Christmas Events in Windsor
Windsor does Christmas properly. The lights go on along Castle Hill on Saturday 14 November, Windsor Great Park Illuminated and Windsor on Ice open the night before, and the Castle's giant trees go up from 26 November. Add a panto with Brian Blessed as the Giant, LEGOLAND in festive mode and a few very good Santas, and December fills up fast. Here's everything worth knowing for families, with dates, prices and booking links. The big ones (Illuminated, the Castle, the panto and the grottos) sell out on weekends, so book the date you want first and fill in the free stuff around it.
Quick picks
Most magical: Windsor Great Park Illuminated, a woodland light trail from 13 Nov.
Best free day out: Windsor Christmas lights switch-on, Sat 14 Nov from 1pm.
Best for a rainy day: Jack and the Beanstalk at the Theatre Royal, from 20 Nov.
The big days out
Christmas at Windsor Castle, Windsor
A 20ft tree in St George's Hall, Queen Mary's Dolls' House decorated for Christmas, and free crafts for kids on selected days. Grandparents will love it too.
When: 26 November 2026 to 4 January 2027, Thursday to Monday (plus Tue 22 and Tue 29 Dec), 10am to 4.15pm, last entry 3pm. Closed 25 and 26 Dec.
Price: Adult £32, 18 to 24s £21, child (5 to 17) £16, under 5s free when booked in advance. On the day: £36 / £24 / £18.
Ages: All ages. The Festive Family Fun days are best for 4 to 11s.
Book: Royal Collection Trust
Good to know: Festive Weekend on 12 to 13 Dec (wreath-making, choirs, storytelling) and Festive Family Fun from 19 Dec to 3 Jan (Victorian crafts and dressing up) are included in your ticket.
Windsor Great Park Illuminated, Englefield Green
A light trail through the woods near the Savill Garden. Go early in the season for cheaper tickets and shorter queues for hot chocolate.
When: 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. From 4.30pm (13 to 26 Nov) or 4.15pm (from 27 Nov), last entry 8.30pm. Timed tickets.
Price: Adult £19.80 to £31.35, child (3 to 15) £12.10 to £20.35, family of four £56.10 to £92.40, depending on the date. Under 3s free but need a ticket. Non-refundable.
Ages: All ages. Low Sensory Evening on 24 November.
Book: windsorilluminated.com
Good to know: Parking is limited and must be booked with your tickets. Use the Savill Garden car park. Buggy-friendly paths, but wrap up: it's a woodland walk in the dark.
LEGOLAND at Christmas, Windsor
Elf Training Academy, a Nutcracker marching band, LEGO Santa and more than 20 rides. Little LEGO fans will think it's the best day of the year.
When: Selected dates from 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027: 21 to 22 and 28 to 29 Nov; 5 to 6, 12 to 14, 17 to 23 and 27 to 31 Dec; 1 to 2 Jan.
Price: Park entry from £34 online (walk-up £68). Father Christmas visit add-on from £27.50 per child, with a LEGO gift.
Ages: Best for 3 to 12s.
Book:
Good to know: Book online; walk-up costs double. Parking is paid. Opening times vary, so check on the day.
Jack and the Beanstalk, Theatre Royal Windsor
Oh yes it is. Steven Blakeley is the Dame and Brian Blessed voices the Giant, so expect a lot of booming.
When: 20 November 2026 to 10 January 2027. Two or three shows most days. No shows on 25 Dec or 1 Jan.
Price: From £19.50. Family of three £85.50, family of four £110 (selected shows, box office only on 01753 853888).
Ages: All ages. Uses haze and flashing lights.
Good to know: Relaxed performances on Tue 24 Nov (1.30pm) and Wed 6 Jan (6pm). Thu 3 Dec 7pm and Christmas Eve 4.30pm are already sold out.
Lights, markets and ice skating
Windsor Christmas Lights Switch-On, Castle Hill
Choirs, kids' rides, market stalls and the panto cast flicking the switch on Windsor's biggest tree. Free, festive and very busy.
When: Saturday 14 November 2026, from 1pm, ending with the countdown.
Price: Free.
Good to know: Get there early for a view of Castle Hill. Use the train or park outside the centre.
Source: Visit Windsor
Eton Christmas Lights Switch-On, Eton High Street
Smaller and cosier than Windsor's, with a lantern procession and Father Christmas arriving with his reindeer.
When: Thursday 12 November 2026. Stalls from 5pm, lantern procession 6.30pm, switch-on 7pm, then carols.
Price: Free. The carol concert is £5 (tickets from Eton Information Centre).
Source: Visit Windsor
Maidenhead Christmas Lights Switch-On and Festive Market
When: Saturday 21 November 2026, 11am to 7pm. Main stage from 3pm, switch-on just before 6pm, then fireworks (weather permitting).
Price: Free. Funfair rides extra.
