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.

St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust

Christmas at Windsor Castle runs from 21 November 2024 to 6 January 2025 and 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.

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 King 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. 

Crimson Drawing Room at Windsor Castle © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust

For the first time, specially made miniature decorations will be added to the 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. The new decorations include tiny gilded-wood tree ornaments and designs inspired by 1920s embroidery and fringing, a scaled-down Christmas tree in the Hall and a garland decorating the staircase.

The Grand Staircase at Windsor Castle © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust

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. 

The centrepiece of the decorations for Christmas at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, which runs from 28 November 2024 to 6 January 2025, 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.

The Throne Room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust | David Cheskin

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.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse Gates © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust | David Cheskin

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. 

The Throne Room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust | David Cheskin

In addition, exclusive guided tours of Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse will take place from November through to January.

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the Buckingham Palace State Rooms on select dates throughout the winter. On 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. 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.

Janet Redler, Managing Director of Janet Redler Travel, said: “ The opportunity to visit His Majesty The King’s official residences at Christmas should not be missed. The residences are spectacular at any time of year, but when decked in their Christmas finery they really are unforgettable. The perfect highlight of a winter tour of Britain!”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a visit to King Charles III’s official residences this Christmas, on a tailor-made winter tour of Britain, please do contact our friendly team today. The UK's royal residences are well worth a visit on a tailor-made tour at any other time too!