian Christmas will be brought to life by Curator of Paintings, Lucy Peter.

• St George’s Chapel will be open to visitors to the Castle on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and daily services are open to all, seven days a week. Advent, the period leading up to Christmas, begins on Sunday, 1 December.

   

Christmas at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

28 November 2024 to 6 January 2025

• This year, the centrepiece for the decorations at the Palace of Holyroodhouse will be two magnificent, 12-foot-high Christmas trees and a mantle garland in the wood-panelled Throne Room. A glistening 15-foot-high Nordmann Fir tree and two decorated mantelpieces will create a festive atmosphere in the storied Great Gallery.

• Festive garlands, berries and foliage will adorn the Great Stair leading to the historic State Apartments, and wreaths will be hung in the windows in the enfilade of the King’s Rooms.

• Outside, festive wreaths will greet visitors at the Palace’s main entrance and front gates. The central lamppost and sides of the Quadrangle will be decorated with long garlands.

• In the Royal Dining Room, which was first used as a dining room by Queen Victoria, the table will be laid with a silver service and with sugared fruits and foliage. 

• In the Café at the Palace in the Mews courtyard, visitors can enjoy a festive menu surrounded by wreaths and garlands. Christmas-themed Afternoon Tea can also be booked in advance. 

• A programme of festive music will be performed in evening Christmas concerts by members of the Robin Chapel Choir on Sunday, 8 and Monday, 9 December, concluding with a glass of wine and mince pies. 

• For the first time on Friday, 6 December, visitors will be able to explore the Palace and see the Christmas decorations during a relaxed, accessible evening. The event is open to all, including those with autism and other neurodiverse needs, together with their siblings, families and carers, who will be able to visit after hours when the Palace is quieter. 

• On Thursday, 12 December, there will be a festive wreath-making workshop with florist and Royal Warrant-holder Lottie Longham, with an opportunity to gather inspiration from the beautiful decorations in the Palace, before learning how to make a wreath to take home. 

• A Christmas Activity Day for families will take place on Saturday, 14 December. Visitors can take in the Palace’s festive decorations and then make their own versions with ribbon wreath-making in the Great Gallery. In the Family Room, children can design their own Christmas cards to give to family and friends. All activities will be included with Palace admission. 

• On Saturday, 14 December there will be a special descriptive Christmas tour for visually impaired visitors and a BSL interpreted tour through the festively decorated State Apartments for D/deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors. 

   

Winter Exclusive Guided Tours at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse

November to January

• Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the Buckingham Palace State Rooms on select dates throughout the winter. Led by an expert guide, all tours include a copy of the Official Souvenir Guide.

• On select dates in December, visitors will enjoy an exclusive evening tour through the State Apartments at Windsor Castle, ending with a glass of English Sparkling Wine. 

• On dates in November and December, visitors can enjoy private evening tours of the State Apartments at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, taking in the magic of the Palace once the doors have closed to visitors for the day. The tours end with a glass of champagne and a mince pie.

• At the Palace of Holyroodhouse, exclusive guided family tours will take place on Saturday, 14 December and Saturday, 21 December. These fun, interactive tours are especially designed for children and families to enjoy together before the Palace doors open to the public.

   

Shopping

Browse the Royal Collection Trust shops or online at www.rct.uk/shop for Christmas gift inspiration, including the Buckingham Palace Sloe Gin, luxury British-made chinaware, handcrafted tree decorations, a new children’s range, and a 2025 calendar featuring some of the most memorable photographs ever taken of the Royal Family.

Ends

Christmas at the official residences of His Majesty The King is from 21 November 2024 to 6 January 2025 at Windsor Castle, and 28 November 2024 to 6 January 2025 at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. 

Exclusive Guided Tours are available on select dates in November to January at Buckingham Palace, in December at Windsor Castle and in November and December at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. 

More information on St George’s Chapel, including closure dates and information about services, can be found on their website here.

For more information or to register for media facilities please contact the Royal Collection Trust Press Office, +44 (0)20 7839 1377, [email protected].

Tickets and visitor information: www.rct.uk, Windsor Castle +44 (030) 123 7304, Palace of Holyroodhouse +44 (030) 123 7306.

A selection of images from Christmas 2023 at Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, as well as images of Queen Mary's Dolls' House, can be downloaded from Dropbox. Credit line: © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust, plus the photographer’s name where it is included in the file name.