Windsor Events November & December 2026: Christmas Guide

Last checked: 24 October 2026. Event details can change, so use the official organiser links below to confirm availability, prices, opening times and travel arrangements before setting out.

Windsor welcomes the festive season with a mix of royal heritage and community celebrations. From the State Apartments at Windsor Castle to the illuminated woodland of Windsor Great Park, there are seasonal experiences for families, history lovers, shoppers and theatre-goers.

November 2026: festive season begins

13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027: Windsor Great Park Illuminated

Wander through a seasonal trail of light installations, woodland scenes and illuminated displays around the Obelisk Pond. The event is based near The Savill Garden and Adventure Play car park, so plan your journey carefully: it is outside Windsor town centre.

• Dates: 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
• Entry: Timed tickets; the published entry windows are 4:30pm–10:30pm from 13–26 November and 4:15pm–10:30pm from 27 November–3 January. Last entry is 8:30pm.
• Published prices: Adults from £19.80; children aged 3–15 from £12.10; family ticket (two adults and two children) from £56.10. Check the booking page for the final price and any parking charges.
• Parking: Limited and must be booked in advance with entry tickets.
• Accessibility: Some natural woodland surfaces may be challenging for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and buggies, particularly in wet weather. Review the organiser’s accessibility guidance.

Official event details and tickets →

20 November 2026 – 10 January 2027: Jack and the Beanstalk at Theatre Royal Windsor

Theatre Royal Windsor’s 2026 pantomime brings a festive family show to the town’s historic theatre. The published programme includes performances throughout November and December, continuing into January.

• Dates: 20 November 2026 to 10 January 2027.
• Tickets: Advertised from £19.50; prices vary by performance and seating.
• Planning tip: Check the individual performance calendar, age guidance, access arrangements and any production warnings before booking.

Official show dates and tickets →

26 November 2026 – 4 January 2027: Christmas at Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle’s seasonal displays include a 20-foot Nordmann fir tree in St George’s Hall, Christmas decorations in the State Apartments and miniature festive details in Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House.

• Dates: 26 November 2026 to 4 January 2027, on published opening days. The castle is normally closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with special Tuesday openings on 22 and 29 December. Check the official calendar for exclusions.
• Advance admission: Adult £32; young person aged 18–24 £21; child aged 5–17 £16. On-the-day adult admission is listed at £36, subject to availability.
• Included: Christmas displays are included with standard castle admission.
• Visitor advice: Windsor Castle is a working royal residence, and opening arrangements can change. Check before travelling and allow time for security checks.

Royal Collection Trust: official dates, prices and booking →

“Step into Christmas and 1,000 years of royal history at Windsor Castle.”
— Royal Collection Trust, Christmas at Windsor Castle

28–29 November: Windsor Christmas Fair

Royal Windsor Racecourse hosts a Christmas shopping fair with around 150 exhibitors selling arts, crafts, fashion, design, food and drink. The organiser lists an indoor heated marquee connected to the grandstand.

• Dates and times: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November, 10am–4pm; last entry 3:30pm.
• Published on-the-gate prices: Adults £6; concessions £5; under-18s free. Online discounts may be available.
• Parking: Free on-site parking is listed by the organiser.

Visit Windsor: fair details →

28 November – 13 December: Children’s wreath-making workshops

The Savill Garden lists 90-minute seasonal workshops where children can make a Christmas wreath to take home. Places and session times may be limited, so check the organiser’s booking page before making plans.

Windsor Great Park: event listings →

December 2026: traditions, music and family activities

11 December: Carols on the Hill

This community Christmas gathering takes place by the illuminated tree near the Queen Victoria statue, against the backdrop of Windsor Castle. The programme includes carol singing, musical support from the Band of the Household Cavalry and a charity collection.

• Date: Friday 11 December 2026.
• Time: 6:15pm–7:30pm.
• Location: King Henry VIII Gate, Castle Hill, Windsor.

“Carols on the Hill is a beloved Windsor tradition, dating back decades.”
— Visit Windsor, Carols on the Hill

Official event information →

12–13 December: Windsor Castle Festive Weekend

Step into a Victorian Christmas at the Castle with seasonal crafts, storytelling, demonstrations of Victorian foods, carol singing and festive music in historic surroundings. The Royal Collection Trust lists activities from 10:30am to 3pm, included with standard admission or a valid one-year pass.

Official programme and visitor information →

Throughout December: explore Windsor’s independent shops and historic streets

Peascod Street and the surrounding town centre are useful places to browse gifts, cafés and independent businesses. If you are planning a Christmas shopping feature, confirm the dates of individual markets and participating traders before listing them as events. Not every market runs every day, and some are one-off weekend events.

Suggested festive day itineraries

A royal Christmas day

Morning: Visit Windsor Castle, allowing time for security and the State Apartments.
Lunch: Choose a café or restaurant in the town centre.
Afternoon: Browse the historic streets and shops, or enjoy a walk towards a public viewpoint of the Castle.
Evening: Attend a separately booked performance or visit Windsor Great Park Illuminated on a different day, allowing for travel to The Savill Garden.

A family festive weekend

Consider the Theatre Royal pantomime, the Castle’s festive family weekend, children’s wreath-making sessions and the Christmas Fair. Check age guidance, ticket availability, transport and accessibility directly with each organiser.

Practical tips before you visit

• Book popular attractions and timed-entry light trails in advance.
• Check official pages on the day before travelling for cancellations or changes.
• Dress for cold, wet weather, especially for outdoor evening trails and carol singing.
• Plan transport and parking in advance. The Savill Garden event car park is not in Windsor town centre.
• Check accessibility details for each venue and route, particularly woodland trails.
• Confirm ticket prices and opening days directly with organisers; prices and availability can change.

Official event links

• Visit Windsor events calendar
• Royal Collection Trust: Windsor events
• Windsor Great Park events
• Theatre Royal Windsor: what’s on

Editorial note: Event dates, ticket prices and times in this guide were checked against official listings on 24 October 2026. Organisers may change arrangements. Image credits are provided in the captions; illustrative stock images are clearly identified and are not represented as photographs of the specific events.