Experience a Royal Christmas: Festive Magic Awaits at Windsor Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse
The official residences of His Majesty The King open their doors for an unforgettable festive season
If you've ever dreamed of experiencing Christmas as royalty does, this is your chance. The Royal Collection Trust has just announced its spectacular Christmas programme for 2025, and it promises to be the most magical festive season yet at the King's official residences. From towering Christmas trees in historic State Apartments to exclusive after-hours tours and a first-ever Christmas shop at the Royal Mews, there's something truly special for every royal enthusiast this year.
Windsor Castle: Where History Meets Holiday Splendour
27 November 2025 – 5 January 2026
Windsor Castle, the world's oldest and largest inhabited castle, transforms into a winter wonderland that would make Queen Victoria herself proud. The festivities centre on St George's Hall, the Castle's largest room, where a magnificent 20-foot Nordmann fir tree – grown right in Windsor Great Park – will dominate the space. Imagine thousands of sparkling lights and shimmering green and gold ornaments beneath that famous vaulted ceiling, with dramatic garlands adorning the room's balconies.
But the festive magic doesn't stop there. The Crimson Drawing Room, one of those exquisite Semi-State Rooms only accessible during winter months, becomes even more sumptuous with a dazzling 16-foot Christmas tree set against rich red silk walls and gilded details.
A Miniature Christmas Miracle
Perhaps the most charming detail? Even Queen Mary's Dolls' House gets the Christmas treatment. This architectural marvel in miniature will feature a tiny Christmas tree and festive garlands, complete with ornaments crafted from glass beads repurposed from vintage necklaces and miniature candles made with real candle wax. It's the attention to detail that makes royal celebrations truly special.
For Families and Worshippers
St George's Chapel opens to Castle visitors on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with daily services welcoming all throughout the week. Advent begins on Sunday, 1 December, making this an especially meaningful time to visit this historic place of worship.
Families visiting during the Christmas holidays can enjoy Victorian-inspired arts and crafts activities where children create Christmas mementos to take home – a lovely way to remember their royal day out.
Don't forget to warm up at the Undercroft Café in the Castle's oldest section, where a special seasonal menu awaits after you've explored the festive precincts.
Palace of Holyroodhouse: Scottish Splendour with a Milestone Anniversary
20 November 2025 – 5 January 2026
At the foot of Edinburgh's iconic Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse celebrates Christmas with extra significance this year – it marks the 100th anniversary of the State Apartments first opening to the public. The atmospheric rooms receive festive decorations worthy of this historic milestone.
The wood-panelled Throne Room plays host to two majestic 12-foot Christmas trees adorned with sparkling ornaments and twinkling lights, complemented by dramatic mantle garlands. Meanwhile, in the Great Gallery – the Palace's longest room where grand balls once swirled with dancers – a 15-foot Nordmann fir takes centre stage, its glass and mirrored ornaments echoing the glittering chandeliers overhead.
Royal Traditions on Display
The Great Stair leading to the State Apartments will be festooned with garlands, berries and winter foliage, while wreaths frame the windows along the King's Rooms, offering picture-perfect views of the Palace gardens with Arthur's Seat as a dramatic backdrop.
In the Royal Dining Room – first used as such by Queen Victoria – visitors can admire a table laid with silver service, sugared fruits and seasonal foliage, a glimpse into how royal Christmas dining might have looked in centuries past.
Special Christmas Events in Edinburgh
Mark your calendars for two evenings of Christmas carol performances on 9 and 10 December. Guests can wander through the beautifully decorated State Apartments before enjoying a concert of Christmas music in the Great Gallery, concluding with wine and mince pies – a thoroughly civilized way to celebrate the season.
On 13 December, families can enjoy a Christmas activity day featuring arts and crafts alongside festive music performances.
A Royal First: The Royal Mews Christmas Shop
14 November 2025 – 5 January 2026
Here's something that's never happened before: the shop at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace transforms into a cosy pop-up Christmas shop for the very first time. This is your opportunity to browse the finest seasonal offerings from the Royal Collection Trust in the atmospheric setting of the working Mews.
What's New This Year
Royal Collection Trust shops across all residences (and online) are introducing some delightful new products for 2025. Look out for mini 20cl bottles of gin infused with botanicals hand-picked from the gardens of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle – the perfect stocking filler or hostess gift.
Also new is the "Property of the Royal Kitchen" range of kitchen accessories, inspired by the Great Kitchen at Windsor Castle, which holds the distinction of being the oldest working kitchen in the country. These practical yet elegant items bring a touch of royal heritage to your own kitchen.
Exclusive Winter Tours: Special Access When Palaces Close to Others
Throughout the winter months, Royal Collection Trust offers rare opportunities to experience these magnificent residences when they're closed to regular visitors:
Buckingham Palace East Wing Tours run on select dates throughout winter, offering guided access to the Palace's famous East Wing. Each tour includes a copy of the Official Souvenir Guide.
Windsor Castle Evening Tours take place on select November and December dates, allowing visitors to experience the State Apartments in the evening's atmospheric lighting.
Palace of Holyroodhouse Exclusive Tours in November and December reveal the magic of the Palace in its quieter moments, providing a more intimate experience of these historic rooms.
All tours are led by expert guides who bring the history and traditions of these royal residences to life.
Making Royal History Accessible to All
In a wonderful initiative, £1 tickets are available for visitors receiving Universal Credit and other named benefits, covering up to five additional household members. This applies to the full duration of the Christmas displays at both Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, ensuring everyone can experience the magic of a royal Christmas.
Planning Your Royal Christmas Visit
Windsor Castle
- Dates: 27 November 2025 – 5 January 2026
- Booking: www.rct.uk or +44 (0)30 123 7304
Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Dates: 20 November 2025 – 5 January 2026
- Booking: www.rct.uk or +44 (0)30 123 7306
Royal Mews Christmas Shop
- Dates: 14 November 2025 – 5 January 2026
- Location: Buckingham Palace
Supporting a Royal Cause
Remember, when you visit these royal residences or purchase from their shops, you're supporting a charitable cause. The Royal Collection Trust is a charity dedicated to caring for the Royal Collection and welcoming visitors to the royal palaces. Income from tickets and retail sales helps conserve this extraordinary collection – over a million objects spanning 500 years of royal history – ensuring it can be enjoyed by everyone for generations to come.
The Royal Collection represents the tastes and patronage of British kings and queens across five centuries, and remarkably, many items are still used for their original purpose in royal ceremonies and state occasions today.
Why This Christmas is Special
Whether you're drawn to the grandeur of Windsor Castle, the historic significance of Holyroodhouse's centenary celebrations, or the novelty of the Royal Mews Christmas shop, this festive season offers unprecedented access to royal traditions and splendour. From the carefully sourced Christmas trees to the hand-picked botanicals in the gin, every detail reflects the Royal Collection Trust's commitment to excellence and authenticity.
This is more than just a Christmas visit – it's an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of monarchs, experience how royalty celebrates the season, and become part of the ongoing story of these magnificent residences.
So wrap up warm, book your tickets early, and prepare for a Christmas experience fit for a king. After all, how many people can say they've celebrated Christmas in a castle where monarchs have gathered for nearly a millennium?
For the latest updates and to book tickets, visit www.rct.uk