Source: Visit Windsor
Christmas Market by The Market Garden, Peascod Street
Windsor's Christmas market weekend: local growers, makers and artisan food. Handy for stocking fillers and something warm to eat.
When: Saturday 28 November 2026 (9am to 5pm) and Sunday 29 November (10am to 5pm).
Price: Free entry.
Source: Visit Windsor
Windsor on Ice, Alexandra Gardens
An outdoor rink by the river with a funfair and food stalls. Tiny Tuesdays are a gentle start for little skaters.
When: 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 (closed 25 Dec). Skating usually from 10am or 12pm until 9pm.
Price: Not yet published (UNVERIFIED). Fair wristbands sold separately.
Book: Skating tickets
Good to know: Tiny Tuesdays 10am to 1pm, Access Skating on Wednesdays 10am to 12pm, and Santa visits on selected December days (check dates on the site).
Meet Father Christmas
Santa's Grotto at Daniel, Peascod Street
A proper department store grotto, right in town. Easy to combine with a wander round the shops.
When: 21 November to 24 December 2026.
Price: £17.50 per child, including a printed photo, digital download and small gift.
Book: Visit Windsor tickets
Breakfast with Santa at Foggs, Peascod Street
When: 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 24 December 2026.
Price: Not listed (UNVERIFIED). Includes continental breakfast, babyccinos, a table visit from Santa and a small gift.
Book: Call 01753 801019.
Christmas Cracker at Odds Farm Park, near Beaconsfield
About 25 minutes from Windsor and worth the drive: a one-to-one Santa visit, a build-a-bear and a whole day on the farm.
When: Selected dates 27 November to 24 December 2026. SEN-only sessions on 28 Nov and 6, 11, 13 and 16 Dec.
Price: From £35 per person (£22 members). Every child needs a ticket, including babies.
Book: Odds Farm tickets
Santa's Secret Village at Hobbledown Heath, Hounslow
When: 28 November to 24 December 2026.
Price: Grotto (5+) from £30 per child; Toddler Santa (under 5s) from £25 per child; adults from £13.50. Includes a gift and a full day in the park. 10% early bird off most dates.
Book: hobbledown.com
Good to know: About 20 to 25 minutes from Windsor. Paid parking on site.
Christmas Family Raceday, Ascot Racecourse
When: Saturday 19 December 2026.
Price: From £29. Under 18s go free with an adult (per Visit Windsor).
Good to know: Free family entertainment and a visit from Father Christmas.
Book: ascot.com
Festive bits and bobs
Alexander Devine Santa Dash, Windsor
Run, jog or stroll 5km in a Santa suit for a local children's hospice. Medals all round.
When: Sunday 29 November 2026. Start time and place to be confirmed.
Price: Adult £20, child £10, family £50, including a Santa suit or antlers and a medal.
Book: Enthuse
Windsor Great Park Christmas Tree Shop
When: Opens 26 November 2026, until stocks run out.
Price: Norway spruce from £26, blue spruce from £36, Nordmann fir from £44. Delivery £25 locally.
Good to know: Enter via Ranger's Gate on the A332 (SL4 2JA). Bring your tree stand so they can trim the trunk to fit.
Children's Wreath-Making, The Savill Garden
When: 28 to 29 November and 12 to 13 December 2026. All sessions currently sold out, so ask about returns.
Price: £30 per child (ages 6 to 11), up to two adults free.
Source: windsorgreatpark.co.uk
Tips for Christmas in Windsor
Book the big four first: Illuminated, the Castle, the panto and your grotto. Weekend slots go first.
Go midweek for cheaper Illuminated tickets and quieter town centre streets.
Parking: Town centre car parks fill up on switch-on day and December weekends. The train to Windsor & Eton Central or Riverside is easier.
Rain plan: The panto, the Castle state rooms and the Daniel grotto are all indoors.
Coffee stop: Peascod Street has plenty, and Foggs does babyccinos.
FAQs
When is the Windsor Christmas lights switch-on 2026?
Saturday 14 November 2026 on Castle Hill, from 1pm. Eton's is on Thursday 12 November and Maidenhead's is on Saturday 21 November.
Is there a Christmas market in Windsor in 2026?
Yes. The Market Garden holds a Christmas market on Peascod Street on 28 and 29 November, and there are market stalls at the lights switch-on on 14 November.
When does Windsor Castle open for Christmas?
Christmas at Windsor Castle runs from 26 November 2026 to 4 January 2027, Thursday to Monday, with extra days in the holidays.
How much is Windsor Great Park Illuminated?
From £19.80 for adults and £12.10 for children on quieter dates, and up to £31.35 and £20.35 at peak. Under 3s go free but need a ticket.
Where can my child meet Father Christmas in Windsor?
Daniel department store on Peascod Street has a grotto from 21 November, LEGOLAND has a Father Christmas add-on, and Windsor on Ice has Santa visits on selected days. See our Father Christmas guide for more.
